SOCAN recently took part in the 10th annual Dégelis song and comedy festival Le Tremplin, held May 10-17, 2009. SOCAN provided an info session for all song competition participants on May 15, and presented the SOCAN Best Song Award on May 17. Alex Thériault, from Quebec City, received the award and a $1,000 cash prize for "La vie à la surface" from SOCAN member Marc Chabot and training and industry relations specialist Stéphanie Falco. Chabot, a lyricist, stressed SOCAN’s vital role in his life, noting that he only feels comfortable with a pencil and a piece of paper, and is quite happy to have his performing rights organization collect royalties on his behalf.

Falco was also a member of the finals jury on May 17, along with Noir Silence's Samuel Busque, singer-songwriter Annie Major-Matte,singer Gisèle Gaudreau-Lévesque and Annick Charrette, representing Télé-Québec, one of the festival sponsors. The winner in the singer-songwriter category was Ricardo Lamour, from Laval, Quebec. "The Festival’s 10^th anniversary celebration was very successful," Falco reported, "with impeccable organization and a welcoming atmosphere. All in all, a beautiful event."

For more information on this annual event, please visit the Tremplin website.