CHANGES
SoundExchange Acquires the CMRRA
U.S.-based SoundExchange has acquired the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), the
music licensing collective that represents the majority of songs recorded, sold, and broadcast in Canada on
behalf of music publishers. The move is a major development for the Canadian music industry and represents
SoundExchange’s first expansion into the collective management of music publishing rights.
The CMRRA will continue to operate out of its Toronto headquarters. SoundExchange and the CMRRA say
they will continue to work independently and serve their current customers while also exploring collaborative
opportunities such as sharing core services. CMRRA President Caroline Rioux and her senior management
team will remain with the operation, reporting to the board of directors of SXWorks, a new subsidiary of
CMRRA PRES. CAROLINE RIOUX
SoundExchange.
“The board initiated its search for a strategic partner for CMRRA nearly a year ago,” says Gary Furniss, chair of the current CMRRA
board of directors and president of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada. “The board was committed to finding a firm with the right
mix of music industry know-how and a culture of digital entrepreneurship. SoundExchange fit the bill. Additionally, the opportunity
for data collaboration will inevitably increase the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of royalty payments for everyone.”
Details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
For more information, contact the CMRRA: 416-926-1966, www.cmrra.ca.
EDDIE KRAMER WITH FANS AT COSMOFEST
Thousands Descend on
CosmoFEST 2017
Around 12,000 people, from music profes-
sionals to families, descended on Cosmo
Music in Richmond Hill, ON for the third annu-
al CosmoFEST concert and expo. The event,
held June 3 rd , featured a free concert head-
lined by Mother Mother with support from
Honeymoon Suite, The Beaches, Meghan
Patrick, and more.
The 14,000-sq.-ft. gear exhibit tent hosted
over 200 product experts representing over
120 brands while the nearby Community
Zone featured family activities, opportunities
for children to test out new instruments,
exhibits from emerging services for music
consumers and musicians, and more.
The lineup of renowned musicians lead-
ing Cosmopolitan Music Hall Performance
Clinics included drummer Chris Coleman, gui-
tarist Nili Brosh, bassist Alain Caron, drummer
Dennis Chambers, and guitarist Nita Strauss.
There was also a meet and greet with legend-
ary producer and engineer Eddie Kramer.
For more information, contact Cosmo
Music: 905-770-5222, support@cosmomusic.
ca, www.cosmomusic.ca.
12 • C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N
RCM Forms New Canadian Global Music
Orchestra for Canada 150
A major initiative by the Royal Conservatory of Music, which celebrates the cultural
diversity and pluralism of Canada as it turns 150, is the formation of the New Cana-
dian Global Music Orchestra. This project, conceived by Mervon Mehta, executive
director of performing arts, is led by Artistic Director David Buchbinder, the JUNO
Award-winning trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and cultural inventor. More than
100 Canadians hailing from 47 countries applied to be in the orchestra, out of which
12 members have been chosen after three rounds of auditions.
The orchestra’s debut concert at Koerner Hall in Toronto was June 2, 2017 and
they have more shows planned through the year and into 2018.
For more information and concert listings, go to performance.rcmusic.ca.
… According to Nielsen's Music 360 Canada Report, music consumption in Canada
continues to rise. Ninety-three percent of Canadians listen to music, up from 89
per cent a year ago. This rise is likely explained by the continuing move toward
mobile consumption with over half of the Canadian population now listening
to music via smartphone in a typical week. Canadians are also spending more
time listening to music, with the average hours per week rising to 32, up from 24.
Those who stream music tend to listen for 44 hours a week.