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Fighting to protect the value of songs in a new music marketplace

 
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OUR SUPPORTERS

 
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Who Are We?

 
 
 
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An advocacy organization formed by and for professional songwriters to fight for our rights, including:

  • Our right to fair pay in the age of digital media

  • Our right to speak out and give a collective voice to the songwriting community

  • In lieu of a union to uphold the standards of safety and equality in our workplaces, where music is created

 
 
 
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What does SONA do?

The current rates paid to writers by music streaming media companies are grossly unfair, unsustainable, and unacceptable.

We’ve assembled some of the most fiercely passionate and hardworking people from all corners of the songwriting world to educate, strategize, and mobilize…and with our support team, comprised of truly the best creative-rights legal minds in our industry, we are making a difference.

+ How can you help?

By joining SONA you can help change things for the better for our songwriting community. With a bigger and louder voice, we can help increase our rates so that they are fair and sustainable and uphold high standards and equality in our work places.

+ Why join SONA?

Did you know that roughly ¾ of what a songwriter earns is decided and controlled by outdated government regulations that have seen very little change in the last 75+ years?

Did you know that songwriters are not allowed to unionize under current U.S. law?

There have been a number of well-intentioned songwriter organizations created over the years but because of these outdated regulations, songwriters have had a splintered voice at best. 
 It’s time for all songwriters to come together and have a unified voice. SONA was created to be that voice... AND to make sure that it’s heard!

Click on the question for more

 
 

 FEATURED EVENTS

 
 
Featured
Virtual Advocacy Boot Camp @ NYU
Sep 24
Virtual Advocacy Boot Camp @ NYU

As an introduction into understanding SONA’s efforts and the nuances of what is currently happening in the industry, we are providing Advocacy Bootcamps (ABCs), where professional songwriters on our Board will lead a custom ”Convo and Q&A” via ZOOM with songwriter attendees.

Virtual Advocacy Boot Camp @ Georgetown University
Sep 30
Virtual Advocacy Boot Camp @ Georgetown University

As an introduction into understanding SONA’s efforts and the nuances of what is currently happening in the industry, we are providing Advocacy Bootcamps (ABCs), where professional songwriters on our Board will lead a custom ”Convo and Q&A” via ZOOM with songwriter attendees.

MLC: How Self-Administered Songwriters Can Get Started and Play Their Part
Oct 1
MLC: How Self-Administered Songwriters Can Get Started and Play Their Part

Each webinar in this series will include a recap of The MLC’s activities to-date and our plans for the future. We’ll discuss eligibility for joining The MLC and how self-administered writers can Connect to Collect to receive the digital audio mechanical royalties they’re owed.

Virtual Advocacy Boot Camp @ USC
Nov 12
Virtual Advocacy Boot Camp @ USC

As an introduction into understanding SONA’s efforts and the nuances of what is currently happening in the industry, we are providing Advocacy Bootcamps (ABCs), where professional songwriters on our Board will lead a custom ”Convo and Q&A” via ZOOM with songwriter attendees.

 

 LATEST NEWS

 

LET’S GET SOCIAL

 
 
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It's the "21st night of September" and all of us at SONA are missing our friend and member, the unforgettable ALLEE WILLIS. We celebrate you and remember you fondly on this day, and always. Badeya, baby!!
TOMORROW!! The Money Next Door: Neighboring Rights IAFAR and SONA are teaming up to bring you a panel discussion on Neighbouring Rights at 11AM PT on September 21st. Must Register for the zoom link: Link In Bio! Do you know what Neighboring Rights are? Whether you’ve been in the industry for years or you’re an up and coming artist, few songwriters know and/or understand what neighboring rights are, how to claim and collect them, and what they need to do to maximize these earnings. This educational panel will feature four folks from The Independent Alliance for Artist Rights (IAFAR), a new organisation specifically formed to tackle issues across this income stream: Naomi Asher, VP of Neighboring Rights at Sony/ATV; Ann Tausis, CEO of Kobalt Neighbouring Rights Limited Shari Hoffman, CEO and Co-Founder of Transparence Entertainment Group and Dennis Dreith, Chairman and Co-Founder of Transparence Entertainment Group This panel will be moderated by Abby North, Owner of North Music Group.
We, like many of you are mourning the loss of the venerable Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We lost someone of great humility, power, and grace. Her indelible impact and purpose to elevate people of all kinds was what made her magical. Tonight the world is little darker for having lost such a beacon of hope. With the utmost respect, Rest In Power and forever in peace.
We take civics very seriously around here! Clearly, just look at all the pictures of us in DC advocating for songwriter rights! So, are you registered to vote? What are you doing to stay engaged? Are you doing anything to make sure your community is registered for Nov. 3rd? Let us know and we’ll share some of our favorite responses!
Join us on this Very Special Nashville Songwriters Open Mic Night Round Hosted by the talented @shanestevensmusic & @karynrochelle . This dynamic duo have written hits for many of countries most illustrious artist. They will be bringing in some of the best songwriters they know to share some old hits and some new songs! Streamed live on SONA’s Facebook page on Sept 28th! Donations will go towards the @songwriterfund 💫
Be heard! Take part in the @exploration.io and the @nashchamber report on the changes in the global music industry with a focus on the impacts of COVID-19. Deadline is Sept 15! Check the link in bio to participate! #musicbiz #covidmusic
Woohoo!! Thanks to all our partners and friends for working to make this happen! Truly a team effort 👯‍♀️👯‍♂️ “This legislation ensures musicians and other creative workers can continue to live, create, and thrive in California. California’s leaders promised efforts to protect workers with a bill that would not undermine or destabilize the state’s vital music economy. Today, they have kept that promise. AB 2257 restores California’s leadership as a home to the creative arts and creates clear, fair rules of the road for freelance, union, and independent artists in the state.”
SONA’s own @adamgorgoni will be on the CPIP panel “Implementing the Music Modernization Act” on Sept 9th at 10:30 AM EST! He’ll be talking about the @mlc_us and more alongside @nmpaorg , the U.S. Copyright Office and Moderator Prof. Mark Schultz! Check out the whole event for amazing panels and a keynote from @mrslev 🎶 #CPIPMUSIC2020
Congratulations to Senator @edmarkey of Massachusetts on his decisive win yesterday! Songwriters have few greater champions in Congress than Malden’s finest. We love this guy! . . . #songwriters #gettherateright #mapoli #advocacy #USSenate
WE BOW!! • Congratulations to SONA events co-chairs @michellefeatherstone1 + @pamsheyne for pulling off one of our greatest events ever and doing it in the middle of a pandemic, y’all! • Thanks to all the incredible music supervisors who gave so generously of their time + knowledge + and awesome stories! • MVP 🏆 to SONA organization czar @thewholedurnsky for creating all the catchy visuals and solid tech that kept their vision running smoothly for a whole month! VIVA LA #SYNCMONTH 💯💯💯
57 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told us about his dream. It is our solemn duty to see his vision through. Systematic racism propped up by the scourge of white supremacy in the United States cannot stand. What am I doing to stop it? . . . #BlackLivesMatter #ihaveadream #cashthatcheck #marchonwashington #mlk #mlkjr #Justice #fuckracism
The final Sync Month event is upon us! We’re so excited to end the month with a bang with the President of the @guildofmusicsupervisors Joel C High — Monday at 4PM PT ⚡️ Register via the link in bio 🔥🔥
 
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MEMBERSHIP 

 
 
 
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WANT TO JOIN SONA?

If you are affiliated as a songwriter/composer, music publisher, music industry professional or want to support SONA’s mission, you can be a member. 

 

 

DONATE TO SONA

If you would like to support SONA’s legislative efforts, please click the button below to donate to the SONA Jay Rosenthal Songwriter Action Fund.

 
 
 
 

 CONTACT US

 
 
 
 

Mailing Address
9000 Sunset Blvd., Suite 800
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Contact SONA

General Questions: info@wearesona.com

To host a SONA educational event: education@wearesona.com

For legislative questions: legislative@wearesona.com


For ANY OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE USE THE FORM BELOW

 
 
 

#MusicArmy strong!

 
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