HALIFAX, April 2, 2006 -- The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced the launch of the "Music is My Business!" website. This interactive site is designed to assist users as they work within the Canadian music industry."As the 21st century begins, the development of new technologies is changing the environment and marketplace. This innovative site will allow artists and music-lovers to find a wealth of interesting and practical information about the ever-evolving Canadian music industry," said Minister Oda.The website will enable users to study the music industry's various revenue streams. For example, it will explain how funds are distributed after the sale of a ticket to a live performance, the broadcast of a piece of music on the radio, or the request of an original musical work by a film producer. The site will also discuss what rights are involved with different transactions and who holds those rights."Music is My Business!" is completely accessible to the visually impaired. The site was designed and created by Michel Normandeau, a former member of legendary Quebec rock group Harmonium, who currently works for the Department of Canadian Heritage.On the occasion of the website launch, Minister Oda announced a national contest designed to create a soundtrack for this new website. Contestants have until September 15 to submit their original compositions. The winning entry will be selected by a jury co-chaired by Gilles Valiquette, a Quebec-based writer-composer-performer, and Terry Kelly, a visually impaired writer-composer-performer, originally from Halifax. The winning musical work will be announced in fall 2006, and its creator will receive a $10,000 contract.You can visit "Music is My Business!" at music.gc.ca, where you will also find more information about the contest and an entry form.Information: Donald BoulangerA/Chief, Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819 997-9314BACKGROUNDERA Unique Idea"Music: It's My Business!" is a unique website created to explain the sometimes complex workings of the music industry. Developed by the Department of Canadian Heritage and officially launched in April 2006, the site offers original, bilingual information and practical insight on Canada's music industry.Find out how revenues flow when a consumer buys a concert ticket, a radio station airs recorded music, a student buys sheet music, or a film producer commissions an original work from a composer or songwriter. Learn about what rights are involved and who owns them.Don't wait. Visit "Music: It's My Business!" at music.gc.ca.This site is completely accessible to the visually impaired.Music Theme Contest ($10,000 prize)To give the "Music: It's My Business!" website its own unique musical signature, the Department of Canadian Heritage has launched a national music contest that encourages contestants to write and produce two original pieces of instrumental musical. A total of $10,000 will be awarded through the Music Theme Contest. The sum will be presented in two prizes of equal value: $5,000 will go to the winning composer(s) in exchange for the rights to reproduce and use their musical works and another $5,000 will be awarded to the producer(s) of the sound recording of the musical works in exchange for similar rights.The deadline for submitting entries to the Music Theme Contest is September 15, 2006. The winning musical works will be chosen by a jury co-chaired by singer-songwriters Terry Kelly of Nova Scotia and Gilles Valiquette of Quebec. You can find contest rules and details, information on the selection criteria and selection process, and an entry form at music.gc.ca.
