ENTRY PROCEDURES
Each entry must include the following:
  1. A Completed entry form if entering by mail (which you can download and print out from our website at www.unisong.com) with your original signature. A photocopy is acceptable if more than 5 songs are submitted, (the maximum space allowed on the entry form). Or you can enter directly online.
     
  2. Entry song (s) on CD, cassette tape, or via MP3 (via online entry only). You may enter songs of any length.  If you are physically submitting multiple songs or one song in multiple categories, please put them all on one CD or tape, if possible. If entering a CD, submit the entry in a regular-sized CD case and clearly label the spine with the entrant's name. Also be certain the entrant's name is clearly marked directly on the CD, CDR, or cassette tape. If entering a cassette tape, clearly label the spine of the case with the entrant's name. Please include a track listing of the songs in the correct order as they appear.
     
  3. Lyric sheet for each entry you submit (in whatever language the song lyrics are written in). Please include English translation if possible, and type or print legibly. You do not need to send sheet music with your physical entry. For online entries, you will be able to post your lyrics at the time of completing the online entry process.
     
  4. If you are entering the Lyrics Only category, it is not necessary to submit music or specify a category or kind of music other than checking Lyrics only. Just submit the lyrics typed or written legibly.
     
  5. The 16 categories offered are:
    Pop Ballad
    Pop Up-tempo/Dance
    Country
    Rock (Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Soft Rock) Acoustic/Folk
    R&B /Hip-Hop/ Rap
    AAA/Americana
    Gospel/Christian
    Jazz & Blues (Vocal or Instrumental)
    Social/Political
    Childrens
    World Music (including Latin, Reggae, & Non-English)
    Instrumental (Any style)
    Seasonal/Specialty (Christmas, Broadway, Cabaret, Patriotic, Novelty, Wedding, Birthday)
    Lyrics Only
    Performance (Artist & Song).
     
  6. The Performance (Artist & Song) category, is the only one where the winners will be determined equally on the performance of the song and the quality of the song itself. This is a great category for singer/songwriters and artists to have their vocal talent judged alongside their songwriting craft. In all other categories, only the song itself will be judged, no matter the vocal performance of it.
     
  7. You can choose the valuable Critique Option for any song in two versions, a Standard Critique for $10 (click here for an example), or a fuller Custom Critique for $15 (click here for an example). Critiques will be prepared by a team of experts, drawn from the same ranks of qualified songwriters, artists, publishers, record company personnel, and other music professionals doing the judging, (based on availability.) to provide more in-depth analysis and feedback on your songs beyond just being judged for the competition.
     
  8. You can also choose a Category Selection Option ($5 for any song). If you can’t decide yourself or just aren’t sure which category or categories is best suited to your song, by selecting this option, we’ll suggest the most appropriate category for you. You’ll see this option available to you on the entry form online or when you download and print out an entry for.
     
  9. Entry fees: (All fees shown in US Dollars)

    Early bird (From June 1st, 2008 - August 5th, 2008)

    $28 for first song
    $26 for each additional song or additional category of same song
    $10 for each Critique Option
    $10 for each Performance Option
    $5 for each Category Selection Option (We’ll pick the most appropriate category for your song)

    Regular Entry (From August 6th, 2008 - November 15th, 2008)

    $30 for first song
    $28 for each additional song or additional category of same song
    $10 for each Critique Option
    $10 for each Performance Option
    $5 for each Category Selection Option

    For example, if you enter one song in one category before August 5th, the fee is $28. If you enter two songs or the same song in two different categories ($28+ $26), the fee is $54 and so. Any critique is added on at $10 or $15 per critique, depending on the version you select. Any Category Selection Option is added on at $5 per song.

    If you enter one song in one category AFTER August 5th, until November 15th, 2008 the fee is $30. If you enter two songs or the same song in two different categories ($30 + $28), the fee is $58 and so. Any critique is added on at $10 or $15 per critique, depending on the version you select. Any Category Selection Option is added on at $5 per song.

  10. All Checks and money orders should be made payable to Unisong International Song Contest. One check or money order is accepted for multiple entries/categories.

  11. Payment from countries outside the US must be payable in US Dollars (USD) in the form an international money order (or via credit card). Cash and Personal checks are not accepted from outside the U.S.

  12. Online entries are accepted. To enter online directly at Unisong or through Sonicbids, click here

  13. All entries must be postmarked on or before August 5th, 2008 for Early bird entries, or on or before November 15th, 2008 for regular deadline entries.

 
ADDITIONAL CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS
  1. The competition is open to all amateur and professional songwriters around the world. Employees of the Unisong International Song Contest, their families, subsidiaries and affiliates are not eligible to enter.
     
  2. Each entry shall be wholly original and shall not infringe any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties. Each entrant shall, by entering, indemnify and hold Unisong harmless from and against any claims inconsistent with the foregoing. All entry fees are non-refundable. CDs, cassettes, MP3 files, and lyric sheets will not be returned.
     
  3. Entrant retains full ownership rights to all submitted song(s). Unisong does not seek any ownership rights to any song(s) submitted.
     
  4. Unisong is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, postage due, stolen or misappropriated physical entries.
     
  5. The preliminary screenings of all categories will be done by Taxi. The final winners will be selected by Blue Ribbon Panels consisting of top professional writers, producers, artists, publishers, record executives, and other music industry professionals who may be substituted due to availability or at the discretion of the contest organizers. All song entries are judged first and foremost on originality of melody, lyrics, and composition before Production, arrangement, or performance. The exception is in the Performance (Artist & Song) category which is judged equally on the vocal performance and quality of the song itself by specific design.
     
  6. Regular contest Winners will be determined and posted on March 15th, 2009 at our website, www.unisong.com. There will be no transfer and substitution of prizes except as necessary due to availability in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. The fair division and distribution of prizes among co-writers is the responsibility of the winners. All prizes will be awarded to the first name as it appears on the entry form. Any international or local taxes or other deductions due from the prizes awarded will be the responsibility of the winners.
     
  7. The "Winner of the Month" is an additional "contest-within-a-contest" feature where one winner will automatically be selected from all entries in a given month and awarded an extra $250 prize, a free "killer drum track" by world class session drummer Chet McCracken www.ChetMccracken.com, MasterWriter www.MasterWriter.com, the Indie Bible www.IndieBible.com, a one hour consultation with Dan Kimpel  www.DanKimpel.com, Don Grierson www.DonGrierson.com, Rock Star Image www.RockStarImage.com, and a one month individual spotlight of the writer (s) and their song on the Unisong website. There will be a "Winner of the Month" selected in this edition of Unisong for the months of June, July, August, and September. This feature is judged in-house and separately from the main contest, and wining this prize has NO bearing on the regular contest judging afterwards. You don't have to do anything extra to be considered for this mini competition, just enter your songs from June through September.
     
  8. If you are requesting critiques, they will be available for viewing and/or downloading for printing within 60 days maximum after the announcement of the winners on March 15th, 2009. Critiques will be prepared by a team of experts, drawn form the same ranks of songwriters, artists, publishers, record company personnel, and other qualified music professionals as the judging, based on availabilityy.
     
  9. Void where prohibited. All federal, International, state and local laws and regulations apply. The entrant shall (or shall cause the copyright owner of the entry if different from the entrant to) permit Unisong to perform the entry in and as part of any Unisong award ceremony, to record the entry either as it is originally recorded or as a newly recorded version, for non-sale promotional purposes and to use the resulting recording for such promotional purposes as Unisong shall deem fitit.
     
  10. Each entrant acknowledges that in the event he or she is the winner of a prize in this competition, Unisong will have the right to publicize and print his or her name and likeness on our website, and in other promotional media as needed, and the fact that he or she won a prize in the competition and all related matters without additional compensation.
     
  11. Entrant agrees that if selected as a first place winner in any of the 16 categories, Unisong has the right to include their winning song on a Disc Makers/Unisong Compilation Winners CD, Vol. # 4 to be used for promotional purposes only.
     
  12. All mailed in entry packages must be postmarked ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 5TH, 2008 for Early bird entries, and ON OR BEFORE November 15TH, 2008 for regular entries. Unisong reserves the right to extend these dates if necessary.

  13. Unisong will make its best effort to contact all winners due prizes using the contact information supplied by the entrant. It's then the entrant's responsibility to claim their prizes no later than 6 months after all contest winners have been announced on March 15th, 2009.
     
  14. To request a winner’s list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to UNISONG INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST (Specify winners list), 6520 PLATT AVE. #729 WEST HILLS, CA 91307-3218 USA. Requests for winners list will be accepted until May 15th, 2009.
     
  15. If you have any general questions, comments, or concerns......
    Please email us at: Info@Unisong.com

    If you have any problems or questions about entering online or using our web site.....Please email us at: Help@Unisong.com

    If you need an entry form mailed to you........
    Please email us at: Entries@Unisong.com

    If you need to report any errors on our site........
    Please email us at: Webmaster@Unisong.com.

  16. If you wish to contact us on any of the above via telephone, call our main voice mail and recorded info line in the USA at (213) 488-4411

  17. Entrant agrees to be bound by all Unisong Entry Procedures and Rules and Regulations established here.