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What we’re about

If you’re a songwriter aiming to elevate your songs and achieve success, this is the place to grow your craft.

Join Jacques M. Gentil, award-winning songwriter (ASA/APRA Australian Songwriter of the Year 2013) and ASCAP-affiliated mentor, for practical, inspiring workshops designed to help you write songs that stand out in today’s market.

TYPES OF MEETINGS
1. In-Person Songwriting Workshops
Held on select weekends, these workshops bring together beginner, developing, and established songwriters in a supportive setting. You’ll receive expert feedback on your songs in progress, guidance on how to reach commercial quality, and connect with like-minded peers.
A small fee may apply.

2. Free Monthly Zoom Workshops
Join our free online workshops once a month (weekends). Each session includes a short topic presentation and a live masterclass where Jacques provides in-depth feedback on songs in progress. Attendees can also contribute constructive feedback, making this a valuable and collaborative learning experience.
Spots fill quickly—early registration is recommended.

HOW IT WORKS
Online Sessions:
• Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
• Play your song live (guitar, piano, keyboard, other instruments) or submit an mp3 in advance to be played during the session.
• Lyrics should also be submitted in advance or shared live on a virtual whiteboard.

In-Person Sessions:
• Duration: approx. 3 hours (max.)
• Hosted at songwriter homes or venues. These workshops have been running since 2003, with many success stories from attendees.

ABOUT MAGESONGS SCHOOL OF SONGWRITING
This Meetup is part of Magesongs School of Songwriting. In addition to these workshops, occasional songwriting classes are offered to help songwriters reach industry-ready standards. As a Meetup member, you may be invited to participate when new classes become available.

Jacques M. Gentil (Organizer)
Award-Winning Songwriter & Mentor
ASA/APRA Australian Songwriter of the Year 2013

FROM GOOD TO GREAT: HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR SONG WILL STAND OUT FROM THE START
Online

FROM GOOD TO GREAT: HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR SONG WILL STAND OUT FROM THE START

Online

Can you tell if your song will stand out from the start?
Join Jacques Mario Gentil and special guest Mike MacdermidSongwriter, Producer & Radio Broadcaster based in the U.K., signed to Warner Chappell Music (Triple Platinum #1 Songwriter) — for an inspiring and practical session on what separates a good song from a great one.
Discover how pros spot a hit early — and how you can, too.

🗓 Wednesday 12 November, 8:00 PM (Melbourne AEDT)
🎶 Free online Meetup for songwriters of all levels

### 🔹 FULL DESCRIPTION

Ever wonder why some songs just click while others — even well-written ones — somehow don’t connect?
In this special Songwriters Meetup presented by Magesongs, award-winning songwriter Jacques Mario Gentil will reveal how to identify early on whether your song concept has the emotional and commercial power to stand out.

You’ll discover:
🎯 The five checkpoints that reveal if your song idea has real traction
🪶 Why concept comes before content — and how great songs start with great ideas
🎧 The subtle but decisive differences between a good song and a great one
⚠️ How to recognise false positives — songs that feel strong but won’t last
🏆 Simple self-tests used by hit writers and contest winners to validate songs early enough in the songwriting process.

And to make this Meetup even more special, we’ll welcome guest speaker Mike Macdermid — (Triple Platinum #1 Songwriter, Producer & Radio Broadcaster based in the U.K., signed to Warner Chappell Music) — who will share words of encouragement and insight into how he knows when he’s onto something truly special, plus more...
Whether you’re a beginner, developing or an advanced songwriter, this session will sharpen your instincts, save you time, and give you tools to elevate every idea you start.

***

### 🔹 TIME & LOCATION

🗓 Wednesday 12 November 2025
🕗 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM (AEDT - Melbourne time)
👉 ONLINE - RSVP NOW TO GET THE ZOOM REGISTRATION LINK.
⚡ Please note, seats are limited on Zoom.

### 🔹 AGENDA

  • 8:00 PM — Welcome & Introductions
  • 8:10 PM — Talk: “From Good to Great” by Jacques Gentil
  • 8:45 PM — Guest: Mike Macdermid – Real-World Reflections
  • 9:10 PM — Open Discussion & Q&A
  • 9:25 - 10:00 PM — Networking & Closing

***

### 🔹 BRING ALONG

Bring one of your unfinished songs or even just a title idea — we’ll test it live against the Good → Great criteria.
Seats are limited, so RSVP now and join this one-of-a-kind session that could change how you approach every song you write.

Jacques
Magesongs Mentor / Organizer
Multi-Award-Winning Songwriter

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