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​Attend NSAI Meetings in Other Cities and Countries

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NSAI has over 130 regional Chapters around the world,
and when you're a member of NSAI, you can attend a regular meeting
at any Chapter for FREE (remember to bring your membership card).
Check out 
the ​NSAI Los Angeles/Pasadena Chapter and the Malibu Chapter.
​
To find Chapters in other states or countries, click HERE 
Update: Tracey and Vance's book will be available May 16, 2022.
Preorders are being taken now.

​Sign up to be on the email list
HERE

Important News from The Library of Congress
​Copyright Office

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Effective March 20, 2020
New fees to register music recordings and compositions

For the new copyright fee schedule, click HERE


Regarding copyrighting a collection of songs:
The option for registering a “collection” of unpublished works
with the PA Form, Performing Arts Form, which includes songs,
and the SR Form, which is the Sound Recordings Form,
was eliminated on March 15, 2019.
For the PA Form and SR Form, click HERE
​Paper applications may no longer be used to register multiple unpublished works.
Beginning March 15, 2019, you may register up to 10 unpublished works using
​the new electronic application for a “Group of Unpublished Works.”  
Read more HERE

Want more NSAI Songwriting Events?
Many Now Offer Meetings Online

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Check out the NSAI Malibu Chapter, led by Nitanee Paris Lawson. 
​Visit the Chapter Facebook Page
 for updates and important information. 
Also, check out the
NSAI Los Angeles Chapter, led by Rick (Sudi) Karatas.
NSAI Members can attend any Chapter meeting in the world for free!
If you’re not a current member, you can attend regular meetings
​and get feedback on your song for a nominal fee.

Important Music Industry Organizations

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AIMP - Association of Independent Music Publishers. The monthly lunch meetings at Lawry's in Beverly Hills are open to all.
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GMS - Guild of Music Supervisors. Annual Conference in Hollywood in the Fall is open to all. Volunteers can attend for free.
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The SCL - The Society of Composers and Songwriters is usually for members only and invited guests. The SCL hosts workshops, film screenings, etc.
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ASMAC - American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers. They host events open to all. Past special guests have included Richard Carpenter and Alan & Marilyn Bergman.
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CCC - California Copyright Conference holds monthly dinner meetings in Los Angeles (Encino/Sherman Oaks area) that are open to all.
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PMA - Production Music Association. Their Annual PMC (Production Music Conference) in the Fall is open to all.
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The Grammy Museum is open to all. However, members are invited to special concerts in the Clive Davis Theater featuring Hit Songwriters and Artists.
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Songwriters of North America (SONA) is an advocacy group located in Los Angeles established by Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley with special events, such as the Annual SONA Songwriters Summit.
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There are many more events closer to home in California, Hawaii, Colorado, and other parts of the West Coast.
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The NSAI Malibu Chapter will host a "Sync Tank" Online Meeting hosted by Coordinator Nitanee Paris with NSAI San Diego Coordinators Tracey and Vance Marino on Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
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​NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International

​A Professional Organization for Songwriters & Lyricists
(& Composers at the NSAI San Diego Chapter)
​

ALL Skill Levels  ALL Genres of Music  ALL Ages

Welcome To The NSAI San Diego Chapter​

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​AN URGENT, IMPORTANT MESSAGE
FROM NSAI NASHVILLE HEADQUARTERS

All NSAI workshops and events have been
suspended, postponed, or canceled

until further notice
in the interest of everyone's health and safety. 
​

The Anthem Chapter Challenge that was planned for April
will be rescheduled.


Please check back later for updates.

To be added to the NSAI San Diego email list, click HERE



The NSAI San Diego
Workshop Meetings have been canceled
until further notice due to health and safety concerns.
Thank you for your understanding. Be safe.
​

Where: 7111 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, 92034
La Jolla Lutheran Church, Downstairs Meeting Room
Free parking on Fern Glen and in the parking lot. Follow the signs.

Cost: $15 for non-members (after 2 free trial meetings) 
Free for NSAI members. ​To join NSAI, click HERE

Rough recordings and works-in-progress are fine

FOR SONG SHARING or FEEDBACK


Songwriters & Composers:
Send your song mp3 to 
TVMarino@cox.net

Live playing is fine for Workshop Meetings. Bring your guitar

FOR FEEDBACK

Songwriters & Lyricists:
Bring 12 copies of a 1-page, typed Lyric Sheet. 
Example HERE

Composers: 
Bring 12 copies of the Feedback Sheets (Optional).
Example ​HERE


Website: www.NSAISanDiego.com
Coordinators: Tracey & Vance Marino
​
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NSAI San Diego Chapter
Upcoming Meetings & Events 2020

Meetings are usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month
from 6:15 to 9:00 PM

These are the tentative dates and times, subject to change, 
depending on holidays, special guests, etc.
​
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The February 16, 2020 Workshop Meeting had a great turnout with a talented bunch of songwriters.
The songs get more amazing every month, and many from the group are doing co-writes.
Congrats to Andy and Karen Y. and to Kat, Justin, and Owni on their collaborations.
​Welcome to newcomers and first-time attendees: Karen G., Rod, and Kevin V.
Keep writing and bringing in your great songs, and we'll see you at the March meeting!

​
- WORKSHOP MEETING
Sunday, March 15, 2020 (3rd Sunday)
CANCELED
​
- WORKSHOP MEETING
Sunday, April 19, 2020 (3rd Sunday)
CANCELED until further notice.
​

- WORKSHOP MEETING
Sunday, May 17, 2020 (3rd Sunday)
CANCELED until further notice.​
​
- WORKSHOP MEETING
Sunday, June 28, 2020 (4th Sunday due to Father's Day)
CANCELED until further notice.

Got News?

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If you signed a publishing deal, got a song cut, won a songwriting contest,
had a placement in Film or TV, or have any other music news,

let us know, and we'll put it in the NSAI San Diego Newsletter.
Email NSAI San Diego Chapter Coordinators Tracey and Vance Marino at
tvmarino@cox.net



CCC: California Copyright Conference of L.A.
​Dinner Meetings have been canceled until further notice

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or more info about the CCC Dinner & To RSVP, click HERE

NOTE: You do NOT have to be a CCC member to attend the monthly meetings

6:15 PM - 9:00 PM in Los Angeles
 
Where: Courtyard Marriott

15433 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
($5 parking validation available at venue)


Walk-Up Dinner (pay at the door, no prior RSVP):
CCC  Members $55 per person | Non-members $70 per person
Student Discounts Available with ID

To RSVP or for more information
visit www.TheCCC.org


AIMP: Association of Independent
​Music Publishers, L.A. Chapter
Lunch Meetings canceled until further notice

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Time: 11:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Place: View Map
Lawry's The Prime Rib
100 N. La Cienega Blvd. (near Wilshire Blvd.)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

For more information and to RSVP, click HERE

Please register early as these meetings will often sell out

San Diego County Fair
Annual Singer / Songwriter Contest
Deadline to Enter: April 20, 2020

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Entry deadline: Monday, April 20, 2020
Final round performance at the Fair: Sunday, June 14, 2020 on the Paddock Stage
Grand Prize is $3,000

(Dates subject to change.)
Past winners include NSAI Members and meeting attendees
Tolan Shaw, Diane Waters, Sophia Bacino
For Rules, Entry Form, and More Information, Click HERE

Annual Anthem Chapter Challenge
NSAI San Diego & All Chapters
Canceled until further notice

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Nashville's Annual Tin Pan South
​Songwriting Seminar
Canceled until further notice

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Nashville's Annual Tin Pan South
​Concert Series
Canceled until further notice

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Song Sharing Versus Song Feedback

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There's a difference between bringing a song to a meeting to share
versus bringing a song to get feedback.

Song sharing... 
gives everyone an idea of your composing or lyric writing style.
​Perhaps you're looking for some collaborators.
Perhaps you just want to play your song to get a reaction from the listener.
Perhaps your song showcases how you sing, play an instrument, produce, etc.
You don't have to bring lyrics or feedback sheets for song sharing,
but it helps to have them for the listeners.
If you're not comfortable getting feedback just yet,
or you want to let the group know what you do,
you are always welcome to play your song for the group without getting feedback.

Song feedback...
means you would like some feedback comments, also known as a critique.
Perhaps you've been working on your song for awhile and want to see if it's finished.
Feedback can help.
Let the group know what the purpose of the song is.
Why did you write the song?
Let the group know so everyone will know what type of feedback to give you. 

For example, some things to consider before getting feedback:
- Is this song for yourself as an Artist / Singer-Songwriter?
- Can the listener hear this song synced in a movie or TV show?
- Did you write the song as a tribute for a friend or to play at your sister's wedding?
- Do you want to perform it live with your band or worship group?
- Did write a hooky song so the audience can sing along on the Chorus?
- Is your song for an original project such as a Broadway play or an Indie film?
- Did you write the song to pitch to a Publisher to present to an Artist on their roster?

- Was your song or instrumental written for a production music library?

- Is it your dream to write a hit song and have a major Artist record it?

So, bring your song to the next meeting
to share or to get some feedback.
NSAI is here to help you!
​
RSVP for the next Workshop Meeting HERE

Why Attend A Workshop Meeting?

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Because feedback on your music can be valuable...
​​before you spend money on an expensive, mastered CD or album
before you pitch music to a high-end production music library
before you send lyrics or tracks to your collaborator
before you attend an important music conference
before you send that mp3 to a music supervisor
before playing it for a publisher the first time
before you put your songs on social media
before presenting it to a recording artist
before you perform your new song live
​
Feedback is also helpful when you're trying to get your song or composition to the next level.

​Remember that opinions expressed at the Workshop Meetings 
​and by the NSAI Pro Evaluators are just that:
Opinions.

Feedback can be useful when "fresh ears" hear your song for the first time.
Even full-time, professional composers and successful hit songwriters often seek feedback from
​trusted sources before their music is ready to be presented to the world.

So, bring your works-in-progress and rough recordings to the next Workshop Meeting.

​RSVP HERE

Important Music Industry Events (Los Angeles Area)
Have all been canceled until further notice

​One of the "secrets to success" is going to music industry events.
These events can help you with every step of your music career because
​this is where the people you want to meet will be.

- Want to get to know the reps from SESAC, BMI, or ASCAP?
- Looking for a music publisher?
- Need a serious, professional collaborator?
- Looking for a music attorney to help with your first publishing deal?
- Interested in getting your music into production music libraries?

Below are reputable, high-level music organizations
that have ongoing events for songwriters and composers.

​Click on the event logo for more information.
Some of these organizations also have a chapter in 

New York and Nashville.

In most cases, you do not have to be a member of the organization
​to attend their special events, conferences, and monthly meetings.

However, most require that you create a free account or
contact them to be placed on their email list.

Many of these organizations also work with NSAI going to
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to fight for
songwriters' and composers' rights.


For Nashville events, click HERE
Picture
AIMP - Association of Independent Music Publishers. The monthly lunch meetings at Lawry's in Beverly Hills are open to all.
Picture
GMS - Guild of Music Supervisors. Annual Conference in Hollywood in the Fall is open to all. Volunteers can attend for free.
Picture
The SCL - The Society of Composers and Songwriters is usually for members only and invited guests. The SCL hosts workshops, film screenings, etc.
Picture
CCC - California Copyright Conference holds monthly dinner meetings in Los Angeles (Encino/Sherman Oaks area) that are open to all.
Picture
PMA - Production Music Association. Their Annual PMC (Production Music Conference) in the Fall is open to all.
Picture
The Grammy Museum is open to all. However, members are invited to special concerts in the Clive Davis Theater featuring Hit Songwriters and Artists.
Picture
ASMAC - American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers. They host events open to all. Past special guests have included Richard Carpenter and Alan & Marilyn Bergman.
Picture
There are many more events closer to home in California, Hawaii, Colorado, and other parts of the West Coast.

Want more NSAI Songwriting Events?
All NSAI Chapter Meetings have been
canceled until further notice

Check out the NSAI Malibu Chapter, led by Nitanee Paris Lawson. 
​Visit the Chapter Facebook Page
 for updates and important information. 
Also, check out the
NSAI Los Angeles Chapter, led by Rick Karatas.
NSAI Members can attend any Chapter meeting in the world for free!
If you’re not a current member, you can attend regular meetings
​and get feedback on your song for a nominal fee.

Picture

​Attend NSAI Meetings in Other Cities and Countries

Picture
NSAI has over 130 regional Chapters around the world,
and when you're a member of NSAI, you can attend a regular meeting
at any Chapter for FREE (remember to bring your membership card).
Check out 
the ​NSAI Los Angeles/Pasadena Chapter and the Malibu Chapter.
​
To find Chapters in other states or countries, click HERE 

Important News from The Library of Congress
​Copyright Office

Picture
Effective March 20, 2020
New fees to register music recordings and compositions

For the new copyright fee schedule, click HERE


Regarding copyrighting a collection of songs:
The option for registering a “collection” of unpublished works
with the PA Form, Performing Arts Form, which includes songs,
and the SR Form, which is the Sound Recordings Form,
was eliminated on March 15, 2019.
For the PA Form and SR Form, click HERE
​Paper applications may no longer be used to register multiple unpublished works.
Beginning March 15, 2019, you may register up to 10 unpublished works using
​the new electronic application for a “Group of Unpublished Works.”  
Read more HERE

NSAI Member Benefits

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​WHY JOIN NSAI? 
NSAI is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to songwriting.
Membership benefits include FREE monthly meetings, 
song evaluations,
networking with industry guests like hit songwriters, publishers, music supervisors, music attorneys,
as well as meeting potential co-writers, collaborators, singers, and musicians.

You will also have access to resources on the NSAI Nashville website like
12 online song evaluations, and member forums.
Plus, you'll get discounts to
 special events in Nashville like Song Camp and Tin Pan South.

HISTORY OF NSAI
In 1967 there were approximately 80 songwriters in Nashville, Tennessee. 
Eddie Miller, who wrote the classic song “Please Release Me, Let Me Go,”
was determined that the songwriters needed a “voice.” 
Over lunch, he, Buddy Mize and Bill Brock envisioned the Nashville Songwriters Association.  

The first organizational meeting was held at the Old Professional's Club on Music Row.
Forty-one songwriters were founding members of the organization including
Kris Kristofferson, Marijohn Wilkin, Jerry Chestnut, Danny Dill, Liz and Casey Anderson,
Felice
and Boudleaux Bryant, and Ted Harris.


THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
​
NSAI in Nashville owns and operates the world-famous Bluebird Cafe,
recently featured on the ABC TV show
"Nashville."
Many songwriters like Kathy Mattea, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, 
​
and Taylor Swift got their start at the Bluebird or through NSAI.  
​For more information about the Bluebird, click
HERE. 
JOIN NSAI NOW!

© 2012-2020 All material is copyrighted and is original or was used with permission. All rights reserved.

    Join the NSAI San Diego Monthly Newsletter Email

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​The Next NSAI San Diego Chapter Meeting Will Be
ONLINE with ZOOM on
​Sunday, March 19, 2023, 3:00 PM
(California / Pacific West Coast Standard Time)
​
​
​
​
Meetings Hosted by
NSAI San Diego Chapter Coordinators

Tracey and Vance Marino
Songwriters, Composers, Producers, and Authors of the
new #1 Best Selling 
Educational Book About Sync

Hey That's My Song: A Guide to Getting Music Placements in
Film, TV, and Media​
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​​​© 2012-2023 All material is copyrighted on this website and is original or was used with permission.  All rights reserved.
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™