Business principles of songwriting and music publishing course at Wits

Last year, a range of South African songwriters and publishers attended the 14-week course, moderated by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, which runs in the evenings at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Bursaries available

For those who can't make it this time around, the course will be repeated in the second semester, starting in July, with registration opening in April. Once again, SAMRO has made up to five bursaries available per semester to its members or for people employed by SAMRO publisher members. These seats will be awarded based on evaluation and approval by Wits.

Launched in 2010, the NQF Level 5 course is principally aimed at independent music publishers, either emerging or established, to encourage entrepreneurship in this sector. However, other industry players - such as songwriters who wish to publish their works independent of the major music publishers - have also found the course extremely useful.

Certificate from Wits

The evening classes, facilitated by Jonathan Shaw, run for 14 consecutive weeks, with a single two- to three-hour lecture per week. Students will receive a certificate from Wits if they successfully complete the course.

The "Business Principles of Songwriting and Music Publishing" evening classes will be held at the Wits West Campus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, starting on Wednesday, 2 March 2011 at 6pm. The cost of the course is R5550, which includes tuition fees and course material.

For more information and to obtain an application form, go to www.witsplus.wits.ac.za or www.wits.ac.za and click on "Evening classes". Alternatively, email az.ca.stiw@sulpstiw.sesruoctrohs, phone + 27 (0)11 717 9500/3 or visit the Wits Plus office.