Jackson Browne At The Head Of The Class

Jackson Browne has already earned himself an honorary Doctorate of Music but next week he’ll be going back to school to head a master class at The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The academy, which is located off-campus in Oklahoma City’s historic Bricktown district, is the U.S. branch of Britain’s Academy of Contemporary Music. Students can earn two-year associate degrees in the following areas: performance (guitar, bass, drums, vocal or keyboards), music production or music business.

Browne’s master class will be held on Monday, Nov. 22.

Photo: James Hendershot

Pier Six Pavilion, Baltimore, Md.

ACM@UCO master classes are moderated by the school’s CEO and The Flaming Lips manager Scott Booker.

The academy, which first opened its doors in August 2009, was started by Booker and Flaming Lips guitarist Steven Drozd, according to NPR.org.

“The idea here is not that we’re just a school of rock,” Booker told NPR in an interview last year. “The idea behind this program is really as much about business and learning how the industry works while you’re learning to play better.”

Country singer-songwriter Bryan White will visit the academy on Dec. 6 to teach his own master class.

Previous master classes have featured Drozd, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, The Mountain Goats, and Local Natives.

Earlier this year ACM@UCO opened its own live music venue in Oklahoma City. The academy also kicked off its Industry Link program, which invites music industry professionals to the campus to consult with students on careers in the industry.

Click here for Jackson Browne’s website.

Click here for the Academy Of Contemporary Music’s website.

Click here for the NPR.com story.