Music Academy

Songwriting Competition 2011

Competition details below or as a downloadable PDF (82kb).

***Students should submit their songs without putting their names on their recordings so that we can listen to them and judge them anonymously. The name of the composer should be on the written copy of the song; however, they should not say their name on the recording.***

Purpose: To encourage youth at Covenant Life Church to develop their ability to write songs to serve the church.

Age Ranges: The competition will happen in two age ranges, 4-8th grade, and 9-12th.

Submission Deadline: April 17, 2011

Submission guidelines

• You can submit either a recording (cassette, CD, MP3), or a recording

and

written version of your song. Please put your name on the written version of your song, but DO NOT put your name on your recording. State the title of the song before you begin to perform it.
• Your song must have both lyrics and a melody. If you are gifted at writing either just words or music, we encourage you to collaborate with a friend.
• Lyrics can be original, or they can be taken from scripture or another hymn or poem.
• 4-8th grade may submit just words and a melody. 9-12th grade must also include either chords or a written accompaniment.

Live Judging

We will hold Live Judging for 4-8th graders on Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Edwards Room. 9-12 grade Live Judging will be on Thursday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Edwards Room. Ken Boer and Bob Kauflin will listen to the entries and share their thoughts on each song’s strengths and weaknesses (both musically and scripturally). These events are open to everyone, and winners will be chosen and announced at the end of each evening.

Prizes:

4-8th grade
• 1st Prize

• A $50 gift certificate to the mall
• Your song professionally recorded and made available online

• 2nd Prize: a $25 gift certificate to the mall


9-12th grade
• 1st Prize

• A $75 gift certificate to the mall
• Your song professionally recorded and made available online

• 2nd Prize: a $50 gift certificate to the mall

The recordings of the first prize songs will be made available online for the church and for family and friends to download. 

The goal of our competition is to encourage the writing of songs for corporate worship and devotional use. Therefore, preference will be given to songs that can be sung in corporate worship (Sunday Morning meetings, Care Group, Discovery Land, or family worship). Other submissions are also welcome, however, and will be considered. Winning songs may be edited slightly musically or lyrically before recording.

Entries should be submitted by dropping them off at the church office (Music Academy Songwriting Competition, attention Nancy Chouinard). Entries can also be submitted via email to MusicAcademy@covlife.org. You may also contact Nancy with any questions.

May God bless you in your writing!