Last Updated - June13th, 2008
Here's a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions we have been asked. If you cannot find the answer to your question, just post it or contact us.
1. What do you most look for in a submission?
We first and foremost look for a great song. A strong melody and well written lyrics. Production and performance values are important as they help to highlight a great song. We also look to see how the song fits stylistically with the genre in which it is delivered - Will the song still stand out when it's performed live? The songwriting aspect of the submission are what we look for the most.
2.How are the songs rated and processed?
All submissions are reviewed by a panel of listeners directed by Tina Shafer. All submissions are also considered for ongoing showcases and events. Throughout a 6 month period submissions are reviewed and rated, then narrowed down until we reach a list of 12 finalists. These finalists are contacted and announced on the site on or around October 15th, 2008. All 12 finalists are invited to perform their songs live in front of our blue ribbon panel of judges and an enthusiastic crowd of fans during our 2 night finale events, where a winner is decided upon and announced.
3.Why should I submit music to you?
Aside from the opportunity of being featured in our award winning ongoing events, concert productions and the annual contest, We offer our members many other opportunities which involve live gigs, cd releases, music placements and more. Your song submissions add your music to our growing database of material from which we draw talent and allows you the opportunity to take part in all of these exciting productions and expose your music to a huge audience.
We currently host a database of over 4000 songs from all over the world. Many times we or many of our industry contacts will be looking for a certain song, songwriter or musician for a project or session which may lead to you getting hired. Additionally, Our ongoing reputation as one of the most outstanding venues around to feature new, original music and many of the artists that have come from the Circle in the past (Norah Jones, Richard Julian, Vanessa Carlton, Gavin DeGraw, Spin Doctors, Lisa Loeb, Jesse Harris and more) makes the New York Songwriters Circle a haven of new original talent for many music industry professionals including Record labels, Publishers, Music writers and editors, Managers and Entertainment lawyers, many of whom are personally involved in our annual contest.
4.How do I contact you?
Please use our contact page.
5.Other then submitting music to the circle, how else can I get involved?
Come check out a live show in NY or PA when you're in town. We love meeting members in person !
6.Why should I submit 3 songs instead of one?
We want to get a good sense of what you are about as a writer when we listen to your songs. Submitting more then one song simply allows us to get to know you and your songs a little better. Maybe the "other songs" that you submitted will be more in the direction of what we are looking for. That is also why we offer the special deal on 3 song submissions ($45 vs. $75).
We currently host a database of over 4000 songs from all over the world. Many times we or many of our industry contacts will be looking for a certain type of song, songwriter or musician for a project or session which may lead to you getting hired.
7.I am a lyricist. Can I submit only lyrics with no music? I only compose - Can I submit only music with no lyrics?
We cannot accept submissions that do not consist of both a melody and a lyric. The lyricists and the composers should get together and write! Visit our collaborative corner and find someone to collaborate with!
8.I write my own music but am not a performer - can I still submit?
Of course. Many of our previous talent and events feature writers who wrote many big hits for many big artists, yet are not performers themselves. You can choose to either perform the song yourself (go for it we say!) or feature a guest singer/musician to perform your song.
9.I've performed with the circle in the past and want to keep you updated on my career !
We've been doing this for over 17 years and are honored to have had many great artists work with us in the past. Let us know what you've been up to. You can contact us or post a note about your whereabouts on our active message boards.
10.I am not the one singing the song I am submitting - is that OK?
Yes it is. If your submission makes it to the live finale events, then you can choose to either perform the song yourselves (go for it :) !) or feature a guest singer/musician to perform your song. When submitting make sure to include the artist's name with your submission.
11.My song contains a sample. Can I still submit it?
All lyrical and compositional content must be 100% original. Keep in mind that if your submission makes it to the live finale, you may have to perform a version of the selected song without the samples.
12.Do you guys retain any ownership of any kind on all songs submitted?
No.
13.How can I continue to get updated information and stay in touch with the Circle ?
Become a member today - it is FREE !
14. I submitted music online but never got a confirmation email. Did you receive my submission ?
If you submitted your songs online you should have received a confirmation email from us. If you did not receive one contact us with complete information about your submission so that we can further look into it.
If your submission was mailed in please allow up to 2 weeks for processing. We will send you an email confirming we have received your mail in submission. If you have not received a confirmation email and more then 2 weeks have passed since you mailed in your submission please contact us with complete information about your submission so that we can further look into it.
15.How do i get booked for a showcase?
During the contest time period all bookings for events are done via contest submissions. Each submission counts not only as an entry to the 2008 Songwriting Contest but talent is also considered and booked for ongoing showcases, the MSG concert series and more.
16.When are finalists notified?
Finalists for the 2008 contest will be notified and announced on our site on or around October 15th, 2008.
17.When is the deadline for contest submissions?
The deadline for contest submissions is September 30th, 2008.
