Contests

International Songwriting Competition

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Deadline: Dec 20, 2010




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International Songwriting Competition

The deadline has been extended until 12/20/2010

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual songwriting competition whose mission is to provide the opportunity for songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC accepts original songs from musicians, artists, bands, and songwriters at every level from amateur to professional. More than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be shared among the 66 winners, including an overall Grand Prize of $25,000 (US) cash and $20,000 in music equipment, services, and more. Not only does ISC give away the largest cash Grand Prize of any songwriting competition in the world, but ISC also has the most high-profile judges, the most categories, and the coolest winners (this could be you!). ISC has lots of great new judges for 2010, so scroll down and check them out - this means new judges listening to all the finalists' songs and picking the 2010 winners. This is a great opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry. Entrants may submit as many songs as they wish - in the same category or in multiple categories. New for this year is the Unsigned Only category, so if you are unsigned to a major label record or distribution deal and don't have a publishing deal for the song you want to enter - this category could be just the one for you! If you want to enter the Music Video category, click here.

ISC categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), Adult Contemporary (AC), Americana, Blues, Children's Music, Comedy/Novelty, Country, Dance/Electronica, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Gospel/Christian, Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Music, Lyrics Only, Music Video, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, World Music, Performance *, Teen**, and Unsigned Only*** .

If you want to enter the Music Video category, click here.

*This category is based not only on songwriting but also the overall performance and delivery of the song. All genres of music are accepted in this category.

**All songwriters entering the Teen category must be 18 yrs. old or younger by December 31, 2010. All genres of music are accepted in this category. Entering this category does not exclude you from entering other categories as well

***This category is open to all genres of music. Entrants cannot be signed to a major label record or distribution deal. Any song entered in this category may not be owned wholly or partly by any publishing company. Any song entered in this category must be entered into at least one other category. See Rules & Regulations for more detailed information.

ISC 2010 JUDGES:

Recording Artists/Songwriters

  • Peter Gabriel
  • Rihanna
  • Tom Waits
  • Kings of Leon
  • Jeff Beck
  • Jerry Lee Lewis
  • Timbaland
  • Train
  • Robbie Williams
  • McCoy Tyner
  • Robert Smith (The Cure)
  • Alejandro Sanz
  • Ben Harper
  • Kelly Clarkson
  • Keane
  • Matt Thiessen (Relient K)
  • Jeremy Camp
  • Black Francis (Pixies)
  • Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC)
  • James Cotton
  • Adele
  • Michael W. Smith
  • John Mayall
  • John Scofield
  • Chris Hillman (The Byrds)
  • Craig Morgan
  • Ben Folds
  • DJ Tiësto
  • John Digweed
  • Sandra Bernhard
  • Wynonna
  • Regina Spektor
  • Terence Blanchard
  • Ray Wylie Hubbard
  • Montel Jordan
  • Jazmine Sullivan
  • K'Naan
  • Robert Earl Keen
  • Baaba Maal
  • Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals)

    Music Industry Executives

  • Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records)
  • Amanda Ghost (President, Epic Records)
  • Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group)
  • Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids)
  • Daniel Glass (Founder/CEO, Glassnote Entertainment Group)
  • Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records)
  • Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney Records)
  • Kim Buie (VP A&R, Lost Highway Records)
  • Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Senior Director, Sony Nashville)
  • Rick Krim (Executive VP of Music & Talent Programming, VH1)
  • Steve Lillywhite (Producer)
  • Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment/BMG)
  • Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Sony BMG Norte and President, Discos 605)
  • Douglas C. Cohn (Senior VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon)
  • Dr. Demento (Radio Host, Dr. Demento Show)

    Broadjam Logo

Prizes

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE:
$25,000 cash (U.S.) and $20,000 in music equipment and services

Prizes will also be awarded to First, Second, and Third Place winners in each category(except for the Unsigned Only category which has one winner).

Additionally, a Peoples' Voice winner will be selected out of all the finalists in an online vote by the public.

Depending on the genre, submissions are judged on the basis of:
Creativity
Originality
Melody
Lyrics
Instrumentation
Arrangement

Production/recording quality and vocal ability are not considered in the judging process. The entry does not need to be a professional recording.

In addition to cash and merchandise prizes, winners benefit from a multilateral promotional campaign designed to give international exposure and attention to their songwriting achievements. The Grand Prize winner and First Place winners (except for Lyrics Only and Music Video) will also be included on the ISC Compilation CD distributed to music industry professionals including publishers, record label executives, film and tv music supervisors, and media.