Chapter Events

We gather at our monthly Chapter Meetings to discuss our shared passion for the craft of songwriting and share our songwriting experiences and insights.  Meetings consist of news and announcements of NSAI events and opportunities, an educational presentation by Chapter Coordinators on some element of songwriting craft or songwriting business, and then a peer feedback session in which all participants have an opportunity to play or perform one song they've written or co-written to the group and receive a valuable outside perspective on it. 

MEETING LOCATION:

The OKC Chapter's monthly meetings take place in the Songwriting Room on the first floor of the Academy of Contemporary Music, centrally located in the Bricktown area.  Enter from the East door unless signage says otherwise. Free street-side parking is available North of the building along the streets Sheridan, Oklahoma and Main (these are metered parking spots during the day but are free in the evening).  Two pay lots are also available immediately to the North and South of the ACM building.

JOINING MONTHLY MEETINGS VIRTUALLY:

Anyone who wishes to join an OKC Chapter Meeting virtually online via the Zoom Workplace app (click here to download) can receive a private weblink to join the meeting one of three ways.  

• NSAI Website Messages Inbox: NSAI Members affiliated with the OKC Chapter receive virtual joining links every month to their message inboxes on the NSAI website.
• Facebook Group Event Description: Those who are part of the OKC Chapter's private Facebook Group can find the joining link in the description of the Facebook Events created for each Chapter Meeting.  
• Request Through Our Contact Form: For those who are not NSAI Members nor a part of the Facebook Group, they may reach out to Chapter Coordinators utilizing the OKC Chapter's contact form (click here) and request the join link be sent to them. 

WHO CAN COME TO MONTHLY MEETINGS?:

Songwriters of all genres and all levels of ability are welcome.  NSAI Membership is not a requirement for attending the meeting.  Residency in the state of Oklahoma is also not a requirement. If participants wish to bring a family member with them, that is allowed as well.

IS THERE A COST TO ATTEND THE MONTHLY MEETING?:

NSAI Members can attend as many of any Chapter Meeting anywhere in the world as an included part of their paid membership and they do not need to pay any additional fees for these meetings.  People who are not NSAI Members are also welcome to attend two of our meetings for free, and then after that we encourage Non-Member participants to sign up for one of the NSAI's monthly or yearly membership plans (click here) to continue participating in our Chapter Meetings.

BRINGING A SONG TO SHARE FOR PEER FEEDBACK AT THE MONTHLY MEETING:

Bringing an original song to share with the group is not a requirement to participate in the meeting.  But for those who do want to share a song in the peer feedback portion of our meetings, we ask they use our online sign-up form (click here) before 5pm on the day of the meeting to get on the list.  Songs can be played live or a recording can be uploaded via the sign-up form.  If playing live, the songwriter should bring their own instrument to the meeting or plan to play it on the baby grand piano in our meeting room.  Lyrics should be provided using the sign-up form but we also encourage songwriters bring print outs of lyric sheets (approximately 12 copies) so other attendees can provide written commentary if desired.

HOW OUR PEER FEEDBACK SESSIONS WORK:

First we will read/listen to songs from NSAI Members in the order that those Members signed-up on the online sign-up form before that day’s deadline of 5pm.  Then we will read/listen to songs submitted from those who are not NSAI Members, also in the order each of those individuals have signed-up.  Lastly, and only if there is still time, we will read/listen to any songs from participants who wish to present but did not sign-up online before the 5pm deadline. Before we read/listen to each song, we encourage the songwriter to tell the group what their goal is for writing the song and what kind of feedback would be most helpful to get from the group in order to achieve that goal.  If there are too many songs to realistically listen to fully and comment on while still ending the meeting on time, each song might only be partially played. After reading / listening to each song, we will go around the table and one by one provide any compliments, observations and suggestions, if we have them.  Coordinators will say their comments last before moving on to the next song.  With each new round of commentary, the person who gives their comments first will change so that no one is stuck in the position to always speak first or always speak last.  Those who are joining the meeting virtually over Zoom will have their faces up on a screen at the end of the group table, and for all intents and purposes will be considered to be occupying that spot at the table when turns are being taken to speak. 

WHAT KIND OF THINGS WILL PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOUR SONG?

Our purpose for providing peer feedback on songs is to help the songwriter achieve whatever their personal goal is for writing that song.  Whether they are a recording artist and are writing it to record and release themselves, or writing it to pitch to other music industry professionals, or are just writing it for fun as a hobby!  Some songwriters might want to know whether the meaning of their song is clear or not. Some might want to know if their melody or chord progressions sound contemporary or dated.  Some might be looking for collaborators and are sharing a song to demonstrate their writing style.  Whatever it is you want your song to be able to do, we want to provide you with as many outside opinions as you want about how in-line with that goal your song is.  In the process of doing that, sometimes we will push each other to aim higher, and sometimes it is uncomfortable to be given constructive criticism about something as personal as a work of art, but everyone in our diverse membership is there to help one another grow by sharing insights.  But those insights are ultimately only our personal opinions, and it is up to you the songwriter whether you agree or disagree with the commentary you receive from your peers.  One thing we will always say is congratulations on writing a song, because that is not an easy thing to do, and you should always be proud of that achievement!