ASCAP Announces Events and Activities to Celebrate

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hits its 100-year milestone on February 13th, 2014 and will celebrate the centennial with a new book, two commissioned short films including a collaborative song and music video, and an innovative website featuring a timeline of ASCAP’s rich history. In addition, celebratory and educational events spanning the country will include a Library of Congress exhibit in Washington DC, reflecting ASCAP’s energy and expertise throughout its history advocating for music creator’s rights.

“ASCAP’s 100th birthday provides us with an exciting opportunity to celebrate our future as much as our history,” says ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. “It gives us a chance to honor and thank our members for creating the music that touches the world, while emphasizing ASCAP’s ongoing and important role in helping to shape a musical landscape where everyone wins – music creators, businesses and everyone who loves music.”

Here is a list of events and activities ASCAP is presenting to mark its 100th year:

•     “More Than the Stars” Song and Music Video Premiere/ Online / December 17, 2013: A result of ASCAP’s 100th birthday Why We Create Music commissioned film project was this inspiring anthem, co-written by all of the film’s participants.

•    A Friend in the Music Business: The ASCAP Story Book Release / February 4, 2014: Author Bruce Pollock explores the historical and cultural impact of ASCAP as an organization that helps music creators earn a living and advance their careers, along with societal and technological changes that have shaped and challenged “a friend in the business.”

•    Library of Congress Exhibit / Washington, DC / February 13 – July 26: Official ribbon-cutting of Exhibit showcasing 100 years of ASCAP history will happen on February 25th, 2014, followed by a U.S. Copyright Office panel and performance featuring legendary songwriters ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams and ASCAP Board Vice Chair Jimmy Webb.

•    Paley Center Discussion / Beverly Hills, CA / February, April & October: A discussion series spotlighting some of ASCAP's Film & TV, musical theatre and pop members.

•    ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame Induction at the New York Institute of Technology Auditorium / New York, NY / June 9, 2014:  A musical celebration of Jazz legends of the past and present, and presentation of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, a program of The ASCAP Foundation.

•    Celebration of ASCAP Film & TV Music / Pasadena, CA / August 16: The Pasadena Pops, under the Direction of Michael Feinstein, perform prominent ASCAP Film & TV themes.

•    “Happy 100th Birthday ASCAP” Thunderclap / Online / February 13, 2014: Visitors to ASCAP100.com will collectively wish ASCAP a Happy Birthday across social media.

•      ASCAP’s 100th Birthday Celebration at Brooklyn Bowl / Brooklyn, NY / February 13, 2014: An invite-only celebration of ASCAP’s 100th birthday featuring ASCAP music and special guests.

•    ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO / Los Angeles, CA / April 24 – 26, 2014: The premiere conference for all songwriters, composers and producers offering educational panels, networking opportunities and career guidance.

•    Michael Feinstein Celebrates the ASCAP Centennial at Carnegie Hall / New York, NY / April 30, 2014: Pianist and performer Feinstein is joined by special guests in a musical tribute to ASCAP at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.

•    The ASCAP Foundation Presents: “We Write the Songs” at the Library of Congress / Washington, DC / May 6, 2014:  A musical celebration of The ASCAP Foundation gift to the Library of Congress of the ASCAP Collection of archival materials. An all-star lineup of leading ASCAP songwriters will take the stage of the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium to perform their own hit songs and celebrate ASCAP’s 100th anniversary.

•    Library of Congress Exhibit / Los Angeles, CA / September 20, 2014 –February 14, 2015: The exhibit from Washington, DC will move to Los Angeles for the second half of the year.

•    ASCAP Foundation Fundraiser / New York, NY / November 17, 2014: First-ever fundraiser benefiting The ASCAP Foundation where legendary members will be honored with one-time ASCAP Foundation Centennial Awards.

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With over 480,000 members representing more than 9 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com