Organizations That Matter to Professional Songwriters

The Canadian songwriter has access to many resources here at home. There are countless organizations working on behalf of the creators of music in this country. The following is a suggested list of resources:

Get Your Royalties…

Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada
(SOCAN) – www.socan.ca / 1-866-30-SOCAN
SOCAN is a not-for-profit collective society known as a P.R.O. (Performing Rights Organization). SOCAN licenses the public performance and communication rights for the world's repertoire of copy-protected music for Canada and administers and distributes royalties to its members and international affiliates.

Members earn royalties when their music is used in television, radio, performed live, and many other forms.

Find out how much money your performances can generate:
www.socan.ca/pdf/en/2007FinancialReport.pdf

“For a songwriter, not belonging to a P.R.O. is like leaving money on the table.” (Terry O’Brien, Education and Outreach Manager, SOCAN - West Coast Division)


The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA)
www.cmrra.ca
Formed in 1975 by the CMPA as an infrastructural body to handle music licensing in Canada. The CMRRA issues and collects revenue for 2 types of licenses, which generate income for songwriters and music publishers.

Mechanical Licensing: the reproduction of music on CD.
Synch Licensing: the use of music in film, tv and other audio-visual productions


What about Funding?

FACTOR
www.factor.ca
The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings provides assistance for Canadian artists and companies, including funding for songwriter demo recordings, touring, and business development. Since 1982, FACTOR has approved over 16,000 projects for funding with offers totaling $124,609,233*

*Check out The FACTOR Story – organizational report at factor.ca
“As we go forward, FACTOR’s mandate and commitment remain constant to the development of a strong, healthy and vibrant Canadian independent music industry both nationally and internationally.” (Heather Ostertag, C.M.– President & CEO, FACTOR)

Associations

Music BC
www.musicbc.org
BC’s provincial Music Industry Association, supporting artists and industry professionals across the province. Activities include funding programs, networking opportunities, education, resources and a registered charity helping youth fund their music education.

“Music BC is here to listen to all of the BC music communities, be their voice, and find new ways to support the needs of those music communities.” (Amanda Schweers, Executive Assistant, Music BC)

British Columbia Country Music Association
www.bccountry.com
Organizers of the annual BCCMA awards show and conference, recognizing BC’s country music artists and industry. The BCCMA have been promoting the development of the local country music community since 1975.

Western Canadian Music Alliance
www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca
Producers of annual Western Canadian Music Awards; The Alliance is an amalgamation of the Prairie Music Alliance (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta), Music BC and Music Yukon. Membership with Music BC automatically grants WCMA Membership.

National & International Scene

SAC – Songwriters’ Association of Canada
www.songwriters.ca
Member services include a Song Assessment Service from music industry professionals via mail, and the Canadian Song Vault, a song registration service formerly known as the Canadian Song Depository. Also presenting Bluebird North songwriting workshops and quarterly Songwriter Magazine.

Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA)
www.musicpublishercanada.ca
A Trade Association dedicated to promoting the interests of Music Publishers and their songwriting partners in Canada. The CMPA is actively involved in issues such as copyright reform, Canadian-Content Legislation, and private copyright tariffs.

Publish semi-annual newsletter Music Publisher Canada.

Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA)
www.cria.ca
CRIA is a national organization dedicated to protecting the interests of the creators, manufacturers and marketers of music in Canada. CRIA has made reports to the federal government in many areas such as copyright reform. CRIA’s services include:
-Issuing standard recording codes (ISRC’s), which represent the digital fingerprint on CDs or recorded music for sale.
-Compiling CD and DVD retail sales statistics in Canada.
-Issuing sales certifications (Gold and Platinum Records) for the Canada’s best-selling recordings.