About SCALA

SCALA's Information Page

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SCALA (Songwriters, Composers And Lyricists Association Inc.) is a non profit, voluntary, incorporated association which officially formed on 22nd November 1987 in Adelaide, South Australia. SCALA's objectives are to:
  • Encourage the activity of Songwriting, Composing and Lyric or Libretto writing.
  • Provide information and support to Songwriters, Composers and Lyric or Libretto writers by way of workshops, seminars, regular meetings and other activities which eventuate as SCALA evolves.
  • Encourage the playing and recording of innovative and original music and the use of innovative and original music in commercial applications.
  • Provide a service enabling Songwriters, Composers and Lyricists or Librettists to collaborate on innovative music projects and, in particular, to enable (non lyric) Composers to collaborate with Lyricists.
  • Encourage and assist in the employment of Songwriters, Composers and Lyricists or Libretto writers in appropriate situations within the community.
SCALA has developed a number of regular activities since its formation including:
  • Live Original Music - Weekly!: SCALA has showcased original music live almost every week since its foundation. SCALA's performance venue is a safe, friendly, warm environment where "just starting" songwriters, composers and lyricists rub shoulders with professional original musicians. The venue is open to all who want to hear the newest original music and songs presented by its creators. Our current Saturday Showcase is at The Joiners Arms, 9 Manton Street, Hindmarsh.

  • Workshops: Monthly "Join Us" Songwriting Sessions commenced in March 2004 on the third Tuesday of each month at our venue, The Joiners Arms. If you are interested in Songwriting and would like to discuss your songs, lyrics, music, if you would like to meet with other Songwriters and discuss all sorts of aspects of songwriting, maybe find a collaborator or two or just hang out with some other people with Songwriting interests then this is for you.

  • Radio Airplay: SCALA provides guests for Radio Adelaide's Arts Breakfast programme, Saturday mornings about 9:30 (101.5FM)

  • A Quarterly Newsletter: SCALA's quarterly newsletter, SCALA News, is packed with information, news, views and resources.

  • Online News Updates: If you have an email address you will be added to the SCALA Members' Online Mailing List and receive news updates that occur between newsletters. This information is sent Blind Carbon Copy (Bcc) to preserve members' privacy and without attachments to reduce the risk of viruses and hard drive clutter.

  • Competitions: SCALA has run its annual SCALA Festival of Original Music (FOOM) Song Competition consisting of live performance, lyrics, demo tape and master tape sections since 1994. It also organised the annual Songwriters Event between 1988 and 2001. SCALA has also been asked to organise other song competitions. In all competitions winning songs have been recorded and released on tape or CD.

  • Recordings - SCALA CDs: SCALA has issued an annual album of professionally recorded original music since 1988 including the Songwriters Event series from 1988 to 1994. In 1995 SCALA released its first CD, SCALA Big And Strong, which consisted of song competition winners supplemented by songs recorded by and submitted by SCALA members. Subsequent CDs have followed this pattern and at present 8 CDs have been released in the series. SCALA is currently preparing its next CD. SCALA's CD Collection aims to provide SCALA members with the opportunity to try out their recorded material in a professionally presented low cost manner. Contact SCALA for more details.

  • SCALA Online: SCALA has its own Website on the Internet. This is it!! The URL is http://www.scala.org.au. This award winning site is highly regarded around the world for the quality and quantity of information and the site's design. The site is updated regularly. [Note: pages at our previous website are progressively being loaded on this webdomain.]

  • Online Catalogue/Mail Order Sales: SCALA publishes a full colour online catalogue of recordings by SCALA members on its Internet site (to be reloaded on this domain soon). Catalogue CDs and tapes are available by Mail Order or at our weekly venue.

  • Discounts etc ...: SCALA members are also able to obtain discounts at various stores and at SCALA's own activities (such as entry to our venue and entry in our annual song competition). SCALA provides an environment in which all styles of original music can flourish.

  • Membership: SCALA only exists because of its membership base. SCALA membership is open to anyone with an interest in original music, anywhere. SCALA members can be found in all states and mainland territories of Australia and a number of countries outside Australia.

    Membership benefits
    Members receive:

    • SCALA NEWS and other supplements;
    • Discounts at SCALA events (including entry in competitions) or for SCALA products or services;
    • Discounts at selected businesses;
    • The opportunity to submit original material for SCALA CD Collections;
    • The opportunity to stand for election to SCALA's Board of Management and to influence SCALA's decision making.
How To Join SCALA

Updated 14th February 2007