Nominations open for Francophone SOCAN Publisher of the Year

Story by Eric Parazelli | Monday April 29th, 2019

The next edition of the SOCAN Awards Gala will once again salute the remarkable work of music publishers with the Publisher of the Year Award. Publishers are invited to submit their nominations starting today.

The SOCAN Publisher of the year Award recognizes a publisher member who contributed in a significant and positive manner to the music industry and creative community during the year leading up to the Gala.

The eligibility period for the 2019 edition of the SOCAN Awards is from January 1 to December 31, 2018, and only the accomplishments that occured during this period will be taken under consideration. All nominations will be evaluated by a jury of music industry professionals.

To be eligible, a publisher mus be based in Canada and their repertoire be in large part Francophone or having had a significant Francophone impact creatively and commercially. A publisher whose representative sits on the selection committee is not eligible for this award. Nominations for the Montréal SOCAN Awards Gala must be submitted to Stéphanie Falco (stephanie.falco@socan.com) no later than May 31, 2019, at 5 p.m., EDT.

The Publisher of the year Award will be presented during the 30th Montréal SOCAN Awards Gala on Sunday, September 22, 2019.

Download the nomination form

Photo by Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (of/de André Mathieu)

Ontario Première of 70-year-old Canadian Piano Concerto

Story by Howard Druckman | Tuesday April 30th, 2019

A piano concerto written in the 1940s by an 18-year-old Canadian composer, described as a genius by Sergei Rachmaninoff, is about to receive its Ontario première more than 70 years later.

Pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico joins the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and conductor Kristian Alexander in the first Ontario performance of the Piano Concerto No. 4 by André Mathieu (1929-1968), on May 11, 2019, at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, in Richmond Hill, ON.

Montreal composer André Mathieu was a child prodigy, considered the “Canadian Mozart.” Having composed his fourth concerto at only 18, he gave several performances of it. However, no complete score seemed to exist until noted Quebec pianist Alain Lefèvre was given recordings made by Mathieu. Lefèvre engaged composer Gilles Bellemare to re-construct the work from the recordings, and a few handwritten pages. Lefèvre subsequently recorded it in 2008, and performed it in Montréal and the U.S.  Lynn René Bayley of Fanfare called the concerto “truly a work of genius.”

“Rachmaninoff on steroids,” is how Petrowska Quilico describes the concerto. “It’s challenging to play, but is a very expressive work, with lush harmonies, that I think will appeal to a wide audience. The pianist also has the benefit of leeway, in places, for his or her own interpretation.”

“André Mathieu has a unique style and exceptional talent for mixing orchestral colours,” said Kristian Alexander, Music Director of Kindred Spirits Orchestra. “I hope his inspired writing will continue attracting audiences across Canada and abroad.”

Don’t miss Lantz “Cooking Beats” at 2019 Canadian Music Week

Story by Howard Druckman, with files from/avec Nicole Van Severen | Monday April 29th, 2019

At Canadian Music Week (CMW) 2019, SOCAN will present its ever-popular “Cooking Beats” panel with one of Canada’s hottest beat-makers, Jazz Cartier producer Lantz, to be held at in Sheraton Centre Toronto on Thursday, May 9, from 3:25 to 5:00 p.m.

Lantz’s production style is self-described as “cinematic trap music,” composed of melodic synths, hard-hitting drums, and bending baselines. His work with Jazz Cartier has made the Polaris Music Prize long list twice, in 2015 for Marauding in Paradise, and 2016 for Hotel Paranoia. The latter album earned a JUNO Award for Rap Recording of the Year in 2017.

In a conversation with SOCAN’s Aidan D’Aoust, Lantz will show CMW delegates how he crafts a killer beat. Whether you’re an aspiring beat-maker, or an industry professional who wonders how beats are made, this session will pull back the curtain and show you why Canadian beat-makers are among the best in the world. Ever wonder where the ideas for beats come from? How to create a beat? What software you can use? What are the stages of growth of a beat? How do you use, or re-create, samples? And once you’ve a finished beat, how do you shop it? How do top-liners write over the beat? The “Cooking Beats” panel will answer these questions, and whatever else you want to ask about the art and craft of beat-making.

SOCAN will also participate in six other panels at CMW 2019, all at the Sheraton, as follows:

Thursday, May 9 – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
“The State of the Global Music Industry”
Osgoode Ballroom East
SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste participates

Thursday, May 9 – 4:15 to 5:00 p.m.
Global Music Landscape: Getting Discovered, Played and Paid
Osgoode Ballroom West
SOCAN Vice President, International Relations, Catharine Saxberg participates

Friday, May 10 – 3:55 to 5:30 p.m.
Pitch & Get Paid: How to Get Investors to Cut You a Cheque
Sheraton Ballroom C
SOCAN sponsors this pitch competition

Saturday, May 11 – 10:50 to 11:35 a.m.
Inclusivity, Equity and Diversity in the Context of a Music City- How are we faring?
Sheraton Ballroom A/B
Moderated by SOCAN Foundation Executive Director Charlie Wall-Andrews

Saturday, May 11 – 10:50 to 11:35 a.m.
Fair Pay for Creators in a Fair Trade World
Osgoode Ballroom West
Eddie Schwartz, SOCAN Nashville representative, participates
SOCAN Foundation Vice-President Martine Groulx

Saturday May 11 – 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
Greenlighting: The Risks, Rewards and Gut Instincts of Signing Artists
Osgoode Ballroom East
SOCAN Chief Membership & Business Development Officer Michael McCarty is interviewed by Bob Lefsetz

Additionally, at the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards, on Thursday, May 9, at Rebel Entertainment Complex, Michael McCarty will be inducted into the awards’ Hall of Fame, and Eddie Schwartz will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

SOCAN members will receive significant discounts off of regular registration rates for the VIP Conference and Three-Day Conference. Just message us at events@socan.com to get a code for 30% off. Already bought your pass? No problem, e-mail us and you can still get the credit on a previously purchased pass.

Come see us at the SOCAN booth in the exhibition area outside the ballrooms, on Thursday and Friday, May 9 and 10.