Wednesday 13 April 2011

FIRST EVER AJAX SONGWRITER'S GROUP

The S.A.C. Regional Writers Group Program is designed to provide members who live in all areas of the country with a series of specific songwriting lessons and a network of fellow writers, lyricists and composers. The program is also designed to keep members informed about issues and changes in the music industry, while establishing unity among songwriters everywhere. Singers and songwriters of all age groups, and musical prefer...ence are welcome to attend our weekly Songwriter's Groups to help develop their musical craft, with instruction from musical genius, Ron Beer. Our first Ajax Songwriter's Group will be held this Friday, from 6- 9pm at the McLean Community Centre, on the corner of Westney Rd, and Delaney Rd in Ajax. This group is FREE OF CHARGE! Come to meet local musicians, improve your songwriting talent and develop your musicianship!

Ajax Kids Songwriter's Group (ages 14-19) runs from 6-7:30PM THIS FRIDAY!


Ajax Adults Songwriter's Group (ages 19+) runs from 7:30-9PM THIS FRIDAY!


Ajax McLean Community Centre
95 McGill Dr
Ajax, Ontario

Monday 4 April 2011

OUR UPCOMING PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

REGIONAL SONGWRITER'S GROUPS
Songwriter’s Groups (SWG) are already established in Whitby (meet every Friday at the Whitby Activity Centre) and Ajax (as of April 15, at the McLean Centre). The municipality of Clarington is also interested in participating in this youth initiative – venue and times are in the works. SWG in Pickering, Uxbridge, Township of Brock, and Oshawa are pending, with positive feedback from each municipality’s representatives. Once each municipality in Durham has a successful SWG, our youth initiative will begin expansion to surrounding regions – York, Peel, and the GTA. SWGs out of province, in Halifax, Vancouver, and Windsor are fully established and booming.
Ron Beer, a successful country and blues musician, uses his talent, experience, knowledge of music theory, and his effortless ability to teach, to help develop the singing and song writing talent of each member of the Songwriter’s Group.
SONGWRITER'S MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ron Beer organizes an annual Songwriter’s Music Festival which unites musicians from all SWGs across the country to perform in front of sold out audiences. This year’s Songwriter’s Music Festival was held at the Whitby Courthouse Theatre, and was a tremendous success. Next year's Songwriter's Music Festival will be held in early 2012.
SONGWRITER'S TV
Branching from the SWG is Songwriter’s TV, where members of each SWG are filmed as they discuss what inspires their music, how they began song writing, and a brief rendition of their musical repertoire. These video clips are then uploaded onto our Youtube channel to give exposure and promote the SWG members. Please visit our Youtube channel by searching Songwriters Tv Durham at Youtube.com.
SONGWRITER'S HOUSE CONCERTS
After acquiring a directory of professional, and talent singer/songwriters from our SWG, we hope to help catapult their musical experience and career by canvasing the region for what we call "House Concerts". We all know there are few venues where people can go to experience great music in a close and friendly environment - so why not host your own House Concert?! Not only will you, your family and friends be able to have a relaxing night-in, but will also be able to enjoy a performance done by a solo/group ensemble that have been perfecting their performing craft at our weekly SWGs. For a minimal charge, hosting a House Concert will be supporting Canadian music culture, and giving the individual performer an avenue of growth and development. Anniversaires, birthday parties, pot-lucks, holiday weekends, sports parties, wedding receptions,  and corporate events/business parties are all idea occasions to host a House Concert.
BOOGIE BOY BLUES
Ron also has many projects underway, but what he takes most pride in is Boogie Boy Blues. Boogie Boy Blues & The Music Awards is the first volume of a graphic novel series which encompasses the history of blues, introduction to songwriting, and Canadian geography - a series which includes a music CD and a live performance by Ron Beer, author and songwriter. The story of Boogie Boys Blues centres around the experiences of a 14 year old songwriter who travels across Canada with a jazz band to attend a music awards show. As the story is presented on screen, it is simultaneously narrated using many different voices, singing original songs and playing the guitar, banjo, melodica, and penny whistle by Ron Beer. He has created a unique one hour show which teaches and entertains children about the craft of songwriting and the history of blues music.  The show is great fun for children aged 5 and up, but is also entertaining and inspiring for all age groups.
If you have any questions or interests about any of our above projects, please feel free to contact Adam Anthony at adanthony16@gmail.com .

SONGWRITER'S GROUPS

WHITBY SONGWRITER’S MUSIC GROUP
GUEST SPEAKER: STEVE DIDUNYK
April 3, 2011 – By Adam Anthony

The Songwriter’s Association of Canada (S.A.C) Regional Writers Group Program is designed to provide members who live in all areas of the country with a series of specific songwriting lessons and a network of fellow writers, lyricists and composers. The program is also designed to keep members informed about issues and changes in the music industry, while establishing unity among songwriters everywhere.
Singers and songwriters of all age groups, and musical preferences are welcome to attend our weekly Songwriter's Groups to help develop their musical craft, with instruction from musical genius, Ron Beer.
Whitby Songwriter's Music Group is held every Friday, from 6:30- 8pm at the Brock Street Activity Centre at 900 Brock St S (corner of Brock St and Burns St) and is FREE OF CHARGE! Come to meet local musicians, improve your songwriting talent and develop your musicianship!

Steve Didunyk

This week’s Songwriter’s Group will be hosting a special guest speaker.  Steve Didunyk Steve is a songwriter, pianist and accordion player from Toronto who writes witty and powerful pop songs. He has produced, played and collaborated with some of Canada's finest artists in writing and recording sessions and high profile shows. By day, Steve works at Canada’s performing rights society - SOCAN, which collects performance royalties on behalf of Canadian songwriters and music publishers. He is an active member of the Songwriters Association of Canada, and a regular at regional songwriting conferences and events. His plans for 2011 include recording more of his original songs and expanding his presence both online and on stage. Steve will be leading the discussion on “crafty lyrics” at this week’s Songwriter’s Group, and any singers, songwriters, or musicians looking to gain some knowledge of lyrical craft, should come out to the Brock Street Activity Centre, this Friday, the 8th, from 6:30-7:30pm.
For more information about Durham’s Songwriter’s Groups, or about attending this week’s Songwriter’s Group, please contact Adam at adanthony16@gmail.com, or join our Facebook Group (Songwriter's Group – Whitby).