NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 01/14/09 -- ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is pleased to announce ASCAP New York Sessions, a one-day career boosting event designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge and craft that music creators need to succeed in today's music business. The event will be held on March 10, 2009 at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center on Broadway at 60th Street in New York City, and will feature a keynote interview with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rob Thomas, in addition to educational panels and informative technology demos.

The event opens at 9:30 a.m. with ASCAP's General Annual Membership Meeting where ASCAP President & Chairman Marilyn Bergman, ASCAP CEO John A. LoFrumento and ASCAP SVP Domestic Membership Randall Grimmett will give reports covering the state of the industry, legislation, ASCAP operations and member accomplishments. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization to hold an annual membership meeting, during which members have the opportunity to learn, ask questions and voice concerns. The General Annual Membership Meeting is open to all ASCAP members at no charge. Members who wish to attend must RSVP at www.ascap.com/rsvp.

Following the Membership Meeting, ASCAP New York Sessions will begin at 11:20 a.m. with a keynote interview with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rob Thomas, who for more than 10 years has penned an incredible array of hit songs for everyone from Mick Jagger, Carlos Santana and Willie Nelson to his own work as a solo artist and with matchbox twenty.

Registrants will then have a choice of attending a variety of educational panels, sponsored by some of today's top music technology and service businesses, covering such topics as: Marketing from The Driver's Seat; Making the Most from Digital Distribution and Airplay; Recording a "Ready for Primetime" Demo; and Managers, Agents, Publishing and You.

There will also be a Home Studio Master Class operating throughout the day. This purpose-built "teaching studio" will be staffed by a working producer and engineer who will develop a piece of music in a series of cumulative sessions.

Capping the day of valuable programming will be an ASCAP Super Panel featuring top songwriters, composers and producers from across the musical spectrum who will share their in-depth knowledge of a career in music, highlighting common rewards and challenges that all music creators face.

Commenting on ASCAP New York Sessions, Marilyn Bergman said: "For those ASCAP members and music professionals in the Northeast who can't get to the annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO in Los Angeles, or who can't get enough of it, we wanted to provide them with a career boosting event where they can connect with ASCAP's top songwriters and composers, have access to industry experts, and learn about the latest tools and technology available to music creators. We are also thrilled to welcome Rob Thomas as our keynote interview. His conversation with fellow writers will be an inspiration and a highlight of the event."

Pricing for ASCAP New York Sessions begins at $55, and the event is open to all regardless of affiliation. For more information and to register, go to www.ascap.com/sessions.

Members of the press may apply for credentials at http://www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/ny_sessions/index.html

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 340,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com