CANADIAN SONGWRITER CHALLENGE: Manitoba Music Connects Heavy-Hitters with Local Acts for Co-writing Retreat

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Clockwise from top left: Dondrea Erauw, Chad Richardson, Tyler Tasson, Andy Stochansky

Manitoba Music is gearing up for the latest edition in its songwriter development series with the help of a national songwriters initiative. Slated for July 5-8, the Manitoba Music Summer Songwriter Retreat will combine co-writing opportunities with creative and business mentorship, connecting industry heavy-hitters with emerging Manitoba talent to strengthen their songwriting chops through collaboration.  

Taking place in a tranquil cabin setting in the Whiteshell, the three-day co-writing retreat will incorporate co-writing, songwriting mentorship, demo recording, and discussions on the business of professional songwriting. Mentors making the trip include Los Angeles-based songwriter Andy Stochansky, Anthem Entertainment/SRO Management's Tyler Tasson, Instinct Entertainment's Dondrea Erauw, and the general manager of SOCAN Los Angeles, Chad Richardson. As well as songwriting, the mentors also bring connections and experience with different parts of the songwriting industry including publishing, sync licensing, co-writing, and artist development.

Manitoba Music has a long history of songwriter development initiatives, including a series of Songwriter in Residence events with the likes of Hawksley Workman and Tom Wilson, producing local versions of the Songwriters Association of Canada's SongWorks, and the most recent Winter Songwriter Retreat partnership with FortWhyte Alive.

This iteration of Summer Songwriter Retreat is part of a national project, dubbed the Canadian Songwriter Challenge. A multi-year partnership between the Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA) and Bell Media, CCMIA's member music industry associations will be organizing songwriter-focused events across the country this summer.

Manitoba artists of all genres that are interested in collaborating and co-writing are welcome to submit for the Manitoba Music Summer Songwriter Retreat. Submissions will be adjudicated by a jury of industry professionals. Transportation, accommodations, and meals will be provided for participants. The deadline for submissions is May 14, 2015. To find out more about eligibility and the submissions process, contact Roland Deschambault at training@manitobamusic.com, 204.975.5188. To apply online, please visit manitobamusic.com/songwriterretreat.

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