SCGC

believes in the value of Canadian composers and their music

The SCGC promotes the music and status of film, television and media composers in Canada, is certified under the Federal Status of the Artist Act to represent all English-speaking screen composers in Canada, and supports the economic development of our sector, including the export of Canadian screen composers. We aim to raise the quality of screen music through professional development, connect our members to industry activities through SCGC partnerships with various film festivals and events, and represent the rights and interests of our members with producers, broadcasters, government agencies and other relevant persons and entities through our active advocacy efforts.

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What is SCGC?

Professional Development

We offer seminars & workshops, as well as the Mentorship & Orchestral Reading Programs

The Community

Connect and learn with our private Facebook group & in-person/online socials

Composer Resources

Learn from a growing library of videos, use our Model Contract, and receive our Spotting Notes Newsletter.

Advocacy

Working to promote and protect your rights as a Creator, and helping to shape a fair and sustainable future for our industry

Industry Networking

Get access to opportunities to participate in film festivals, seminars, screenings, and programs through our Industry Partners

The Discuss List

This unique and vibrant forum gives you a direct line to a virtual brain trust of professional composers, nationwide.

The history of the SCGC

The SCGC was first founded in 1980 as the Guild of Canadian Film Composers (GCFC) by composer and jingle producer Ben McPeek. He wanted to form an association that could demonstrate to the film and television industries that first class scores could be composed and recorded in Canada. By organizing people who had a stake in the business of composing for film and television the GCFC would raise awareness with regard to the talent available in our country. If the work was being done locally there would be considerably savings both in time and money, which was an advantage for the producers/directors.

Members also knew that if they couldn’t do the job the work would go to someone locally and therefore keep the work in Canada. By keeping the work in Canada members would then have a better shot at the next job as a result of the growth of the local industry has been ingrained in our organization ever since. This idea of thinking collectively to help the community and in the long run help the individual. Subsequently, more people were hired locally the industry began to take root and less work was being sent to other countries. Ultimately when the industry flourished each of the individuals would benefit.

In the mid 1990s, the Guild created a new mandate “To improve the quality and status of music as it applies to film and television, through education and the professional development of its members and the producing community.” During this period professional development took on an informal structure with members exchanging information, providing knowledge of contracts, potential jobs and negotiation tactics. The Guild also created a Composer (As Contractor)/Producer Model Agreement which has become a standard in the industry.

“When the industry flourished, each of the individuals would benefit.”

The GCFC received certification May 23, 2003 under the Federal Status of the Artist Act.

The Guild of Canadian Film Composers changed its name to the Screen Composers Guild of Canada in 2010 to reflect the change in the film and television industries to include media for both large and small screens, and the changes in its members’ working environments and skills.