2009 SONG WRITING CONTEST

Songwriting Competition

Big Top Chautauqua announces our second annual songwriting competition. Submit two original songs to BTC by June 19. Up to 12 Finalists will be selected to perform in the competition finals on the Big Top stage August 27. Finalists will be notified by July 17.

Prizes include:

All BTC Songwriter of the Year Finalists will receive a 5-day grounds pass to our Celebration of the Song event.
All BTC Songwriter of the Year Finalists will be invited to perform on Aug. 27, and will be recorded for possible use on our nationally broadcast Tent Show Radio program. Two winners sill be chosen from the finalists.
Both BTC Songwriter of the Year Winners will be invited to perform 2 songs as the opener for Suzanne Vega on Aug. 29. These performances will be recorded for use on Tent Show Radio.
Both BTC Songwriter of the Year Winners will receive a cash prize of $100.
Criteria
Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 in the following categories: Lyrics, Melody, and Appeal. A perfect score is 30 for each song and 60 total for each songwriter submitting two songs.

Instrumentals will be judged in two categories: Melody & Appeal with 15 possible points in each area for a total potential score of 30 per song and 60 per songwriter.

Submissions of all musical styles are welcome, although the focus of the event is folk, pop, bluegrass, country and Americana.

Original Song Competition Finals:
Open to the public with tickets for evening performance or grounds pass

August 27, 7:30-9:30 Hosted by Bill Isles and BCO - Judging Panel to be Announced
Reserved Seats $18/General Admission $15; Students $8/$4


How to Enter by Mail

Send a compact disc with your two original songs. Put your name and song titles on the CD in order that they appear.
Enclose a sheet of lyrics for each song (unless it's an instrumental.)
Fill out and enclose one entry form, signed & dated.
Enclose entry fee of $25 payable to Big Top Chautauqua.
Mail package to: Celebration of the Song, Big Top Chautauqua, PO Box 455, Washburn, WI 54891
Hand deliver to: Celebration of the Song, Big Top Chautauqua, 101 W. Bayfield St., Washburn, WI 54891

Packages must be postmarked on or before June 19, 2009. An email confirmation will be sent within 2 weeks of receipt in our office. CDs will not be returned to applicant unless a self-addressed stamped package is included for such purpose.