**The Song Writing Competition for 2016 has ended for the year, thanks for all the submissions!**
IMSTA is proud to announce the IMSTA FESTA Songwriting Contest conducted & hosted by our partner Broadjam. This contest is an annual affair that will provide aspiring and established songwriters the opportunity to have their creative pieces heard by industry professionals. Songs with or without lyrics of any genre are welcome. Finales will take place at each scheduled IMSTA FESTA (LA, CHI, NY, Toronto) where 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winner will be awarded.
IMSTA FESTA is an environment to learn, network and connect with the professionals. The one- day event is a celebration of music technology featuring a selection of music technology companies, a series of professional Panels overflowing with music industry professionals, Master Class series filled with exclusive tips on your favorite production tools. Don’t miss the next IMSTA FESTA! Admission is free!
Dates & Locations:
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All song entries per region will be distilled into a top 3 using Broadjam’s blind listening peer review mechanism. This competition runs throughout 2016 with four separate regional drawings that are linked to each scheduled IMSTA FESTA. The Top-3 finalists will be heard at a judging panel at IMSTA FESTA. All finalists must be present for judging, if they are not, an alternate will be put in their place. Judges will listen to finalists’ creations and pick the regional winner at IMSTA FESTA and will receive a prize, with over $12,000 in prizes.
At the end of 2016, the four 1st place winners from each IMSTA FESTA will enter for the Grand Prize from which, the winning “Song of the Year” will be selected. The Grand Prize winner, in addition to prizes, will win a FREE trip to a songwriting camp hosted by Black Rock Studios in Santorini Greece.
Black Rock Studios is one of the most beautiful studios in the world. Each year Black Rock hosts several Songwriting Camps at their picturesque location on Santorini Island in Greece. This camp is attended by some of the most talented songwriters in the world. The Grand Prize winner will receive a free entry into a Black Rock songwriting camp in 2016, including airfare from the continental USA and Canada to and from Santorini and accommodations in Santorini courtesy of Black Rock Studios and IMSTA.
- Songs must be submitted through Broadjam or via www.imsta.org.
- Each song entry must be contestant's original creation. Songs should not exceed 5 minutes in length (5:00). Entries may have co-writer[s], but one name must be designated per entry.
- To enter this contest you must be a registered member of Broadjam at any level of membership, including free membership. Contestants new to Broadjam receive one free song entry and a 6-month trial Broadjam Film/TV membership ($50 value). Current (as of the contest start date) paid Broadjam members receive two free song entries, while existing free Broadjam members will receive one free entry. Multiple entries are permitted. Each additional song will cost $20.00 USD (Fees are non-refundable).
- Employees of IMSTA, Broadjam and our Sponsors, their families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible.
- Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, originality and lyrics (where applicable).
- Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song; division of prizes is responsibility of winners.
- Entry files must be uploaded as an MP3. Broadjam or IMSTA is not responsible for any corrupt files you may submit. Any and all corrupt files will be deleted without notification to you.
- All complete entries for this contest must be submitted by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (or, if being observed, Central Daylight Time) on the final submission deadlines of the contest.
- All entries are final and irrevocable. Once you have submitted an entry for this contest you may not withdraw the entry or request to change the category, genre or other division you chose for the entry.
- Winner of grand prize must be eligible and able to travel to receive prize.
- Winner must live in North America. Entrants outside of North America will be disqualified if their submission is a finalist.
- Grand prize winner will be notified by email at the address provided, and must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility/publicity release within ten (10) days after the date on such notification. The affidavit will state that the winner's song is an original work and that the winner holds all rights to the song or is a cover of a licensed song and is identified as such in the submission. Failure to sign and return this affidavit within ten (10) days, or the provision of false/inaccurate information therein, will result in immediate disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Affidavits of winners under eighteen (18) years of age at the time of award must be countersigned by the winner's parent or legal guardian. Affidavits are subject to verification by IMSTA.
- Grand prize winner must travel to Santorini in the calendar year following the competition.
Contest Rules & Regulations
- Contestants must be at least 16 years of age to enter this contest.
- The grand prize winner must be able to travel.
- Contestants must live in North America. Entries from songwriters outside of North America will not be entered.
- Finalists must be present at IMSTA FESTA for judging.
- Collaborative work among co-contestants will be accepted, but all prizes will be awarded to the contestant whose name is on the associated Broadjam membership. Division of prizes among co-contestants is the sole responsibility of winners.
- If a submission is created by multiple songwriters wins the Grand Prize, only one songwriter will claim the complete Grand Prize. Broadjam and IMSTA are not responsible for selecting the recipient of this prize.
- Broadjam & IMSTA may change these rules at any time, at Broadjam or IMSTA’s sole discretion, without prior notice to you.
- Prize winners may be asked to prove that the composition is created with legal, purchased software. Songwriters using illegal software are not eligible to win the IMSTA FESTA Song Competition.
- Contestants must provide true, accurate, current and complete contact and other relevant information.
- Broadjam will actively monitor and analyze contest voting traffic to assure the integrity of the contest.
- Immediate disqualification for false registration, making false claims, misrepresentation or any other conduct, action or activity that Broadjam & IMSTA, in its sole discretion, deems to be "cheating."
- Each song submitted must consist entirely of the contestant’s original work. You will be disqualified for submitting any material for which you either do not solely own all worldwide copyright rights or have not obtained all necessary licenses, in proper form.
- Closing and announcement dates for this contest may change without notice to you. Such changes will, however, be posted on imsta.org or Broadjam’s’ site at the contest's page.
- Absolutely no entry fee refunds will be made for any reason.
- Entering this contest does not grant you any right or license to use any Broadjam or IMSTA material (i.e. logos, images, text, etc.), trademarks or other intellectual property of Broadjam or IMSTA for any purpose, without first obtaining Broadjam and IMSTA’s express written consent.
- Employees of Broadjam & IMSTA, their sponsors, advertising agencies, affiliates, agents, representatives, and the families or households of the above are ineligible to enter or win all Broadjam and IMSTA contests.
- The selection of winners by Broadjam, IMSTA and the judges, is final and cannot be appealed.
- All prizes are non-transferable and void where prohibited by law. No cash substitution of prizes is possible.
- The odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winners will receive the prizes as set forth in the contest announcement.
- Winners understand and agree that they are solely responsible for any and all taxes, including but not limited to sales, income, or value added, incurred on prizes received, and for any and all duties, tariffs, or import fees that may be assessed upon receiving prizes.
- All contestants acknowledge, as a condition of entry, that Broadjam & IMSTA has the right to publicize and broadcast any winner's name, character, likeness, voice and all other matters incidental thereto.
- This contest is void where prohibited.
- Companies sponsoring the IMSTA Festa Songwriting competition may choose to collect and use email address used by you in this contest. Broadjam and IMSTA cannot control the privacy policies of these outside sponsors and if you do not want to be emailed by sponsors, you should not participate in the IMSTA Festa Songwriting Competition.
- Without limiting the applicability of other provisions of the Broadjam User Agreement, the Disclaimer of Warranty Provisions of Section 1.10 and Limitation of Liability provisions of Section 1.11 of the Broadjam User Agreement apply to this contest.
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1st Place: Nick Deutsch Nick Deutsch is a New York based Singer/Songwriter originally from Wilmette, Illinois. His musician mother prompted his early interest in music, helping to instill a deep love for Classical and Jazz Piano. |
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1st Place: Randall Rutledge Randall Rutledge was born on August 23, 1961 in Calhoun, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for A Peace of Life (2016). |
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2nd Place: Mike Hyden Mike grew up literally "Livin' on Tulsa Time" as Tulsa, Oklahoma is where he was born and raised. Mike has recently won numerous awards for his music (do an internet search on mike hyden contest) and expects many more. He placed a first in the Austin Songwriter's Group Annual Song Contest which won him a professionally produced demo in Nashville. He realized that this was the way to go and had several more made and hopes to have even more done soon.
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3rd Place: Rollin Jewett Singer/songwriter Rollin Jewett grew up in South Florida and has lived in New York, Los Angeles and Phoenix, to name a few influences. In addition to singing and songwriting, Rollin has also written and acted in several films.
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1st Place: The Root Doctors The Root Doctors have been touring the Southeast for more than 20 years playing the music that makes you feel better than any prescription on the market. With seven strong "doctors of music" on stage, including a two-piece horn section, The Root Doctors are able to cover any style of music that is perfect for any occasion. |
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2nd Place: DeDe Wedekind Named BEST NEW FEMALE ARTIST of the YEAR 2016 @ 5th Annual Indie Music Channel Awards, Grammy Museum, Los Angeles
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3rd Place: TJ Doyle Band TJ Doyle transmits an authenticity that harks back to the 60's when artists were writing about the challenges of a generation instead of the more personal and relationship-oriented pop and rock that currently dominates the airwaves.
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Adam Avery is an ASCAP songwriter who lives with his wife and four children in Burlington, Vermont. He earned his first cut in 2012 when his song Redefined, was recorded by Chicago based band, Daniel's Window. His other recent songwriting accomplishments include:
* Song placement in the 2014 film, Touched By Grace
* Finalist in the 2014 USA Songwriting Contest (over 45,000 entries)
* Finalist in 2014 International Songwriting Competition (over 18,000 entries)
* Winner of the Songwriter Universe Song of the Month Contest in July 2014
* Finalist in the 2013 Great American Song Contest
* Finalist in the 2013 Show Me The Music Contest
Adam focuses primarily in the pop & country genres, but is always looking for co-writing opportunities that grow and stretch him as a writer. If he's learned anything about songwriting, it's that the destination is the journey.
Winning Song by Adam Avery: Half Way to You
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1st place: Mary Segato I started writing and recording my music in 2010. I do not consider myself a singer, so I have various different artists sing my songs. Most of my songs would be considered Adult Contemporary, although I do write country and folk as well |
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2nd place: Sean Croley I began my career after graduating from Fanshawe Colleges Music Industry Arts (M.I.A.) program where I studied recording engineering and music production. After I graduated, I immediately started my own studio called IIdB Studio, that not only allowed me to help local bands to craft their own projects but more importantly, allowed me to work on my own original material both for my corporate clients and my own song writing.
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3rd place: Chet Nichols Chet Nichols is an award-winning songwriter, composer, music producer, engineer, singer, multi-instrumentalist. Chet is an Inductee in The Kansas Music Hall Of Fame. He joins artists like Pat Matheny, Melissa Ethridge, Martina McBride and others. He is included on The Chicago Actor's A-List of Chicago-born entertainers. He was nominated for an Honorary PhD from the Kansas University and a nominee in The Missouri Music Hall of Fame. |
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1st place: Adam Avery Adam Avery is an ASCAP songwriter who lives with his wife and four children in Burlington, Vermont. He earned his first cut in 2012 when his song Redefined, was recorded by Chicago based band, Daniel's Window. |
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2nd place: Joey Hatcher Joey Hatcher's debut album, MUSIC IN MY HEAD, features a dramatic collection of both soaring and intimate songs. The music style can be described as melodically and lyrically driven alternative/pop with folk influences.
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3rd place: Noel Cohen Noel Cohen is a NYC based songwriter who's had his songs recorded by a wide variety of artists. Pop singer Vitamin C recorded his song "Unhappy Anniversary", which he co-wrote with Sean Altman of Rockeppella fame ("Where in the world is Carmen San Diego"), on her platinum selling debut on Elektra records. |
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1st Place: Zac Nelson Zac Nelson is a composer with a huge catalogue of infectious but thoughtful songs. Aside from his work with his band The Dead Storm (currently enjoying some coveted commercial radio airplay in Australia despite being independent), Zac is also releasing a variety of tracks in diverse genres that showcase the depth of his song-writing talent. |
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2nd Place: James Hoppe James Hoppe is an ASCAP songwriter and keyboardist from Los Angeles, California. James' musical inflences include singer songwriters of the early 70's, like Elton John, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and rock bands like the Eagles, Boston, Van Halen and the Doobie Brothers.
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3rd Place: Jellybean Songwriter experienced in Country, Rock, Pop, Christian and R&B.
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1st Place: Marley Weathers Marley Weathers born and raised in Chicago, he started his musical career as a baritone saxophone player for a big band orchestra when he was thirteen years of age and then later studied music in the Merit Music Department. Marley has played Jazz, Latin, electronic and whatever genre of music he can get his hands on. He has been signed and released a few albums with major labels such as Universal, Emi Latin, etc. and has toured most of the US. |
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2nd Place: Rollin' Jewett Singer/songwriter Rollin Jewett grew up in South Florida and has lived in New York, Los Angeles and Phoenix, to name a few influences. In addition to singing and songwriting, Rollin has also written and acted in several major films. He is presently working on new songs for an upcoming album made up entirely of love songs...the idea being to create a pure musical expression of love in all its variety and colors.
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3rd Place: Shea Shea is a 23 year-old R&B/Soul singer and songwriter from Lake Ozark, Missouri. Shea has performed in many shows during her time in Columbia, Missouri and in her hometown, including opening up for R&B singer Sid Sriram and R&B/Pop singer SOMO. Shea has continued to polish her song writing through the years, which contributes a great deal of originality to her soulful sound. |
| AVID |
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Avid Technology, Inc. is an American company specializing in video and audio production technology; specifically, digital non-linear editing (NLE) systems, management and distribution services. It was created in 1987[3] and became a publicly traded company in 1993. Avid is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.[4] Avid products are now used in the television and video industry to create television shows, feature films, and commercials. Media Composer, a professional software-based non-linear editing system, is Avid's flagship product. |
| Black Rock Studios |
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| Black Rock is a combination luxury villa and world class recording studio, located on the magnificent Greek island of Santorini. Built in a style that combines modern and traditional Cycladic architecture. Black Rock blends perfectly with the Aegean landscape. A heaven of inspiration and tranquility between sea and sun, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Aegean sea, and the volcanic islands. |
| Broadjam |
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| Broadjam provides web-based promotional tools and services for independent musicians, the music industry and fans around the world. One of the world's largest web communities focused on independent music, Broadjam.com hosts a massive online database of searchable songs by artists from all 50 U.S. states and over 150 countries worldwide.
Broadjam helps its tens of thousands of musicians and bands promote their music online. Musicians use Broadjam to, sell music downloads, submit music to film & TV supervisors, build a fan base of Broadjam listeners, enter contests to win prizes and exposure, buy music software, get a musician's website. |
| FabFilter |
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At FabFilter, we make the best possible tools for music production and audio processing. To achieve this, we continually rethink and challenge industry standards: we've never been afraid of reinventing the wheel. Considering every little detail, we tune our algorithms and interfaces until they sound perfect, look amazing and feel great to work with. |
| McDSP |
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| McDSP is an innovative Silicon Valley audio software company founded in 1998 by Colin McDowell. Beginning with the release of pioneering equalizer plug-in FilterBank for the Pro Tools digital audio workstation, McDSP has continued producing industry acclaimed and award-winning software titles for the pro audio market.
Such products include the 6030 Ultimate Compressor, Analog Channel, DE555 De-esser, and Synthesizer One. McDSP also licenses audio algorithm IP for use in many other fields including gaming audio and iPhone application development.
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| Celemony |
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Celemony Software GmbH is a German music software company that specializes in digital audio pitch correction software. It produces Melodyne, a unique audio editor with advanced pitch and time editing tools that has become the industry standard. Melodyne has been adopted by a large number of music, game, and film professionals worldwide to create, edit and manipulate vocals and instruments in audio files signals, or generate MIDI data from audio files. Melodyne DNA, or Direct Note Access, allows for independent manipulation of individual notes within chords and polyphonic recordings. |
| Native Instruments |
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| Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. Native Instruments products combine outstanding sound quality with far-reaching sonic possibilities, aesthetic interface design with high usability, and comprehensive functionality with an uncompromising attention to detail.
Today, Native Instruments offers an extensive hardware and software product line that covers the whole field of digital music creation, including REAKTOR, MASSIVE, KONTAKT, BATTERY, and MASCHINE. Native Instruments is also spearheading the digital DJ revolution with its TRAKTOR product range. Native Instruments sees itself as a part of a vibrant international music scene, and is in constant communication with artists whose feedback is integrated into the conception and continuous improvement of the products. |
| Sony |
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Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production. |
| Sugar Bytes |
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| Sugar Bytes was founded to produce and provide better tools for everyone in music. As a result they develop audio software that is easier to use and cheaper to get than everything that's out there. Their products can perform more with fewer buttons and have more features with fewer instructions. Sugar Bytes Tools save you time and money while they provide you with more creative freedom. Their products both sound good and look good. They are also more fun and less expensive. |