311 is a simple, three-digit phone number residents, visitors and businesses can use to get information about City of Toronto services or programs, or make a request for service.
People who call 311 are occasionally placed on hold. As part of the Music 311 program callers will hear recorded music from local artists while they’re waiting to speak to a customer service operator.
We are accepting submissions of original music written and recorded by Toronto-based artists for call-hold playback on the 311 phone line.
Eligibility
- Music must be original – in other words, you must hold copyright to the recording.
- Only Toronto-based artists can apply, which means your official mailing address must be in Toronto. If you’re a duo, one of you must be based in Toronto; and if you’re a band, at least half of your members must be Toronto-based.
- Preferred genres are: acoustic, alternative, bluegrass, blues, classical, country, electronic, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, jazz, pop, reggae, rock, R&B, singer-songwriter, soul, world – including music sung in languages other than English.
- Yes, we also appreciate metal, thrash and hardcore, but will choose music we feel is best suited to a broad-based audience and callers waiting on hold.
- Artists who participate in the Music 311 program must also adopt the City of Toronto’s Declaration of Non-Discrimination Policy. Music submitted must not stereotype or promote views and ideas which are likely to promote discrimination, contempt or hatred for any person on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, color, citizenship, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, receipt of public assistance or level of literacy.
How it works
- City staff will select tracks to be featured as 311 call-hold recordings for a specified period of time.
- Artists whose music is selected for 311 call-hold playback will receive an honorarium of $50 per track and be listed on toronto.ca/music with links to their websites.
- By applying to the Music 311 program, an artist cedes rights to the City of Toronto to use the submitted music for the exclusive purpose of call-hold playback on the 311 phone system. By applying, an artist also confirms and verifies that he/she is the legal copyright holder of any and all music submitted.
- Submission deadline to be considered for the September-October period of 311 call-hold recordings is August 15, 2015. Submissions will re-open on October 1 for music to be selected for the November-December period.
How to apply
To have your music considered for inclusion as a Music 311 call-hold recording, complete the application form and email it to perform@toronto.ca along with:
- bio (approximately 200 words)
- 1 to 2 photos (jpeg format, hi-res preferred)
- 1 to 3 songs (must be in MP3, MP4 or WAV format)
Live from City Hall
Live from City Hall is a music showcase series that features local artists performing in the first-floor rotunda of one of Toronto’s most iconic buildings.
Applications for the City Hall performance series may be submitted at any time, but the actual showcases are not scheduled to begin until fall 2015.
Eligibility
- Original music is preferred, although we will also consider artists performing covers.
- Solo artists, duos and full bands are all eligible. We ask artists who normally use electric guitars/basses and full drum kits to consider a stripped-down format for this program (e.g., acoustic guitars, cocktail drum kits/percussion vs. full kits). The rotunda’s acoustics are extremely “live,” and performances cannot exceed 85dB.
- Only Toronto-based artists can apply, which means your official mailing address must be in Toronto. If you’re a duo, one of you must be based in Toronto; and if you’re a band, at least half of your members must be Toronto-based.
- Preferred genres are: acoustic, alternative, bluegrass, blues, classical, country, electronic, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, jazz, pop, reggae, rock, R&B, singer-songwriter, soul, world – including music sung in languages other than English.
- Artists who participate in the Live from City Hall program must also adopt the City of Toronto’s Declaration ofNon-Discrimination Policy. Music performed must not stereotype or promote views and ideas which are likely to promote discrimination, contempt or hatred for any person on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, color, citizenship, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, receipt of public assistance or level of literacy.
The gig: How it works
- City staff will select artists from the pool of submissions received.
- Performances will begin in fall 2015 and take place on weekdays at approximately 4:30 p.m. Gigs are 40 to 60 minutes long.
- The venue provides a PA system, mics with stands and cables, a stage, and an audio tech (sound person) to set up and mix during performances. The venue does not provide any amplifiers, instruments or drums.
- All artists chosen to perform will receive an honorarium of $200 per show (regardless of how many musicians perform) and will be listed on toronto.ca/music with links to their websites.
- Keep in mind that the rotunda isn’t a regular venue for music, so there’s no “built-in audience.” You may find it a bit like performing in a shopping mall or an office building lobby – but it’s a very visible space. And if you’re selected to play, you’re welcome to publicize your performance and invite your own audience down to City Hall.
How to apply
To be considered for the Live from City Hall program, complete the application form and email it to perform@toronto.ca along with:
- bio (approximately 200 words)
- 1 to 2 photos (jpeg format, hi-res preferred)
- 1 to 3 songs (MP3 format or links to online content)
