News Article

Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference
Music PEI, the music industry association for Prince Edward Island, is excited to announce the third annual Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference, a unique opportunity for music industry professionals from around the world to gather and collaborate in a celebration of music on Prince Edward Island. The conference will take place at the Canadian Song Conference host hotel, The Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, from May 10th to the 13th.

There has been a great history of Bell Aliant supporting the East Coast music industry in general which helps develop new artists and builds the industry here. Indeed, Bell Aliant has been a longtime supporter of Music PEI and the title sponsor of the Canadian Song Conference since inception.

The Bell Aliant Canadian Song Conference is a gathering of world-class music industry professionals to share experience and expertise on what is a booming business here on Prince Edward Island. With the help of Music PEI, there has been a 400% increase in the number of internationally touring Island artists since the organization began operations. Apparently, the world is catching on to the fact that this little province is a hotbed of musical talent!

These industry experts are grouped into panels and workshops to deliver a wealth of information on varying topics pertaining to the business of music, with a focus on how to develop and maintain multiple revenue streams with the music you create. Other topics include maximising the benefits of social media, live sound production, music streaming services, contract negotiations, funding applications, creating a five-minute pitch and many more. Kaneshii Vinyl Press, PEI’s first vinyl manufacturer, will also be making a presentation. One on one business meetings and listening sessions for artists and delegates are another part of the conference program.

Another important component to the Song Conference is the Canadian Songwriter Challenge. This project is supported by Bell Media and the Canadian Coalition of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA) as well as Sask Music, Music Ontario and Music Nova Scotia. Music PEI invites four musicians from other provincial Music Industry Associations here and pair each up with an Island artist. Each duo is hosted in a local recording studio for two intense days of collaboration. The goal is to write and record two songs from each pairing which are then presented in a listening session to the conference industry professionals which include Music Supervisors, music publishers, labels, musician rights organisations and more.

Anyone involved in the business of music, either artists or industry professionals, should truly do themselves the favor of attending as many of these panels as possible. They are both educational and offer business opportunities. Of course, with the Music PEI May Run Music Festival happening simultaneously, there will be distractions – and some great ones, it should be added.

The May Run Music Festival is PEI’s largest celebration of Island music. Over 40 acts will perform at 15 different musical events featured at venues all across this beautiful Island, ensuring something for everyone. The May Run also features the presentation of the Music PEI awards, recognizing achievement in the music industry. For a full lineup of events, please visit www.mayrunmusicfest.com. The conference website is www.cansongcon.com.

For more information contact:
Rob Oakie
[email protected]

Conference Schedule

Tuesday and Wednesday-
All day Canadian Songwriter Challenge co writing sessions.

Wednesday, May 10
2:00PM – 2:45PM Get Your Bearings – conference orientation

3:00PM – 3:45PM Consciousness of Revenue Streams – exploring different ways to make money with your music.

4:00PM – 4:45PM Chasing Digital Dollars – tracking your earnings for online streaming

5:00PM – 5:45PM Kaneshii Vinyl Press – The art of vinyl pressing

7:00PM – 8:30PM Kick-off Network Reception presented by CFM @ the Pourhouse

Thursday, May 11
9:30AM- 11:25AM LISTENING SESSIONS- Music PEI is creating a unique opportunity for PEI artists to present their recorded music under controlled conditions to the CSC delegates in 15 minute presentations.

2PM – 3:45PM Creative Songwriting Workshop – Learn tips and ideas from a master songwriter

4PM – 4:45PM Know Your Rights – protecting your intellectual property

5PM – 5:45PM Crowdfunding – a way to collaborate with the public to complete your projects

Friday, May 12
9:30AM- 11:05AM Canadian Songwriter Challenge LISTENING SESSION – The participants of the Canadian Songwriter Challenge will present their new songs to the delegates.

12:30PM – 2PM 1 on 1 Meetings – a series of 10 minute one on one business meetings arranged by Music PEI between our members and the conference delegates.

3PM – 3:45PM Access Granted: Considerations for creating Funding Applications

4PM – 4:45PM Sneak Peek: Composing Music For Trailers

5PM – 5:45PM Brand Spankin News – digital marketing and branding

Saturday, May 13
10AM – 10:45AM In The Loop – Producing, Mixing, and Mastering your music

11AM – 12PM Elevator Dreams – Creating the Perfect Pitch

12PM – 1PM Making Music For the Modern World – how to license your music for multiple media platforms

1PM – 1:45PM Signed, Sealed Delivered – Is this contract for you?

2PM – 2:45PM On the Road – Best practices, tips and knowledge for tour management

4PM – 4:45PM The Audience is Listening – Learn the basic of what you should know about live sound for your show

1:00pm – 3:00pm So You Wanna Make a Record – recording and funding your project.
This Workshop takes place in Summerside at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex.