Who says you have to know how to carry a tune to write a song?

New Westminster, BC – The New Westminster Torch Relay Celebration Committee, in partnership with the City of New Westminster and the School Alliance of Student Songwriters (SASS BC), is pleased to invite New Westminster residents of all ages and musical abilities to attend Song Camp, a free, two-hour workshop designed to teach the basics of song writing and reveal how easy song writing can be.

The Song Camp is hosted by Don McLeod, co-founder of the School Alliance of Student Songwriters (SASS BC) and a co-presenter with the City of New Westminster of Song Search New West, a song writing and performing contest. The Song Camp will be held at the Tom Lee Music Hall, a two hundred and forty seat theatre in the Tom Lee Music store located downtown, at 929 Granville Street, on Sat. Nov. 28, from noon – 2 pm.

“All you need is pen, paper and your imagination,” said Song Camp facilitator, Don McLeod. “You don’t even have to know how to hum a tune to be able to write a song. Your voice doesn’t have to be perfect. I’m a songwriter who, when he’s writing, is known as ‘the guy who sings out of tune.’” said McLeod.

In the last four years Don has taught hundreds of BC students how to write songs with the School Alliance of Student Song Writers (SASS). He has won song writing contests and written songs with some of the most successful songwriters in the world: Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams, Aerosmith), Vincent De Giorgio (N*SYNC, Love Inc), Brian Howes (Daughtry, Hinder, Hedley) and many more.

The Song Camp is made possible with the assistance of Song Search New West’s new sponsor, Tom Lee Music. “At Tom Lee Music we know how good it feels to write a song, so don't miss this great chance to learn how easy song writing can be,” said Richard Howland, Business Development Manager, Tom Lee Music.

“Don McLeod is a multi-talented song writer and music producer who has generously connected our committee to his network of colleagues and friends and sponsors, including Tom Lee Music, and is making Song Search New West and Song Camp a reality, said Lorraine Brett, Chair, Promotions sub-committee, New Westminster Torch Relay Celebration Committee.

“The arrival of the Torch in New Westminster on Feb 9, 2010, will have a soul stirring impact. We believe the song contest will engage citizens, inspire them to dream, and ultimately encourage them to come alive with the joy of a new and richer sense of themselves in connection with each other, our City and the world.” said Brett.
 

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About Song Search New West
New Westminster musicians of all ages and abilities are invited to write and perform a song for the first ever Song Search New West contest. A panel of celebrity and music industry judges has been selected to review the submissions.

Song Search New West is expected to build excitement for New Westminster’s Torch Relay Community Celebration to be held in Queen’s Park on Feb. 9, 2010, where the Song Search New West contest winner will perform their song. Contest prizes also include a professional recording session with Don McLeod, song writer, music producer and co-founder of the School Alliance of Student Songwriters (SASS BC). 

Judges include: TV actor Graham Wardle (“Ty” on CBC’s Heartland); Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, of Chief Music Management, a former long-serving sound manager for the internationally successful rock band Nickleback and current manager of popular rock bands Faber Drive and Hinder; Don McLeod, a New Westminster resident and co-founder of the School Alliance of Student Songwriters (SASS).

Song Search submissions must be original, videotaped and of no more than three and a half minutes in total length. The digital video must be submitted to www.songsearchnewwest.com by the composer of the song, who must be a minimum of ten years of age and a resident of New Westminster. Digital submissions must be made to the website www.songsearchnewwest.com beginning Nov. 30 at 4:30pm and no later than Jan. 11 at 4:30 pm. The winner will be announced Jan. 18, 2010. Full contest details can be found at www.songsearchnewwest.com.

About Tom Lee Music
Tom Lee Music has been bringing music making to British Columbian communities since 1969 and is one of the largest musical instrument retailers in North America. The company offers the best in brand name musical instruments from handmade Steinway grand pianos to legendary Fender guitars to the latest Pro Tools for digital music recording. It also offers a wide array of services for beginner and professional musicians alike, including affordable financing, rentals, repairs and music lessons.

Tom Lee Music is well known for its local community support and for its dedication to music excellence and music education. It has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Vancouver Board of Trade Business and the Arts Award for Sustained Support, the Henry Z. Steinway Award, the Consumer Choice for Business Excellence: Gold Award 1999–2008, and many “best of” and “readers choice” awards.

Please visit www.tomleemusic.ca for more information.
 

Contact:
Lorraine Brett
Chair, Promotions Sub-Committee
New Westminster Torch Relay Celebrations Committee
604-351-8497
lorrainebrett@shaw.ca