WASHINGTON – Top names in music, technology, law, academia and policy will convene in Montreal, Canada from October 5-7, 2006 to discuss crucial issues facing musicians and the music industry. Presented in partnership with McGill University’s Schulich School of Music and Pop Montreal, the Policy Summit will provide musicians, students, attorneys, advocates and policymakers with opportunity to examine the critical issues facing the international music community through a robust debate.
By convening this Summit in Montreal, Canada, FMC will broaden the scope of its annual educational program to address the variety of issues that are affecting musicians and music communities in the US, Canada, and worldwide as production, promotion and sales increasingly moves to a global digital platform. The Policy Summit will be held in conjunction with the fifth annual Pop Montreal International Music Festival (October 4-8, 2006), a five day festival of independent music, film, art, and ideas.
FMC has convened and hosted five Policy Summits in Washington, DC since 2000, each bringing hundreds of musicians, policymakers, advocates, attorneys, and technologists together for engaging discussions about emerging music/technology issues.
Widely praised by advocates and industry alike, FMC’s Policy Summit has built a reputation as “a kind of Geneva where all sides in any number of contentious music industry fights can get together and play nice for a few days.” Even more importantly, the Policy Summits offer policymakers “a rare opportunity to hear musicians articulate their concerns in person instead of relying on competing lobbying groups that claim to espouse their interests” (Washington Post, May 6, 2004).
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to take the Policy Summit to a new level this year, “ said FMC executive director, Jenny Toomey. “McGill University’s Schulich School of Music provides a perfect setting, with its vast resources and unparalleled prominence in the Canadian music and academic communities. Plus, programming the Summit in conjunction with Pop Montreal provides the event with an excellent context and the opportunity to bring many new independent and creative voices into the discussions.”
About McGill University’s Schulich School of Music
With over 800 students, the Schulich School of Music has been named one of the top 12 music schools in North America. McGill has developed into Canada’s artistic and academic leader for professional training and research in music. At McGill’s Schulich School of Music, the art of music making and the science of music research work in tandem for the advancement of learning through musical experience. Building on these combined strengths, McGill’s goal is to develop musicians who are as comfortable in the recording studio and research lab as they are on the performing stage, and scientific researchers in music who are as sensitive to artistic complexity as they are to scientific outcomes.
About Pop Montreal
Launched by friends and colleagues in 2002, Pop Montreal is an annual not-for-profit curated cultural event that champions independence in the arts by presenting emerging and celebrated artistic talents from Quebec, Canada and around the world. Set in a multi-lingual environment, each year this 5-day festival presents more than 400 artistic talents to over 37,000 fans, delivering a bold cross-section of art forms and events including symposium discussions, artisan and visual art exhibitions, and special immersive performances, providing a dynamic introduction to the next generation of musical talent and independent art forms.
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More