Hello, friends!
This is Rory, and here's the run down on the upcoming Singer-Songwriter Contest:
Singer-Songwriter Contest
3 Round Elimination
Thursday, February 9, 2006, 6:30 PM
Wired & Unplugged
717 First Street, Snohomish
360.568.2472
$50 CASH PRIZE!
SIGN-UPS ARE FROM 6:30 TO 6:55 PM.
CONTEST BEGINS @ 7:00 PM!
HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK:
ENTRY: All contestants wishing to enter must do so by the cut-off time of 6:55 PM. If you know you are going to be late, please call ahead and ask to speak to the host directly!
Once entry has closed, performance order is then selected in random order. Performances will begin promptly after host introduction at 7 PM. If a performer is not present at the time their name is called, they are passed over and disqualified from the competition. Please be ready! We will currently allow up to 16 entrants into the contest based on time considerations. (This number will be re-evaluated after the first contest.)
JUDGES: A selection of 3-5 judges will be chosen from the attending audience by the event host during the sign-up period. Guidelines to be a judge are simply a) that s/he is not a competing performer and b) s/he agrees to remain a judge for the duration of the contest (approx. 2 hrs.). If necessary, the host will fill a judging position to meet the minimum of three judges. Judges are asked to be as impartial as possible, and whenever possible not related (friend, family, or colleague) to any particular performer.
PERFORMANCE: All entrants will be allowed to play one original song in the opening round. All songs must be original compositions, created or co-written by the performer. Performing a cover song will result in disqualification. Performers must announce the title of each song so that it maybe recorded. (Untitled is not acceptable for the purposes of this contestjust pick something.) Songs can be no longer than five minutes due to time constraints. This is a singer-songwriter eventno instrumentals, please. If a performer advances, they may not repeat a song during the evening. Performers should be prepared to play up to 4 songs if necessary (5 in the case of a tiebreaker). Performers are asked to be prepared to play when his/her name is called, and to please be in tune. Engage the audience and have fun!
SCORING: It is generally understood that scoring music is highly subjective and very much a matter of taste. That being said, the following principles will be used for selecting a winner for the sake of competition.
Scoring will be based on the following categories for a total of up to 10 points (per song):
Musicality (0-3 PTS): This broadly applies to song structure, melody, and accessibility for the listener. Guiding considerations: How well is the song put together? Does the song flow or does it drag the listener along? Does the song have dynamic function, or is it static and the same from beginning to end? Does it draw the listener in or cause them to "tune out"? Is the tune memorable or forgettable? Do you want to hear it again?
Lyricism (0-3 PTS): This category considers the word choice in a song and how that services the song. Guiding considerations: Is the language evocative or interesting? Is it clich? Is it distinguishable or remarkable in some way? Is it tedious? Bland? Does it invite the listener to pay attention?
Performance (0-4 PTS): This category emphasizes the showmanship aspect of live music. A performer doesn't have to be a master songwriter to be a great entertainer! Guiding considerations: Is the performer prepared? Do you enjoy what you are hearing? Does the performer have an engaging stage presence? Does the performer make the audience uncomfortable? Can you understand the lyrics? Is the performer in tune? Does the performance leave you wanting to hear more? Do you just want the performer to get off the stage? Are you bored? Were you blown away?
Mandatory Deductions:
* Not being prepared to take the stage when your name is called (-1 PT)
* Playing "the tuning song" at any point during your time on stage (-1 PT)
* Exceeding the five minute time limit for the song (-1 PT)
ELIMINATION & ADVANCEMENT: All scores will be collected and compiled, and a cumulative score will be recorded on a score sheet by the host. Judges individual scores will be kept anonymous. The host will then announce the performers individual and combined scores before the next performer begins.
Once Round One has been completed, performers will be ranked according to score. The highest scoring half of performers (rounded down)up to a total of 6will advance to Round 2.
Round Two will commence immediately. Performers will again be randomized and perform in the determined order. Procedure is the same as Round 1. Once all performers have been scored, only the top two scores will advance to the final round.
The Final Round will begin after a five-minute intermission for the performers and judges to prepare. Each performer will have the opportunity to play two songs in the final round. The lower scoring performer will play first. Once his/her scores have been announced the higher scorer will perform his/her first song. His/her score will be announced, and s/he will immediately perform his/her second song. The lower scorer from the second round plays the last song. The final two scores will not be announced until both performers have played. Once the scores are tallied, a winner is chosen and the prize money is awarded.
Tiebreakers will be necessary if two or more artists on the cut have the same score. First round ties will be settled by audience applause. Second round ties will be settled by comparing first round scores. If still tied, they will perform new songs head-to-head. Final round ties will be settled by either a head-to-head tiebreaker performance (a third final round song), OR an impromptu songwriting session in which performers are given a topic selected by audience members and five minutes to compose an original song for immediate performance. The audience will determine which tiebreaker method they prefer for the final round.
Some notes from the event organizer:
A couple caveats:
I understand that most likely the judges will be friends/relatives/supporters of the performers, and in a perfect world we would have 5 completely objective judges who had never seen or heard any of the performers before. However, it is more than likely that most, if not all, of the judges will know at least one of the performers in some regard. Please keep in mind that this event is meant to induce a spirited competition for the entertainment of guests and friends and lovers of live music at Wired & Unplugged. This is just as much fun for the audience as it is for you!
Conversely, some may balk at the notion of a contest in such a subjective field with losers and winners, but I make note that entry to the contest is entirely voluntary. If you are inclined to see not advancing past the first round as a put down, by no means enter. However, I once participated in a similar event at the very start of my songwriting endeavors, and I found the contest to be a rewarding and exciting evening that I would always look forward to. It helped me establish relationships with fellow songwriters and gave me motivation to keep at it and seek to write better songs. Those days are some of my favorite memories as a budding songwriter.
Enter the contest with a grain of salt, and enjoy yourself! Were here to entertain, but with the added benefit of learning about yourself as a performing songwriter. Thanks for taking part, andagainhave fun!