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SONGWRITERS, COMPOSERS AND LYRICISTS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NEWSLETTER ISSUE 1 JAN/FEB 1988
SCALAUMBRELLA OPENS NEW STEPS - First Pix - ShockAdelaide, South Australia, November 1987
SCALA was formed on the 22nd of November 1987 to "encourage the activity of Songwriting, composing and lyric (or libretto writing)" OF ANY STYLE. Thus SCALA is intended to be an all embracing "umbrella" association with the underlying aim of helping songwriters, composers and lyricists find an audience for their creative efforts. There are a number of ways in which SCALA intends to assist songwriters, composers and lyricists find an audience. Sane of these plans can be implemented in the short term; others are definitely long term activities. PERFORMANCEOne goal that was achieved even before the Formation Meeting was a PERFORMANCE VENUE for ANY STYLE of original music and song at Club Foote, Blythe St. (off Hindley Street). Opening night was on 2nd December and featured Rob Childs, Isabel Margrett and Bob Petchell, Kidney Art Ensemble and Peter Doherty.SCALA at Club Foote will be every TUESDAY evening. Until further notice performance will commence at 9 p.m. It is possible that we will be starting earlier in February. The format of this performance venue will generally consist of FOUR acts of about 25 minutes duration (maximum 30 minutes) presenting original music/songs. These may be self penned, or songwriters or composers may arrange an individual performer or a group to perform their original songs/music. It is possible that as SCALA evolves. performers might approach the Association to get original material from a number of SCALA members and in turn may want to perform these works at SCALA at Club Foote.
Again some performers may not be ready to perform for 25 minutes and way wish to present only one or two songs. If this can be accomodated within the format of any individual evening we are certainly willing to fit such a person/group in.
If you want to sell your tapes or records at Club Foote SCALA will add a very modest $1 per album or equivalent and 50c per single, EP or equivalent to whatever price you nominate and sell on your behalf (after all it is difficult finding outlets for tapes and records of original music so why not use this cheap service!) SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPSWe intend to hold regular workshops and seminars as part of SCALA's aim to provide information to songwriters, composers and lyricists.At least Four Seminars/Workshops are planned for 1988.
INFORMAL AND GENERAL MEETINGSAt the Formation Meeting intending members present expressed a strong desire to meet on an informal basis regularly to discuss aspects of songwriting, composing and lyric writing and to play new compositions in a relaxed setting. It would also enable composers to meet lyricists and act as a conduit of information between the SCALA Board of Management and the SCALA membership. In addition, members can find out about SCALA at this venue.The first informal meeting was held in a private home at Glandore kindly loaned for the occasion by Board member Ghita Prey. Many thanks Ghita! Following on from this meeting Alan Gerrie, who is also on the Board of Management, has been able to arrange a permanent meeting place in the Maid and Magpie Hotel on the corner of Fullarton, Magill and Payneham Road, Stepney. Usually. we meet in the beer garden complete with musical instruments. The first informal meeting here was held on Monday, 14th of December 1987 and future informal meetings will be held on a fortnightly basis. Next social (informal) meeting will be held on Monday, February 8th at about 8 o'clock in the beer garden. Thanks Alan ! NEWSLETTERThe SCALA Newsletter is intended as an information and support service to members on a regular basis. Initially the Newsletter will be published every two months January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October and November/December.The Newsletter is YOUR forum for ideas, promotion, Information giving, requests and generally to provide a flow of information to members. So, send in articles, letters and particularly RELEVANT INFORMATION to the editor. PLEASE TRY TO GET COPY TO THE NEWSLETTER AT LEAST 14 DAYS BEFORE THE NEXT ISSUE IS DUE. Contributions should be typed if possible. As well, at present we would prefer a 40 space column format. RESOURCESThis very important area of SCALA's program underlies the services which SCALA wants to provide its members.We need to know details of members experience, training etc. as well as what demand there is for songwriters', composers' and lyricists' creative efforts and what resources there are for us to use. Without this information from YOU on a regular basis our "EMPLOYMENT" and "COLLABORATION" services will not be effective. (cont. page 4) EDUCATION PROGRAMThis SCALA activity largely depend, on the RESOURCE information outlined in the previous section. At present a few songwriters, composers or lyricists go out to schools, other education institutions, the workplace or organisations such as aged care homes or handicapped peoples' homes to perform and perhaps to talk about aspects of songwriting, composing or lyricwriting.By and large these visits seem to be sporadic and uncoordinated, being largely a matter of negotiation between the individual performer and the school or organisation involved. SCALA would like to help coordinate this activity to enable more. songwriters, composers and lyricists of any style to talk about aspects of songwriting, composing or lyricwriting, perhaps to involve people in the audience in music creation and to perform mainly original songs or music or perhaps adaptations of well known works. Initially SCALA needs to know who feels they are capable of participating in such a programme. An education programme of this type might be quite demanding and need special communicating skills, especially dealing with children, adolescents, disabled, aged and infirm people. However, the personal rewards should be great particularly if we can demonstrate that music can be created right here and doesn't have to be dictated by fashions in other states or countries. Or we might show that the songs sung and music played by well known acts can be written here. This programme might be financially rewarding as well, depending on the size and the nature of the audience (e.g. 300 school children paying $1 each for a lunchtime performance or an organisation paying a speaker's fee of $30 plus a luncheon). SCALA would expect a percentage of takings for organising such a service. Fair enough? We may need to run training sessions for potential participants. LONGER TERM PLANSSCALA would like to be able to purchase recording and related equipment such as "Portastudios", microphones, effects etc. to hire out to members at reasonable rates and ultimately we would like to have secure premises where permanent recording equipment could be housed .where members could rehearse, learn recording techniques and make demo tapes of original compositions at reasonable rates. Alternatively we might be able to find a very generous recording studio that provides the latter benefits at very reasonable rates for members. Any takers?Whichever course we take SCALA must have a strong and enthusiastic membership willing to support the association. WE URGENTLY NEED TO CONSOLIDATE OUR MEMBERSHIP. If you have hot filled out that membership form yet, please DO IT NOW. There's one elsewhere in this issue. Spread the word about SCALA.. Look what we have achieved in less than one month of operation
SO SPREAD THE WORD. SCALA is up and running looking to improve the lot of the creative music maker. So try and make OUR name well known as we make YOUR name well known. THE HIGHER OUR PROFILE IS, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF GAINING RECOGNITION WHERE YOU WANT IT, whether as a performer of original music/songs (your own or other peoples) or as a songwriter, composer or lyricist working for a publisher, artist. group, recording company or whatever
IMPORTANT! READ THIS!!You have been reading the FIRST edition of SCALA NEWS. However, if you are not already a member of SCALA this may be the LAST time you see it since we cannot afford to send free copies to non-members. So join now!Return to Contents Making the most of your recording equipmentBy Robert Childs
If you don't have the income to have paid cash for this equipment, you're most likely in debt and wondering how to pay it all off, as well as recording your own music (which is why you bought all that gear in the first place). OPTIONSThere are various options:
JINGLESAssuming none of these are particularly palatable options why not use your equipment and earn money at the same time? You could for example, approach business people in your area and find out if they want jingles or background music to play to customers. Perhaps they have a sale coming up and would like a continuous play tape, with music and voice over telling customers what is on special. Naturally, when approaching business people you should take along samples of your work mastered onto a good quality cassette.DEMO-TAPESAnother option might be to offer cheap recording services to musicians, including other songwriters; composers and lyricists. If you're not set up at home to be able to have other people use your recording equipment (in your bedroom, under the stairs, in the cellar, in a cupboard) you might instead offer a service to songwriters, composers and lyricists who do not sing or play their own songs/music but want a demo tape of their work to present to publishers, recording studios and performers.If you have a reasonable voice, or know someone who has, can playa variety of instruments well (or have mastered the art of sequencing) and do not mind singing and playing other peoples songs then this could be a reasonably attractive alternative Naturally various safeguards such as copyright need to be resolved in advance but the benefits are that you gain experience using your recording/computing equipment and earn money from it whilst another songwriter/composer/lyricist is able to obtain a demo tape that is reasonably recorded without resorting to professional musicians (apart from you) and large recording studios SHEET MUSICIf you have a computer system which has desk top publishing and music printing facilities you could even extend the service you provide to include, not only a demo tape, but also sheet music. For the total professional approach perhaps you could provide an artistic slip case and track listing (designed on the graphics package of your computer!) for the cassette.Remember, though, that you must achieve a high standard of recording quality and musicianship at all times to maintain your credibility (and your customers). On the other side of the coin (literally) you'll have to work out the business costs of what you're doing so that you can set an attractive price and so that you not only make money (while getting the experience with your equipment) but you get enough money to make it seem worthwhile. Return to Contents JINGLESDon't believe that there are only a few major Recording Studios, where jingles are produced, and don't think that your own written jingles are hard to sell THEY'RE NOT!!I wrote, arranged and produced (all recorded at small recording studios) four jingles which have been played on air. Two were broadcast on 5KA and the other two were broadcast on 5MU. DO sell your jingles to small businesses and country businesses who can't afford the BIG STUDIO prices ... and do them the favour!! With the right approach the right jingle and good demo tapes you can turn jingle writing into an easy and enjoyable casual income. IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU.... Ghita Prey Return to Contents Board Of ManagementRobert ChildsBarry Timmins Ghita Prey Lyn Jones Peter Duffy Roger Byrne Annette Browne Alan Gerrie Return to Contents This first edition of SCALA News was written, typed and compiled by Robert Childs and Ghita Prey. We need willing helpers to put out the next issue and to generally publicise SCALA
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Welcome to the first edition of the Songwriters, Composers And Lyricists Association (SCALA) NEWSLETTER.
Perhaps you've paid a lot of money to purchase a four track or eight track recorder, microphones a mixing desk, microphone stands, effects, leads, tape, a mastering machine, perhaps a sequencer and a computer as well. Then there's the synthesizers, guitars, drums or drum machines….