June 2007
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 12, No. 6
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, June 3rd, 2007
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we do. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org .
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Fain, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Archives
Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795
Membership
Gilda Corrales (407) 327-5494
State Song Contest—Just Sing, Florida !
The state of Florida is looking for a new state song, and created a contest! Here’s your chance to show off your songwriting skills, and brighten up an otherwise already bright state!
Song submissions must meet these requirements:
Submissions should include a filled-out application, 7 copies of sheet music, and 7 copies of a CD recording.
For more info, come to the meeting Sunday or visit the website (www.justsingflorida.org).
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Hi. Those of you who were members in the past year may recall long-time member Jeff Mason went to Tokyo for Disney. He appeared in a film called “ Cape Cod on the American Waterfront”. I want to get Jeff to a meeting and tell us how that went over in Japan .
I haven’t told you that the Central Florida Fair is asking us to come back. Let’s keep that in mind, and when the time comes, we’ll put some kind of performance package together for them.
I’m proud of all of you. It does my heart good to see the great response we get from our efforts. Past members will remember Rose Marston, talented writer. She left Orlando a couple of years ago and settled in North Hollywood . She called to see how everyone is doing and send regards. Rose says she’s “making the rounds”, which consists of songwriting, singing, and acting. She has done a few bit parts, and would like to do something bigger. I gave her several names, contacts of mine at 20th Century Fox studios; that hopefully will help. We’ll keep in touch and hopefully hear something good from Rose in the future.
It was great having Susie Cool at our last meeting. She looks great, and she brought a good song as always. I’m in hopes she will hit it big-time, she deserves it.
Looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday. Let me hear from you if you need anything.
Russ
A State Song for Florida
By Matt Griffin
Okay, I admit it: I’m excited. The State of Florida is holding a contest to find a new state song. You’ll find some details elsewhere in this newsletter.
Why do we need a new state song? Well, the current state song (“Old Folks at Home”, also called “Way Down Upon the Swanee River”) was written a century ago by Stephen Foster. It had references that were acceptable then, but now seem seriously offensive. In fact the official, original song is written in a sort of “black-speak”, if you will. And it refers to “darkies” who are “longing for de old plantation”. Yikes! Time to replace the song.
The contest is a great idea, so it shouldn’t surprise you that it came from Russ. Russ wrote the state capitol more than a year ago, suggesting that the old song be replaced and that a contest be held to find a new one. Apparently, someone read the letter. J
When I first heard about the possibility of a state song contest, I was a little worried that the song would be judged by politicians or administrators. I suspect the contest would have turned into: which song does the best job of promoting Florida tourism? Fortunately the judging was turned over to the Florida Music Educator’s Association (FMEA), who I think will do a better job of actually picking a good song. I’m sure, though, that they’ll still be looking for a positive, inclusive lyric that presents the state in a good light.
I’m excited because this seems to be more of a pure songwriting contest than some of the national contests; I get the feeling from the paperwork that the judges are more concerned about the song itself than the performance characteristics or quality of demo. Note that a song submission must include both seven CDs with a song performance and seven copies of sheet music. The sheet music is a more unusual request that I’m sure will give some of our members pause; we can discuss options at Sunday’s meeting.
Here are a few key details to keep in mind, from the www.justsingflorida.org website:
(1) They want the song to be around 3 minutes.
(2) The vocal range cannot exceed a ninth (a little over an octave); this requirement is rather restrictive, and knocks out a couple of melodies I have lying around!
(3) The song should be suitable for soloist or a group.
(4) Lyrics “appropriate for a state song” and “inclusive for all and exclusive to none”
No other hints are given. There are no references to genre or style, no details on how simple or complicated to make the song or the sheet music or the demo. Upbeat or slow? Cheerful or anthem-like or folkish or rocking? So what to do? My answer, if you and I can find the time, is to write more than one song. The rules allow it, so long as each submission is separate.
Come to Sunday’s meeting and we’ll knock ideas around. J
ISG Bulletin Board
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays & Saturdays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays at 6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407 774 0402
Lead Sheet preparation by Carlos Colon. A simple lead sheet contains the melody, lyrics and chord symbols. For more information, visit my website at www.cecoriginals.com and click on “Lead Sheets” at the top of the page. Website design also available. Use your website address in advertising. Newspapers, business cards, fliers, to name a few and let’s not forget the use of email. Send your link to potential clients. For more information, visit a few of my clients sites at http://www.ticopeach.net/clients.htm.
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association, Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
We’re always looking for material for the newsletter. If you have any information that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Matt Griffin at the meetings or email him at isgorl@cfl.rr.com . Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing with the ISG . For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ or Matt or email: isgorl@cfl.rr.com .
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ( isgorl@cfl.rr.com ).
New members always welcome!
May Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
No critique session in May (though we heard quite a few terrific songs!); check back next month.
© 2007 ISG