Pre-registering does not confirm that you will present a song. It depends on the time allocated for critiques. Order of presenters will be randomly and fairly selected.

You must be on time to be considered to present your song. You must bring lyrics for your songs if you are to present otherwise you will not be considered. Composers of instrumentals are also welcome.

Note that these workshops are not about just you getting heard, but you offering feedback for others, networking and meeting our industry guests.

We run the critique session for the first 2 hours, then we have a short break, followed by a guest speaker or industry discussion. Our guest speakers contribute to the evaluation process and are available to answer any questions the songwriters may have about the music industry. Guests include record and publishing company representatives, noteworthy songwriters, media, other music organization reps, promoters and producers.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

Sign in on the two register sheets

a) general sign up sheet ($5 for non-members, free for members - write your member number). All dues to be paid upon sign in.
b) presenter sheet (write if you will be presenting a song and in which format). 

In order to keep our workshops smooth, professional, and catering to all, we ask you to abide to the following:

SONGWRITER PRESENTERS:

• Have your tapes/CDs cued, guitars tuned, instruments ready and/or where applicable, support musicians on standby.

• Pagers and cell phones turned off!

• Works in progress, lyrics, instrumentals and released/finished compositions are all eligible for workshop critique, but we are not here to write a song for you! This is a critique session not a co-writing session

• Before you present your song, you may introduce it and tell your peers what kind of feedback you are looking for. Please also state if this is a song for you as an artist or if you are pitching it. Feedback is usually different depending on this.

• After your presentation no comment from you would be generally required unless invited to do so. You have made your statement by presenting your work.

• If time restricts, only a portion of your song will be presented so be prepared to play your best 8-12 bars (first verse and chorus usually suits).

• All songs must be original. (written or co-written).

• Be professional and bring 20 copies of your lyric sheet, with name, address, phone, email and website (where applic.) and current copyright date. You never know who is in the audience!

• Don't forget to sit in the hot seat during song presentation and feedback time.

EVALUATORS/PEERS:

• Evaluations and critiques by the audience are optional, not compulsory. You may either: a) Write your comments of the presenters work on their lyric sheets and return to songwriter. It is your choice if you add your name or remain anonymous; or b) Verbalize your comment, if time permits (moderated). Or c) Save your comment to the half-time break to speak one-on-one with the songwriter in private.

• Raise your hand if you want to offer feedback. It's not school, but it helps avoid cross-talk and interruptions. Only speak when asked by the moderator.

• At all times keep your comments succinct, to the point, non-repetitive, POSITIVE and PROFESSIONAL in manner. Of course, a negative point can be raised so that we can all learn from our presentations, but POSITIVE CRITICISM is appropriate here. No song bashing! Always give your feedback from your own point of view. Avoid using words like "you should", "you must", "you need." Try "I think", "I believe, " etc. We are all professionals here and your feedback is only your view, not necessarily the only answer.

• Critiques are oriented towards the songwriting (melody, music, rhythm etc) and not production unless feedback is requested by the presenter.

You can down-load our Rules/Critique Tip sheet as a PDF document