Hamilton to host Conference of Musicians

Hamilton is hosting the annual conference of the Canadian Federation of Musicians this weekend for the first time in more than 30 years.

The conference, which gets underway Friday, is drawing more than 100 delegates from across Canada and the United States to the Sheraton Hotel to discuss issues faced by musicians from the changing nature of markets and delivery platforms due to streaming on the internet.

“Intellectual property rights is a big issue right now,” said Larry Fuedo, president of Hamilton Musicians’ Guild local 293, which is hosting the conference.

During session breaks, conference delegates will be entertained by local members including twotime Juno winner Jack de Keyzer, Juno-winning keyboard player Jesse O’Brien, the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic String Quartet and the Darcy Hepner Sextet.

Guest speakers include Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Hamilton District Labour Council president Anthony Marco.

Fuedo said the conference, last held in Hamilton in 1985, will help show off the cultural and economic growth it has undergone over the past few years.

The changing shape of the music industry has given the guild more relevance, added Feudo, noting local membership has doubled in the past four years to 600.

“We’re working really hard to keep rates up and make sure people get paid properly,” said Feudo, who plays lead guitar in the band Trickbag.