ASCAP Planning Songwriters Workshops

ASCAP is planning two separate songwriters workshops focused on Pop and Christian music. They will both run for six consecutive weekly sessions beginning in September, with each meeting featuring prominent music industry guest speakers giving advice on A&R, music publishing, legal issues, and more.

Serving as moderator for the Pop workshop will be songwriter/artist Robert Ellis Orrall. He is writer of three No. 1 songs and three hundred cuts recorded by artists like Lindsay Lohan and Taylor Swift. He also started Nashville’s rock label Infinity Cat Recordings which was previously home to Be Your Own Pet.

Confirmed presenters at the Christian workshop include the co-writers of ASCAP’s 2009 Christian Song of the Year, Matthew West and Sam Mizell. Also featured will be skilled music executives from EMI, Word, INO Records and others. Music businesswoman Cindy Wilt-Colville will facilitate.

The workshops are provided by the ASCAP Foundation free of charge to promising new songwriters who are ASCAP members or non-members. Attendance is limited.

How to apply: Submissions must two original songs (may be co-written)on a CD only, with typed lyrics and a brief bio/resume. CD must be labeled, including song titles, writer’s name, address, phone number and email; mailed or dropped off to ASCAP Nashville, Attention: 2009 ASCAP Foundation Pop or Christian Songwriters Workshop, Two Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. Submissions will not be returned. Pop submissions should be marked attention: Jesse Willoughby.

For details on the Pop Workshop, click here, or contact Jesse Willoughby at (615) 742-5000. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 4.

Submissions for the Christian Workshop are due Mon., Aug. 31. For questions, call ASCAP at (615) 742-5000.