Garageband freezes when I try to open the Media Browser

trying to use garage band for the first time, it freezes when I try to open the media browser

see this thread for a solution:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250009410

go to System Preferences, click on Security & Privacy, click the lock to make changes, choose the Privacy menu, scroll to Photos, place a check mark in the box next to [GarageBand].  While in the Privacy menu, be sure to check your other permissions, for Microphone, Contacts, Calendar, Automation, iTunes .app, and Finder to make sure they're checked also.  In my case, all were checked, except Photos, which is apparently the one that causes the hang.

Hello dancerkb.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

If I'm understanding correctly, you are having trouble using GarageBand on your MacBook. I will be glad to assist.

Please see this article for some steps to help:

If GarageBand for Mac won't open or play back your project

Cheers.

It was the Photos setting that was freezing GarageBand for me, so this resolved the issue.

glad to hear it, enjoy