Professional organizations for composers

How many of you guys are a member of a professional organization for composers? If so which one?

For those who are not a member of one, you should really consider joining one. I read thread after thread about how many of you can not get your pieces performed. Many of these organizations send out list of opportunities for performances or have conventions in where they perform its member's pieces. Other organizations help with legal things such as copywriters and royalties.

Here are some websites of professional organizations for composers. Check 'em out!

American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

College Music Society (CMS) - www.music.org

Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI) - Society of Composers, Inc.

American Composers Forum (ACF) - American Composers Forum

National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA) - National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA)

The Center for the Promotion of Contemporary Composers (CPCC) - The Center for the Promotion of Contemporary Composers

(I am a member of NACUSA, SCI and CPCC) My professor is resident member of CPCC

This is probably a stupid question, but do any of them not have fees? Or at least, are affordable for someone who's currently paying a proverbial arm and leg for college?

Thanks for this plutokat. I know of ASCAP and also the American Music Center (NewMusicBox is their website - best part is their interviews with established American composers very inspiring and some marketing and presentation advice). Will check those other sites out. YC admins should have this as a sticky. What about those YCer's abroad?

Also, would add Sequenza21 website has reviews of CDs of modern music (that is by mostly living composers), some interesting threads, notices of performances and once in awhile competition notices. This isn't a professional organization but it is accessed by more working, professional composers (BTW, you cannot post compositions for advice at these sites!).

I'm a member of SOCAN: Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada The Canadian counterpart to ASCAP or BMI.

This is probably a stupid question, but do any of them not have fees? Or at least, are affordable for someone who's currently paying a proverbial arm and leg for college?

the whole point of a "professional organisation" is that it is FOR professionals.. not for students who can't afford to pay fees.

the whole point of a "professional organisation" is that it is FOR professionals.. not for students who can't afford to pay fees.

Point taken.

Though I'm sure there are some professionals who can't afford to pay fees either. ;)

Does anyone know of any in the UK?

the whole point of a "professional organisation" is that it is FOR professionals.. not for students who can't afford to pay fees.

What about professionals who can't pay the fees?

:toothygrin:

This is probably a stupid question, but do any of them not have fees? Or at least, are affordable for someone who's currently paying a proverbial arm and leg for college?

a lot of them are very affordable if you take into account of what you can gain from one of these groups.

the whole point of a "professional organisation" is that it is FOR professionals.. not for students who can't afford to pay fees.

When does one cease being a student?

When does one cease being a student?

well, at least not while you're in school.

I think of my father, who was a member of IEEE (the electrical engineers professional organization)... they didn't let anyone in until they had their first degree.

It varies from organization to organization. Writer groups have discounts for students, same with physics, and math ones. You should refer to your university and see what professional groups your university supports and then join it! If that option doesn't exist, then find a student group and join it!

they didn't let anyone in until they had their first degree.

Plus the program you obtain your degree has to be certified. Engineering organizations have strict rules. My dad tried to explain to me the purpose once, fell asleep soon after he started to talk.

I am still a student and I am a member of ASCAP: I plan (hopefully) to continue with my music professionally, so I joined now. As far as I know, ASCAP, BMI, they both charge a one-time fee, like 25$. If you music is going to be getting performances, then it's worth it. If your music is gonna be getting the 'leave-it-in-the-barn' treatment, then you probably aren't a professional. :-P

the whole point of a "professional organisation" is that it is FOR professionals.. not for students who can't afford to pay fees.

I'm a student and I am in three of them. I have to be for my major plus it helps to be in one as a student when it comes to networking for a future job. In fact at our last NACUSA conference we disscussed about how to recruit more college student. I also know the SCI has college chapters.

the whole point of a "professional organisation" is that it is FOR professionals.. not for students who can't afford to pay fees.

What did the musican without job say to the musician with a job?

One Big Mac please.

What did the musican without job say to the musician with a job?

One Big Mac please.

lulz.

So true. -_-

And what do you call a drummer without a girlfriend?

homeless.. :angry:

Much better answer. In fact I may even delete my post. :o

I'm part of ASCAP.

Im a member of Grammy U and ASCAP