2008 Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 6:00-9:00pm.
Including - a Young Songwriters Competition

Calling all Songwriters!! Are you ready to unveil your lyric masterpiece and become a star? Thousands of people will hear the winner of the BFF Songwriting Contest perform the winning song from the main stage of the Boston Folk Festival. A panel of music professionals listens to every submission, choosing five finalists to perform in front of an audience during a final contest/concert event. This year's finals competition judges will be David Buskin and Robin Batteau; past judges have included Tom Rush, Eric Andersen, Lori McKenna, Pete & Maura Kennedy, Mark Erelli and Catie Curtis. Net proceeds from the Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest helps support the Boston Folk Festival. Deadline for entries is July 7, 2008.

How to enter the contest.

To receive a contest entry form, print the entry form available here, complete it and mail to the address indicated on the form. You can also call 617 287-6900 and request that an entry form be mailed or faxed to you.

Eligibility

This year, the contest is open to all songwriters, amateur and professional. We have two categories:
1) Ages 14-19 (at the time of submission)
2) Adult.

Submissions

Each valid entry must include the following:
A) One completed entry form per song (photocopy acceptable). Signature must be original.
B) One song per cassette or CD.
C) Three (3) copies of the song lyrics - typed or legibly printed (in English).
D) $25.00 for each entry (U.S. currency). Payment can be made by check or money order payable to "Boston Folk Festival Song Contest". Or, use Visa, Discover or Mastercard. DO NOT SEND CASH. Multiple entries can be combined into one payment.
E) Cassettes or CDs, and lyrics must be labeled with CONTESTANT'S NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, SONG TITLE and CO-AUTHOR'S NAME(S)- if applicable.
F) Cassettes, CDs and lyrics will not be returned.
G) No one will receive personal notification of receipt of an entry.
h) Check to be sure that your CD submission is playable on standard CD players

Where to Mail Entry

Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest
WUMB RADIO
UMass BOSTON
100 MORRISSEY BLVD
BOSTON, MA 02125-3393

Entries

All entries must be the original work of contestant and shall not infringe any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties. Songs may have multiple co-writers, but only one name should be designated on the entry form. Contestant may enter as many songs as he/she wishes. However, each song constitutes a separate entry and must have its own entry form, lyric sheet, and recorded cassette or CD. Check, money order or credit card payment must reflect the total number of songs submitted (for example, two entries would require payment of $50, three would require $75, and so on). The Boston Folk Festival Songwriting contest is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, insufficient postage, stolen or misappropriated entries. Entry material will not be returned. Entry Fees are not refundable. If entrant is under 18 years old, the signature of a parent or guardian is required. All entries must be postmarked or hand-delivered no later than 7pm (EDT) on Monday, July 7, 2008.

Judging

Entries will be screened by a pre-judging committee and five finalists will be sent to the judges who will select the winners. Judges will consist of a panel of music professionals. Each entry will be judged on originality, lyrics and melody. Music production and performance quality is not considered. All decisions by the judges will be final. Finalists will be determined and notified no later than August 13, 2008. Note: Only finalists will be personally notified!

Finalists

Five finalists in each of the two categories will compete at UMass Boston on Saturday Night September 13, 2008 beginning at at 6:00pm. The finalist judges, David Buskin and Robin Batteau will also perform that night. One night of lodging (consisting of one room on Saturday, September 13, 2007, with room costs and taxes only paid for) will be provided for each finalist, if needed and requested a minimum of two weeks in advance. Transportation to and from the Contest and any other expenses are the responsibility of the finalist. Each finalist will receive two complimentary passes to the Songwriting Contest and to the Folk Festival on September 13 & 14, 2008. Co-writers will be treated as one entrant for lodging, credentials, and prizes. The composer or their representative must perform each song in the finals live, with no more than one accompanist. No performances to pre-recorded tracks. The first place winner or their representative must perform their song on the Field Stage on Sunday, September 14th; transportation to the Festival and any other expenses are the responsibility of the winner.

Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded in both categories to the 1st ($400), 2nd ($200) and 3rd ($100) place winners in the formal finalist competition determined by professional judges. Additional prizes: Two informal "crowd pleaser" prizes will be awarded in both categories to the 1st ($200) and 2nd ($100) winners determined by audience response. All prizes will be awarded to the name on the entry form. Division of prizes among co-authors is the responsibility of winners. Taxes are the responsibility of winners. Void where prohibited. All Federal, State and Local laws and regulations apply. The first-place winner of the formal judging will also be expected to perform his/her/their winning song on the Field Stage on Sunday, September 14, 2008.

Indemnity and Release

Signature on entry form certifies that each song submitted is an original work and releases The Boston Folk Festival, its sponsors and UMass Boston from all liability. The winner will be required to sign an affidavit confirming that the winning song is original and (s)he holds the rights to the song. Entry also constitutes permission to use winner's name and likeness for future advertising and publicity without compensation. Entrant will retain full rights to all work submitted for the competition.

Questions

Please direct all questions to folkfest@umb.edu. Allow an average of one week for a response.