2015 Song Writing Contest – Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope

Gil’s Hootenanny & Writer’s Bloc in conjunction with Ottawa Grassroots Festival & Spirit of Rasputin’s present the 2nd Annual

Sing-Along Song Writing Contest

The finalists will perform their songs in front of the judges and a live audience at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival. The winners of the Grand Prize and the Youth Prize will be announced immediately following these performances.

The entry form is at Spirit of Rasputin’s here…

Objective

  • To encourage the writing and performing of new sing-along songs along the Gil’s Hootenanny theme of “Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope”.

Criteria

  • Songs will reflect the topics of “Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope”.
  • Songs are easily taught to an audience without song sheets.
  • Finalist songs must be performed at Ottawa Grassroots Festival on April 26, 2015.
  • The winning song must be performed at Gil’s Hootenanny in Ottawa on May 1, 2015.
  • If not performed by the writer, the writer is responsible for providing a performer.
  • New songs are preferred; new lyrics for older songs are allowed.
  • Songs from composers 16 or younger are also eligible for the Young Songwriters prize.

What Qualities Should the Winning Song Have?

  1. It is a song of protest and/or hope.
  2. It is very easy for the audience to learn and sing along with.
  3. It provides lots of opportunity for audience participation.
  4. It is memorable.

NOTE: This sets the bar very high! Give it your best shot. We know you can do it.

Grand Prize

  • The Grand Prize winner will be paid to perform their song at Gil’s Hootenanny on May 1st. Optionally, the winner may arrange for an alternate performer.
  • All submissions are eligible for the Grand Prize. The judges will select four finalists. Three finalists will be selected from all submissions. The fourth finalist will be the winner of the Young Songwriters Prize.
  • The four finalists will perform their entries at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival where the Grand Prize winner will be selected. Optionally, a finalist may arrange for an alternate performer.
  • All finalists as well as the Young Songwriters Prize winner will be paid to perform their songs before an audience at The Ottawa Grassroots Festival.

Young Songwriters Prize

  • Songs from composers 16 or younger are eligible for the Young Songwriters Prize.
  • Young songwriters are also eligible for the Grand Prize.
  • The Young Songwriters Prize winner will be paid to perform their song before an audience at The Ottawa Grassroots Festival on April 26 and at Gil’s Hootenanny on May 1st. Optionally, the winner may arrange for an alternate performer.

Submission process

  • Complete the entry form on the Spirit of Rasputin’s website here…
  • Upload one lyric sheet (accepted formats: .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, .pdf, .rtf)
  • Upload one sound file (accepted format: .mp3 only)
    NOTE: 10MB filesize limit. Recommended compression: 128kbps or less.
  • To avoid confusion, use the following file naming convention for uploaded files:
    ComposerName-SongTitle.ext

Timeline

  • Entries must be submitted by March 15, 2015.
  • Finalists will be notified by April 7, 2015.
  • Finalist’s songs will be performed April 26, 2015.
  • The winning song will be performed May 1, 2015.

For more information on the contest or if you experience problems submitting your entry contact Hollis Morgan at [email protected] or 613-832-9235.