Deep Cove Folk is looking for songs about life on the Saanich Peninsula.  We’re on the hunt for songs that celebrate and document our region—works that convey a sense of what it’s like to live here or, perhaps, what it used to be like—a celebration and chronicle of our special place and the community that has grown up in it.

We want songs that are clearly situated on the Saanich Peninsula, mentioning names of places, people or events or telling of historical events. 

Songs that fulfill this request will be added to the impressive collection in the e-songbook Saanich Songs: An Anthology of Songs About the Saanich Peninsula and Environs (https://songproject.deepcovefolk.ca/2024-song-book/ ) 

In addition to your song, we’d also like you to send along a short essay which includes the inspiration for writing it, your perception of how it fits in to life on the Peninsula etc.—kind of like the introduction one might give prior to singing it (for ideas see the examples in Saanich Songs).  We also need a link to a recording of the song and a chord chart (see examples in Saanich Songs).

Here’s a marvellous opportunity for you to be published, get your work seen by a large public of interested folk, and contribute to this important community resource. 

What Kind of Songs Are We Looking For?

We already have a nice collection of songs extolling the virtues of living here—boosterism, of sorts.  So, we’re hoping you’ll consider tackling other aspects of our community, such as:

Historical themes:  We have an intriguing history that could be fodder for many the good song.  Several examples:

• Walking through the Aviation Museum, the Saanich Pioneer Museum, Heritage Acres or any of our local historical displays can’t help but give you all kinds of ideas for possible songs.  Just a glimpse at the Sidney Museum website is enough to get you going, let alone a visit there (https://sidneymuseum.ca ).
• One example:  There was a factory manufacturing ammunition for the war on James Island—can’t help but think there’d be interesting ideas for songs about how this beautiful place contributed to such ugly devastation…imagine if you had worked there…

The opportunities for songs based on our rich past are almost endless.  Consultation with teachers, museum and archive staff, older folk, and local libraries will give you more ideas than you can possibly use. 

Current social issues or life experiences:  We all encounter situations in our lives that are worth singing about—losses, achievements, life lessons, social causes—and these are clearly song-worthy.   A few ideas:

• The impacts of climate change, such as how the predicted rise in ocean levels could have devastating impact on the Peninsula waterfront, offer definite possibilities
• Is there an injustice you’ve seen in our community that should be brought to folks’ attention—an excluded group, something really unfair?  If yes, a good song is a great way to get it heard
• Has the loss of a special place in our community affected you?  There could be a song in it
• Is there a cause that you feel passionate about—e.g., the future of the wharf in Sidney, pollution on our beaches, dwindling public access to the waterfront, over-development? You never know, there could be a song that will help to get the word out 
• Perhaps you’ve come from away and are experiencing some difficulties fitting in to your new home.  A song expressing this could be very powerful

The possibilities are almost endless.  Remember though the songs must be clearly situated on the Saanich Peninsula.

Special places and that elusive “sense of home”.  Defining “a sense of home” is difficult at the best of times.  Song is one of the most powerful ways to do it, often making it possible to say things that don’t really work with words alone.Maybe you’ve been away and felt that unquenchable pang of homesickness for our lovely home place—definitely a song there…  Or perhaps you have a special place that brings you “home.”  These, and much, much more, will work, as long as the reference to North Saanich is clear.

And these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg—there are oodles of other possibilities—just let your creativity go and see what you can come up with.    

Do I Have to Write a New Tune for My Song?

• Not necessarily.  Putting new words to borrowed tunes is an age-old community music practice.  The clever recycling of an old tune can be quite effective in this kind of song writing because a well-known melody brings a sense of familiarity to the listener.  If you do use an existing tune, please be sure to credit it.
• If you are so inclined, we’d also love to hear newly-created tunes for your songs—but it’s not a prerequisite. 

What’s In It For You?  

• Submitters of accepted songs will be offered an honourarium of $50.00.  This is our small way of thanking you for participating in this community-building activity and hopefully offsetting some of the costs involved in creating the song.
• All songs will remain copyright (©) to you.  All you’ll be giving us is the right to publish the song, essay and chord chart in Saanich Songs as well as providing access to our readers to your recording.
• Younger submitters may also be awarded one-on-one mentoring sessions with local artists who are currently making their living as a singer-songwriters or authors.  This will help you to “learn the ropes” of this tricky business and get to know some of the amazing talent that lives here.
• We will be making the songs available to various performers and singing groups, such as the many local choirs, with the possibility that they could add your song to their repertoire.
• And of course, there’ll be the untold fame and fortunes (well, fame at least) that goes with having your work showcased in this great collection…  

Can I Submit More Than One Song?

Absolutely.  Please submit each song separately.  Authors who already have songs in Saanich Songs are invited to submit more of their great work, as long as it is clearly situated on the Peninsula.

How Do I Submit?

Please send the following in an email to info@deepcovefolk.ca with the subject line “Song for Saanich Songs:” 

• A full set of lyrics to your song
• Your introductory essay
• A link or equivalent to a recording of your song
• A chord chart (see examples in Saanich Songs.  pdf files are preferred to preseve spacing)

Snail mail packages with all of the above will also be accepted (Deep Cove Folk, 1226 Laurel Road, North Saanich  V8L 5K8).

Will All Submissions be Accepted?

• Not necessarily.  Our editorial panel will determine the suitability of each song and accompanying essay along with its fit in the e-book as it evolves. 

Questions?

 Please send any queries you might have to info@deepcovefolk.ca