New York Songwriters Circle Now Accepting Submissions for Songwriting Contest
The New York Songwriters Circle (NYSC) is currently accepting submissions for the organization’s 2009 Songwriting Contest. While each entry’s lyrics must be in English, NYSC encourages composers from all over the world, who create original tunes in every genre—and every musical gray area in between—to enter.
2008 2nd-place winner Gillian Grassie, a harpist, singer and BMI songwriter based in Philadelphia, has nothing but praise for the contest, and marvels over the opportunities she has gained after earning the New York Songwriters Circle’s seal of approval: “Ever since the New York Songwriters Circle competition, doors have been opening for me in every avenue – bookings, press, festivals, even a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to take my harp around the world for a year collecting stories from other independent musicians! All it takes in this business is for one person to stand behind you and say, ‘This artist is doing something worthwhile,’ for others to listen-up; the New York Songwriters Circle stood up.”
More than $25,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs, including a $10,000 grand prize, a custom Gibson guitar, performance opportunities with BMI Icon John Oates of Grammy award-winning duo Hall & Oates, recording sessions with Grammy-winning producer Glenn Barrett, a feature on New York’s Q104.3 radio, and more. Past contest winners of the buzz-making contest include Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves, and Mieka Pauley.
All entries must be received by October 25, 2009. To submit, or for additional guidelines and information about NYSC’s 2009 Songwriting Contest, click here.
This year, an all-star panel of judges including John Oates, legendary producer Russ Titelman (Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Chaka Khan, Cindi Lauper, Ricki Lee Jones), hit songwriter Alan Merrill (“I Love Rock and Roll”) will cull through the submissions. 12 finalists will perform in front of judges and fans during two stacked nights of music, tentatively slated for November 18 and 19 at the Bitter End in New York City. A silent ballot will determine the winners. Additional honors reserved for the top international submission and entry from a songwriter younger than 18-years-old will also be awarded.
About the New York Songwriters Circle
Founded and directed by singer/songwriter Tina Shafer, The New York Songwriters Circle has been at the forefront of discovering top new songwriting talent for over 19 years. Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Lisa Loeb, Vanessa Carlton, Gavin DeGraw, Kate Voegele, Company of Thieves, Chris Barron (The Spin Doctors), Charlotte Sometimes and Mieka Pauley are just a few of the performers the NYSC has helped launch to stardom.
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