Back from Music2Life contest, so honored to share the stage with such great songwriters ! It was so empowering to meet other folks who share their music in schools, shelters for sexually and physically abused children, environmental groups, domestic violence,... It gave me a valuable perspective into what I have spent the past thirty years and plan to spend the rest of my life doing.  I am grateful.

Mitch Barrett 
Contest Guidelines PDF Print E-mail
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Music2Life Songwriting Contest & Concert

COMPLETE CONTEST GUIDELINES 2010

Finalists must be present to perform their song and claim their prize(s). Please observe the following guidelines carefully. Entrants must sign guidelines on final page and send along with their entry.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Songs should contain content aimed at educating the listener about a domestic or international sociopolitical issue.
  • It is recommended that submitted songs not be so highly produced as to make it impossible to duplicate in performance, live and on stage.
  • Songs should be no longer than four minutes in length. While songs will not be disqualified due to length, given the number of entries received, we cannot guarantee that songs will be listened to beyond the four minute mark.
  • Previous entrants who have been finalists for more than 2 consecutive contests will not be eligible.
  • No song older than 2 years will be eligible. We're asking that these songs be 'freshly born' because we want the topics about which they are written to be relevant. That's at the heart of this rule. So if you've got a song, for example, that was conceived three years ago, about a relevant topic, but only recently recorded, that would be fine. We just ask that the song's content be relevant in today's sociopolitical climate.
  • The song may be performed by the writer or by a group that does not necessarily include the writer or writers. Awards, however, will be distributed to writer(s) only.
  • The writer(s) retain all writing/publishing rights to the songs. Selected songs will be offered an opportunity to join Public Domain Foundation’s roster of socially relevant music.
  • All finalists MUST BE ABLE to perform or be in attendance on June 5, 2010 in the afternoon and, if grand award winner, in the evening. Do not enter if you cannot fulfill these concert opportunities. If writer cannot perform song him/herself, s/he must bring performer(s); no “house” band is available for the concert.

AWARDS

All Entrants:

  • $30 coupon toward min. 100 CD purchase from SuperDups
  • Early bird special #1 – $10 off entries received between July 1 and August 12, 2009
  • Early bird special #2 – $5 off entries received between August 13 and November 12, 2009
  • FREE three months Sonicbids membership (for new Sonicbids members)
  • We are highly respectful of our entrants and guarantee that every song gets heard

 

Top Ten Finalists:

  • Ten top finalists are selected from among the entries. They will receive:
  • $300 individual travel stipends to Kerrville, Texas & reduced lodging costs
  • Free 2-day weekend passes to Kerrville Folk Festival (June 5-6, 2010)
  • Commemorative awards
  • Compilation CD of M2L songs - produced, distributed to winners and marketed through the Public Domain Foundation, Hudson Harding Music and CD Baby, among other sources.
  • $300/$700 donations to charities of choice for 2nd and 1st runners up
  • Grand prize winner –
  • Opens on Kerrville mainstage for Saturday evening (6/5/10) performance
  • 1000 CD package from Superdups
  • $1500 to charity of choice
  • Cash prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song; division of prizes is responsibility of winners.
  • The three award winners are determined in advance but will be only be announced live at the Music2Life concert at the Kerrville Folk Festival on June 5, 2010.

SUBMISSION PREPARATION

  • Entries may be submitted in one of two ways: 1) online through Sonicbids here or 2) via the postal service as noted below.
  • Mailed entries must consist of: one rewound cassette (without box) OR (preferably) CD of one original song including a lyric sheet typed or printed legibly (must include English translation if applicable) and publishing/copyright information. Multiple entries are permitted, see below. Print song title, copyright information, songwriter name, address, zip code, phone number and email (if available) on the cassette/CD. Entrants must sign and return the statement at the end of these guidelines. Please do not use staples; attach papers with paperclips or rubberbands.
  • Applicants should submit the best quality recording available for their song; if selected as a finalist, their recording may be used on the finalist album created as part of the contest.
  • Multiple entries are acceptable – please observe the following: 1) each additional song submitted requires an additional entry fee, depending upon when it is sent - $20 (if sent between 7/1/09 and 8/12/09 OR between 8/13/09 and 11/12/09); $25 (if sent between 11/13 and 2/1/10); 2) songs may be recorded on the same CD and mailed in the same package but each song must include all required information stated here and should be clearly labeled and demarcated within the cassette or CD.
  • If selected, only the submitted song may be performed at the concert(s).
  • If you would like to be considered for our Music2Life Fellows program, please follow the instructions located at the bottom of the guidelines.

SENDING YOUR ENTRY PACKET

  • Early submission fee is $20 – DEADLINE - postmarked between July 1 and August 12, 2009.
  • Second early submission fee is $25 – DEADLINE – postmarked between August 13 and November 12, 2009.
  • Regular submission fee is $30 – DEADLINE - postmarked by February 1, 2010.


Entry packet may be submitted either online (via Sonicbids here) or via postal service. Timely submission is encouraged. Please note that any submissions received by mail beyond our deadline will be fully returned (including uncashed check or money order).

  • Cassettes/CDs will not be returned. Do not send any publicity, bios, etc.
  • Each submission must include entry fee ($20 for each song submitted between July 1 and August 12, 2009, $25 for each song submitted between August 13 and November 12, 2009, or $30 for each song submitted by February 1, 2010), payable by credit card (online submissions only – through Sonicbids), check or money order to: Public Domain Foundation. Entry fee is non-refundable.
  • Mail entry packet to: Public Domain Foundation, M2L Awards, PO Box 409, Wilder, VT 05088 or submit entry online to: Sonicbids (www.sonicbids.com/music2lifecontest). Public Domain is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, postage due, stolen or misappropriated entries.
  • Only submissions postmarked by 5 p.m on either August 12, 2009 (early deadline), November 12, 2009 (second early deadline) OR February 1, 2010 will be considered.

EVALUATION/NOTIFICATION

  • Evaluation criteria will include how successful the song is at communicating its message as well as its overall composition and melody. The quality of performance and production will not be considered except insofar as lack of technical quality may negatively impact the clarity of the submission.
  • The ten finalists will be notified by email or phone (see next note) by May 2, 2010 and must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility/publicity release within 14 days of notification date. The affidavit will state that winner’s song is original work and s/he holds all rights to song. Failure to sign and return such affidavit within 14 days or provision of false/inaccurate information therein will result in immediate disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Affidavits of winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. Affidavits subject to verification by Public Domain and its agents.
  • ALL ENTRANTS MUST SUBMIT A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION AND A LIST OF WINNERS. Entrants will be informed of contest decisions by EMAIL ONLY no later than May 14, 2010.

GENERAL DETAILS/CONTACT

  • Entry constitutes permission to use finalists' songs, names, likenesses and voices for future advertising and publicity purposes without licensing or additional compensation. Said use of songs shall be limited to streaming excerpts and the production of a CD comprised of the ten finalists' songs in limited quantity (approx. 500). Distribution of hardcopy and digital CD will be offered via the Public Domain's website, NEWORLD multimedia site, and/or CD Baby. Public Domain may also use digital downloads of songs and digital video footage of the Music2Life performance for its charitable activity and further promotion of the finalists' songs. Any rules that are misprinted or printed incomplete in other publications are not official and we take no responsibility for any disqualification resulting from not following the complete instructions listed above.
  • You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Public Domain Foundation against loss or threatened loss or expense by reason of the liability or potential liability of Public Domain Foundation for or arising out of any claims for damages.
  • This contest is void where prohibited. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
  • No refunds will be issued unless contest has been cancelled.
  • Kerrville Folk Festival dates are June 5-6, 2010. Should you have additional questions about the Music2Life contest, you may contact us via email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For questions about the Festival, please call (830) 257-3600 or email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


About Public Domain: Since its inception in 1971, Public Domain Foundation (PDF) has distributed nearly $2 million to family and children’s service organizations worldwide through proceeds from the “Wedding Song”. In addition, PDF facilitates the creation and impact of music for social change through its M2L contest and fellows program and other educational activities. www.pdfoundation.org AND www.music2life.org.