San Angelo Could Soon be the Next ‘Music Friendly Community’

The City of San Angelo could soon be designated a “Music Friendly Community,” which could bode well for its efforts in the arts scene and promote economic and community growth. Following San Angelo’s recognition as a Film Friendly Certified Community in 2018, Diann Bayes, Vice President of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, chose to further investigate similar designations in music and found a program through the Texas Music Office.

Photo: Facebook/Bri Bagwell

With a goal of promoting support and growth for local musical communities, this designation will help San Angelo connect with professionals in the industry, opening the door for those who are active in the art form to see the city as one that embraces the industry in every way. Bayes worked to coordinate a workshop on the initiative, which was held on January 10, 2019, and was filmed for viewing on the city’s Facebook page. This event was the first of a five-step process toward becoming a Music Friendly Community in the Texas Music Office program.

Photo: Facebook/Jon Wolfe

According to program details, the next step will be for San Angelo to establish a Music Office Liaison who will work as a conduit for constituents, local government, the convention and visitor’s bureau, economic development entities, and businesses to provide information and answer questions. Following that, the city will then register with the Texas Music Industry Directory in the Texas Music Office, and begin its work in demonstrating partnerships that foster music as a component of community development. Partnerships with music education programs are also a requirement, which will assist those of all ages in growing their interest and talents in the music industry from singing and playing as a vocation to producing, recording, designing events, and drawing music tourism to the area. Other Texas cities that have obtained the Music Friendly Community designation include Austin and San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country, Fort Worth, Denton, Conroe, Lindale, and Stephenville. According to the Texas Music Office, the cities of Corpus Christi and Dallas are also in the process of obtaining the designation.