-by John Gillis
This week The Oran had the opportunity to speak with Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative (CBMIC) Board Chair, Jennifer Currie.
The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative now has approximately 100 plus members and is growing. There is no fee to join the organization and one only needs to be an artist or music industry representative living here or born in Cape Breton to join.
“The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative is a not-for-profit organization developed to grow and support Cape Breton’s music industry. CBMIC is currently run by a volunteer board of directors with a vast amount of knowledge and experience of the current music industry standards and what needs to occur (on both a short-term and long-term basis) to assure this industry continues to strengthen and grow within Cape Breton – and more importantly, expand CBMIC on a national and international scale. To ensure the success of CBMIC, the board of directors is working on building CBMIC to be the key organization in Cape Breton where all artists can turn to for knowledge, advice and support as they begin and continue on their musical career paths.” That’s how the organization is described on its official website.
CBMIC Board Chair Jennifer Currie became involved with the organization in 2009. She is currently employed as a student placement officer with The Shannon School of Business at Cape Breton University, a position she has held for 23 years.
Currie became involved in the music industry back in 1999 when she was the event manager for the East Coast Music Awards. She has continued her involvement with the music industry in Cape Breton ever since that time.
The CBMIC executive is: Jennifer Currie, chairperson; Robert McCharles, vice-chairperson; Richard MacKinnon, secretary; James O'Neill, treasurer. Directors: Fred Lavery, Heather Gillis, Sandy MacDonald, Jenni Welsh, John Ellingbo, Mike LeLievre, Laura Mercer and Colin Grant.
CBMIC has been involved in many projects in recent years.
“We applied for funding through ECBC/ACOA to support Cape Breton artists in export development. Artists can apply, they are juried, and we’ve been doing that since 2009, helping with touring and artist/career development,” said Currie.
Currie says the organization also does a lot of workshops.
An upcoming workshop will focus on artist development/stage presence with an additional focus on the business side of the music industry. That workshop will take place in Sydney at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre on March 21st. There will also be a fundraising event that same day and an evening concert celebrating all the artists and industry representatives nominated for an East Coast Music Award this year. Performing will be The Beaton Sisters Band, Port Cities, The Jordan Musycsyn Band and Sprag Session. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with showtime at 8:00 p.m.
“Last year CBMIC organized and presented a media program for Celtic Colours International Festival where we brought in festival talent buyers from around the world and showcased Cape Breton artists,” said Currie.
Currie says the organization has been instrumental too in lobbying to keep Cape Breton Island on the ECMA location circuit.
“Basically we’re here to do anything we can to make our music industry stronger,” Currie added.
Currie says another annual event for CBMIC is the Cape Breton Embassy showcases at the ECMAs.
“We make sure we highlight artists from all over Cape Breton Island and we support artists Island-wide in our export funding. We’re growing in the types of events we’re offering,” she added.
The Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative is located in The New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation in Sydney. The organization has one full-time year round staff member. CBMIC produces a newsletter every two months to keep its membership up to date on developments.
Learn more about CBMIC on its website at www.cbmic.ca or by phoning CBMIC at 902- 549-2221 or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Mailing address: Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative, PO Box 122, Station "A", Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6G9 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
