PA Heritage Songwriting Contest Rules

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Purpose:

The Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest (PHSC) has been created to celebrate the State of Pennsylvania, its people, places, and history in song. It is intended to provide a venue for amateur songwriters to display their art while fostering appreciation and study of Pennsylvania Heritage.

Theme:

Pennsylvania Heritage: The songs must have a PA namesake or theme.

 Finalist Performance Venue:

Approximately 4 PM Saturday at the Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival Main Stage, the third weekend in June at the Quiet Oaks Campground near Cross Fork, PA.

Entry Fee:

$15 per song – Limit two songs per entrant. Fee is non refundable.

Key Contest Dates: 

  • Entry Deadline: May 15th. Mailed entries must be postmarked by May 15th.
  • Winners will be notified by June 1st.

Winner’s Will Receive:

  • 1st Place - $100 & one (2) full festival passes
  • 2nd Place - $75 & one (1) full festival pass
  • 3rd Place – $50 & one (1) full festival pass
  • The top three finishers will be invited to perform their winning song beginning at approximately 4 PM Saturday on the main stage at Smoked County Jam
  • Finishers will also be eligible to receive donated merchandise.

Recording:
A condition of entering is permitting use of entry recordings or a recording of the SCJ performance to be included on a SCJ Compilation CD, to be sold at SCJ events and on the SCJ website for fundraising (PHSC is a not-for-profit event). Compilation recordings will also be submitted to the Smithsonian Folkways Library to be cataloged.

Eligibility:

The Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest is intended to be an “Amateur’s event and is not open to “professional” songwriters or those whose primary source of income (50% or more) is derived from songwriting or publishing. Income from performing gigs is not considered songwriting income. First place winners may not re-enter the following year. Co-writers are subject to the same eligibility requirements as the entrant.  Artists paid to perform at SCJ are not eligible to enter PHSC in the year they are being paid.

 PA Heritage Rules Detail

  • Registration is now open.
  • Audio Files, Entry Forms, and Lyrics can now be submitted electronically at music@ecosa.net  - please indicate PHSC Entry in the subject line.
  • All entry fees, Checks or Money Orders must be made out to Smoked Country Jam and mailed to PHSC c/o ECOSA Music, 30 Pinewood Place, Asheville, NC 28806.
  • Enter by Mail: Contestants must submit the Entry Fee, completed Entry Form, Recording (cassette tape or CD) along with one printed copy of the song Lyrics to the above address. Don’t Send Bio’s or Press Packages.
  • Contest entry is $15/song (limit 2 songs per person) Mailed recordings will not be returned.
  • The Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest is open to any amateur songwriter.

·         Each song submitted must be entrant’s original work.

·         Contestants cannot be signed to a major label or publishing deal.

·         A song is defined as a melody with lyrics.

·         Contestants must be at least 13 years of age.

·         Any contest winner under the legal age of 18 must provide the express written consent of a parent or legal guardian within 48 hours following notification in order to receive prizes and/or promotion through the contest sponsors.

·         Entrants retain all publishing rights to their song(s).

  • Additions or deletions to these rules may be made at the discretion of Smoked Country Jam, and may be enacted at any time.
  • Performers who are scheduled to perform at SCJ are not eligible for the competition
  • All mailed media must be postmarked by May 15 to be eligible.
  • The place winners will be selected by a panel of judges.
  • The top three place winners will be notified by June 1st. Only place winners will be notified.
  • Performance to be solo by composer or composer as singer only with one accompanist.

Evaluation Criteria

  • 80% Lyric Composition (includes strength of tie to Pennsylvania, depth, insight, cleverness, beauty...)
  • 10% Quality of Vocal Rendering (includes vocal quality, pitch, delivery, etc...)
  • 10% Quality of Delivery (instrumental technique, induction, structure, arrangement)

Creation of the PHSC event was inspired by the life and music of Pennsylvanian Craig A. “Bubba” Bowman who was taken from the stage in his prime. Any proceeds from this Non Profit event will be donated to the Craig A. “Bubba” Bowman Scholarship Fund.

 PHSC Entry Form

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