Department of Sound to Present its First-Ever Sound Business Summit & Calls Out for Aspiring Musicians Interested in “Making Money with Music”

Department of Sound, a creative economy initiative supported by the City of Sacramento’s Office of Arts and Culture, will host its first-ever Sound Business Summit, a weeklong series of six free workshops taking place November 10–15, 2025. The summit will include sessions such as “Making Money with Music” led by author and industry expert Randy Chertkow. The primary goal of the Summit is to provide aspiring local musicians (of any genre) with practical knowledge and key connections that will result in measurable and meaningful economic outcomes.

Each evening will offer an identical curriculum highlighted by Randy Chertkow musician, journalist, public speaker, instructor and author of the acclaimed book Making Money with Music. Participants will also receive year-long access to the Making Money With Music course on the CCE Learning Hub.

“Sacramento is home to an extraordinary number of working artists—it’s time we back them to thrive,” said J. Hamilton Hodgson, Co-Founder & CEO of Department of Sound. “With the inaugural Sound Business Summit, we’re focusing on artists ‘on the cusp’ and giving them practical tools around royalties, licensing, live-show strategy, merch, and more so their creative businesses can grow. This reflects Department of Sound’s mission to make music education and opportunity accessible for our community—because when artists are supported, it strengthens the cultural fabric of our city and keeps creative dollars here at home.”

Artists 18 years or older who reside in the City of Sacramento are eligible and encouraged to apply at www.deptofsound.org/summit (choose all dates you can attend). Space is limited to 18 attendees per session and a waitlist will be offered, if needed. Participants will be selected through a fair and transparent review process, to employ a lottery system, if necessary.

The Sound Business Summit’s free workshops will be hosted at Shattered Records (2010 Alhambra Blvd.) in Midtown Sacramento. For more information about the Sound Business Summit or Department of Sound, please visit www.deptofsound.org.