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The International Songwriting Competition 2009

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry.

ISC is a great opportunity for songwriters, musicians, and performers to win cash and prizes, further their music careers, and gain recognition and exposure in the music industry.

Objective

Create a song in some of these genres:

  • AAA
  • Adult Contemporary (AC)
  • Americana
  • Blues
  • Children’s Music
  • Comedy/Novelty
  • Country
  • Dance/Electronica
  • Folk/Singer-Songwriter
  • Gospel/Christian
  • Instrumental
  • Jazz
  • Latin
  • Lyrics Only (no music required, just lyrics)
  • Performance *
  • Pop/Top 40
  • R&B/Hip-Hop
  • Rock
  • Teen **
  • World
  • Music Video

* ) The Performance category is judged on songwriting and the overall performance of the song. All genres of music are accepted.
** ) Entrants in the Teen category must be 18 yrs. old or younger on or before 12/31/09.

Official rules of the contest

Prizes

  • Overall Grand Prize Winner – $25,000 cash (U.S.) and $20,000 in prizes
  • First Place Winners in each category – $3,000 in prizes
    The First Place winner in the Teen category will also receive a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music’s 5-week Summer Performance Program in Boston, MA, USA (tuition, room and board included)
  • Second Place Winners in each category – $2,000 in prizes
  • Third Place winners in each category– $1,000 in prizes
  • Peoples’ Voice Online Voting – the public will pick its favorite song from all the finalists – $1,500 in prizes

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.

How to enter?

Entry fee

ISC has an Early Bird entry fee of $30 (US) for the first entry and $20 for each additional entry. For example, if you enter one song in one category, the fee is $30. If you enter one song in two categories, the fee is $50. If you enter two songs in the same category (or in different categories), the fee is $50. If you enter three songs in different categories, the fee is $70, and so forth. The Early Bird entry fee ends on July 15. After July 15, the entry fee is $30 per entry with no discount for additional entries.

Checks and money orders should be made payable to:
International Songwriting Competition

Payment from countries outside the US must be in the form of a bank check, money order, cash, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted from outside the U.S.