2010 Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Contest
Eligibility
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Contest and Songfest invites amateur musicians, youth (14 – 18 years old) and adults (19 and older), in Oklahoma to submit their songwriting entries to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Contest.
* Open Division: Song is not limited to any genre or theme. The songwriter of the winning entries in the youth and adult divisions will receive $500, second-place winners $200, and third-place winners $100.
*New category for 2010: Theme Contest. Write a song about “Oklahoma Music and its impact on the world.” This is open to both youth and adults and the first place winner will receive $500, filming of a music video and the possibility of music video being shown at the 2010 Induction Ceremony.
Songs may have more than one writer, but only one name should be designated on the entry form. An amateur songwriter is someone who does not receive income from songwriting royalties and has never had a staff writing contract with a publishing company.
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc., Muskogee Area Arts Council and John Michaels’s Music and Sound sponsor the contest and immediate family members of those entities are not allowed to enter.
Submissions and fee
There is no limit to the number of songs one songwriter may enter. A $15 fee must accompany each entry. Make checks payable to Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Those who enter must also sign an entry form original. Songs entered may belong to any music genre.
Entries must be recorded and submitted on one of the following formats:
· A CD or DVD. (No CDs, DVDs or entry fees will be returned)
· An MP3 File via email to songwriterscontest@omhof.com
Where to send entries
Deadline: Entries, including entry form and a copy of the lyrics, must be e-mailed to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Contest at songwriterscontest@omhof.com or postmarked and mailed to: Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. P.O. Box 3221, Muskogee OK. 74402 by June 1, 2010.
Division classification is determined by the age of the entrant (19 years old) on or before June 1, regardless of when entry is submitted.
Judging
Local judges (all judging will be done in a blind judging format) will review the entries and choose ten finalists for each division – one song per finalist unless they have submitted an entry in the Theme Contest also. Ten youths and ten adults will be invited to perform at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Contest Songfest on September 11, 2010 for the Youth Division and September 12, 2010 for the Adult Division, at Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
Since the contest is more about songwriting than performance, songwriters must appear on stage and may have one accompanist (guitar or keyboard). Participants who must travel more than 100 miles to the songfest will be given $100 to assist with travel and lodging expenses.
Judging Criteria
Originality – is a balance of unique lyrics and music. Story telling ability either realistic or make believe.
Marketability – Indicates how well your song will do in the current market place (including record labels, publishers, radio, etc…)
Lyrics – Impact of words, phrases, content flow, and clarity.
Melody – Memorable Aspect of a song, the one the listener remembers and is able to perform.
Song Structure – Instrumentation/Composition including musicianship, as well as instrumental arrangement, rhythm, tempo and overall structure.