Lending a helping hand: Regional music-industry associations can make your life as a songwriter much easier

by Jared Leon, Summer 2008

Clichéd or not, when it comes to networking and developing your career in the music business, it really is an instance of the more the merrier. And if you’re not taking advantage of your regional music-industry association, you could be missing out in a big way. Whether you’re a member of a baby band scrounging to record a reasonable demo, or a booking agency on the cusp of breaking into the big time, regional music-industry associations are dedicated to using their resources and know-how to make things easier for you. As well as providing an array of services, these associations can offer specific advice and one-on-one time that can help you get to the next level.

Below is a list of what’s available, depending on which province or territory you call home (Quebec, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Nunavut don’t have over-arching provincial music-industry associations).

Music BC
Phone: (604) 873-1914
Toll-free in B.C.: 1-888-866-8570
www.musicbc.org
Music BC offers information, education, funding, advocacy, awareness and networking opportunities, with the goal of fostering every facet of the B.C. music community.
Number of members: 3,000
Budget: $300,000
Programs

• Music BC Directory
• SchMusic BC party
• Music Industry Travel Assistance Program
• Demo Program
• Songbird West Songwriting Contest
• Showcasing opportunities
• Compilation CD
• PHD Fast Track Program (distribution program)
• Career Development Series seminars and in-house workshops

MusicYukon
Phone: Administration (867) 456-8742; Resource Centre (867) 456-2490
www.musicyukon.com
MusicYukon works on a grassroots level to help Yukon-based artists reach a point of sustainability. This includes familiarizing its members with relevant national organizations as well as offering assistance with career development, marketing and professional opportunities.
Number of members: 185
Budget: $300,000
Programs

• Business and marketing planning
• Grant/funding application writing
• Software applications like DreamWeaver, CoffeeCup, Photoshop
• Basic web design
• Content-management systems
• Electronic press kits
• Sonicbids and CD Baby discount memberships
• Computer and office machine access

Alberta Music Industry Association (AMIA)
Phone: (780) 428-3372
Toll-free: 1-800-465-3117
www.amia.ca
Alberta Music is a non-profit, service-based organization dedicated to assisting Alberta musicians and the Alberta sound-recording industry. The association provides professional-development opportunities, information, mentoring and training opportunities while also lobbying for increased community and public-sector support.
Number of members: 343
Budget: $320,000
Programs

• Bi-monthly industry-info sessions
• Annual workshops
• Grant-writing consultations

Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association (SaskMusic)
Phone: (306)-347-0676
www.saskmusic.org
SaskMusic is a recognized provincial cultural organization that aims to represent, promote and develop the four components (creative, interpretive, technical and administrative) of the Saskatchewan music industry. The association offers various programs and opportunities for artists and music professionals from across the province and for almost every genre.
Number of members: 530
Budget: $350,000-$450,000
Programs

• Artist listings and promotion
• Career consults
• SaskMusic grant program
• SaskMusic market access program
• SaskMusic imminent opportunities program
• Workshops
• Marketing and export assistance
• Networking opportunities

Manitoba Music
Phone: (204) 942-8650
www.manitobamusic.com
Rooted in the belief that “a strong music industry requires a strong music-industry association,” Manitoba Music is an inclusive organization that endeavours to facilitate the development and growth of the Manitoba music industry. It also offers the only Aboriginal music program of its kind.
Number of members: Over 700
Budget: $850,000-$950,000
Programs

• Professional-development program (workshops as well as one-on-one consultations)
• Market-access program
• Aboriginal music program
• Resource centre
• Songwriting room

Music/Musique NB
Phone: (506) 383-4662
www.musicnb.org
Music/Musique NB strives towards a self-sustaining provincial music industry through skill development, helping artists reach national and international markets, working towards greater economic return for artists and professionals as well as promoting music appreciation among New Brunswick residents.
Number of members: 700
Budget: $100,000
Programs

• Showcasing opportunities
• Education and music-industry training
• Artist managers’ program (four managers employed to help develop a roster and bring those artists to their full potential)
• Weekly newsletter
• Discounts for members for other music-industry tools and resources

Music Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 423-627
Toll free within 902 area code: 1-888-343-6426
www.musicnovascotia.ca
Music Nova Scotia has been working to develop and foster the province’s music community since 1989 through education, showcasing and lobbying. Music NS also organizes the annual Nova Scotia Music Week.
Number of members: 850
Budget: $1-million
Programs

• Workshops
• One-on-one consultations
• Export-development program

Music PEI
Phone: (902)-620-2251
www.musicpei.com
Music PEI is dedicated to advancing the careers of Prince Edward Island musicians and developing the P.E.I. music industry. This includes providing financial assistance as well as acting as an advocate and representative for the province’s music industry.
Number of members: 260
Budget: $350,000
Programs

• Targeted demo program
• Emerging-artist program
• Export-development program

Music Newfoundland & Labrador
Phone: (709) 754-2574
www.musicnl.ca
Music NL works to create and encourage opportunities that will benefit the music industry, to increase awareness of music from Newfoundland and Labrador, and to lobby the government, business and the community on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador’s music industry. Music NL has a strong focus on keeping up to date with music-industry issues in order to best serve its membership.
Number of members: 700
Budget: $500,000
Programs

• Demo program
• Market-access program
• Professional-development program
• Sound-recording program

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