SOCAN is re-launching its in-person “Song Camp Mondays” initiative, whereby SOCAN members can apply to participate in a three-person, one-day writing session in the Sound Lounge at the SOCAN Toronto office.

Three applicants, who must be SOCAN members, will be selected by Toronto-based executives from our Membership Department’s Creative team, once a week, to come in for a co-writing session. SOCAN members can apply now. Submissions are open to all SOCAN songwriter members, regardless of musical genre, skill level, geographical location, or whether the applicant has a publisher or not.

“Song Camp Mondays” are designed to help Canadian songwriters build their relationships, gain experience collaborating, and advance their craft by bringing the song camp experience to as many SOCAN writers as possible.

“Song Camp Mondays” will take place weekly at SOCAN’s Toronto office, starting April 17, 2023. Each session will run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Sound Lounge. There will be a break for lunch at 1:00 p.m., which includes a brief “SOCAN 101” session to explain how to register the song, and other ways to get paid. The Sound Lounge is well equipped with gear, but participants will bring their own instrument(s) and gear of choice for songwriting.

Participating songwriters must be willing to split ownership of the newly created song in equal shares – regardless of the individual parties’ contributions to the final work. They must also be prepared to work collaboratively and co-operatively, and come into the session with an open mind, willing to work with their two co-writers regardless of genre and skill level. Of course, if participants are enjoying the co-writing process, they’re free to continue the co-writing relationship after the session.

SOCAN members can apply only once for “Song Camp Mondays” in any given calendar year, and their applications will be retained on file, to be randomly chosen to participate at any point in the future.

Please note that SOCAN will not provide any payment for travel or lodgings to successful applicants for “Song Camp Mondays.”



SOCAN is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alexandre Alonso as Executive Director of Québec Affairs. Alexandre started in his new role on April 3, 2023, and is based in Montréal.

Maintaining excellent relationships with our songwriter, composer and music publisher members in Québec is crucial for the organization. The same holds true for SOCAN’s involvement in the Québec music ecosystem, and with the various political and governmental authorities.

Alexandre will be a key element of the Membership team, as he’ll be responsible for building relationships that foster effective and positive communication and exchange with Québec’s entire music ecosystem. He’ll communicate on a daily basis with SOCAN members living in Québec, with the associations that represent them, and with government authorities. It will help SOCAN to better understand the specific issues in Québec, and promote its commitment to the needs of its members.

Alexandre is a passionate and committed manager, with more than 15 years of experience in the cultural sector. His expertise has been deployed in service of publishing and record companies, festivals, theatres, management companies, unions, and professional associations.

Prior to joining SOCAN, Alexandre was the Executive Director of the Société professionnelle des auteurs et compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ), a position he held since October 2020, which allowed him to collaborate frequently with SOCAN and the SOCAN Foundation. Prior to that, he was a labour relations agent and then consultant for Union des artistes (2019-2020). He also served as Communications and Community Relations Manager for Artisti (2016-2018), the collective society whose mission is to protect, preserve, and promote performers’ rights. He acted as a consultant during the founding of the Regroupement des artisans de la musique (RAM), and the drafting of the political platform. He’s been in charge of the file of entrepreneurial artists, and the coordination of the production of content, and the budgetary management of public financial assistance (ministère de la Culture et des Communications) since 2016.

“It’s with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I join SOCAN as Executive Director of Québec Affairs,” said Alonso. “From the perspective of SOCAN’s new member-centric vision, Québec has many rich assets to offer. The dense fabric of its industry, its teeming creative community, and its passionate public are all features that make Québec a vibrant, resilient, and innovative ecosystem. Of course, we all know that the challenges are great, but it’s with enthusiasm and a dynamic approach, in emulation with my SOCAN colleagues, that I proudly wish to represent Québec, to respond to its specific issues, and to pro-actively contribute to its success – by implementing collaborative and innovative strategies, focused on results. I know from experience that the Québec music market is demanding, but it’s clear that it’s also full of visionary and persevering entrepreneurs, as well as prolific and talented artists. I’m convinced that, together, we’ll succeed in taking advantage of the structural asymmetry to make Québec a proud, productive, and diversified market. I invite SOCAN’s publisher and creator members to join me and start working together for our collective success.”

Alonso’s arrival in his new role as Executive Director of Québec Affairs will strengthen SOCAN’s work in this important territory, a mandate that he’ll undoubtedly fulfill with tact, diplomacy, and discernment, three qualities that have helped him make his mark throughout his career – and which he now brings to the SOCAN family.



The seventh annual edition of the Gala Dynastie – Soirée Culture, was held on March 1, 2023, at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Maisonneuve in Montréal. Fourteen awards were handed out during the event, which celebrates artists from Black communities who contribute to the richness and diversity of Québec’s cultural scene.

Comedian Preach was the host of the Gala, the theme of which, this year, was “I Am Power.” The night saw several high-profile artists offer performances that set the tone for the celebration: Kim Richardson shared the stage with Kayiri and the Deevine choir, and Aiza, King Shadrock, Sunny Boisvert, DJ Mohtorious, and Wesli also tore the roof off of the sold-out venue. This was to the delight of the attendees, among whom was SOCAN Creative and Partnerships Executive Sara Dendane.

Among the award winners, several SOCAN members were recognized in the music categories:

Music Video of the Year
Jay Jay—Bloc Boy

World Music Artist or Group of the Year
Wesli

Anglophone Artist or Group of the Year
Zach Zoya

Francophone Artist or Group of the Year
Corneille

Artist or Group Having Achieved Outstanding Success Internationally
Skiifall

Musical Breakthrough of the Year
Magi Merlin

Visit the Gala Dynastie website for the complete list of nominations. You can experience the Gala Dynastie on the Natyf TV website.