Where can I find the rules and regulations?

A link to the rules and regulations can be found on the 'Enter the Contest' page. You can also click here to read the rules and regulations..
 
Who can enter the contest?

The competition is open to all amateur and professional songwriters. Employees of the Unisong International Song Contest, their families, subsidiaries and affiliates are not eligible.
 
Is this contest only open to USA songwriters?

The Unisong International Song Contest is open to songwriters in ALL countries. As we've been around since 1997, proudly being the 1st truly International song contest, our roots run deep in the international arena, through our past Grand Prizes and global friends and contacts. So we not only accept entries from around the world, we highly encourage them. We have received entries from over 90 countries worldwide thus far, and from every continent except Antarctica (maybe some penguin songwriter will enter a song soon too!!!)
 
What are the chances of a songwriter from outside the USA winning?

Excellent. Unisong has had the most international winners of any major international songwriting contest. From over 25 countries and counting. Past Grand Prize winner (2006) Judith de los Santos was from Mexico. Plus other past international Grand Prize winners like Sascha Dupont from Denmark (2000), and Claire Dallison (1999) and Ruth Merry (1998) both from the UK. In recent years we’ve had 1st place winners from Australia, Germany, Iceland, France, Canada, and Ireland. Plus other major prize winners over the years from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Singapore, Spain, Japan, China, and New Zealand to name but a few. In fact, more than one third of all Unisong winners have come from outside the USA.
 
Is there a limit to the maximum number of songs, or categories I can enter?

No, there's no limit on the number of songs you can enter. You can enter as many songs as you want in different categories, or as many songs as you want in the same category.

 
What are the categories this year?

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, and Non-English), Instrumental (Any style of music), Seasonal/Specialty (Christmas, Broadway, Cabaret, Patriotic, Novelty, Wedding, Birthday), Lyrics Only, and Performance (Artist & Song). All song entries are judged first and foremost on originality of melody, lyrics, and composition over Production and arrangement. The exception is in the Perforrmance (Artist & Song) category where the winners will be determined equally on the performance of the song and the quality of the song itself by specific design.
 
What if my song doesn't seem to fit clearly into any category?

Take a chance and enter it into the categories that you feel fits it best. A great song will always stand out and be recognized even if it doesn't fit exactly into a specific category. The categories are meant to be a guide, not a rule. Or if you just can’t decide where it fits on your own, we’re offering an extra option this edition where we’ll select the best category for your song for an additional $5. You’ll see this option available to you on the entry form online or when you download and print out an entry form.

 
How does the “Winner of the Month” work?

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, Sony ACID Pro 6 www.Sony.com, EZ Player Pro by Toontrack www.Toontrack.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.
 
You accept Instrumentals in two categories, Jazz/ Blues, and Instrumental. What is the differences?

This is actually designed to give you several opportunities to submit your instrumental songs for this edition if you wish to. In the Jazz category, you can submit either a Jazz song with lyrics and vocals OR a Jazz instrumental piece. In the Blues category, you can submit either a Blues song with lyrics and vocals OR a straight Blues instrumental. And in the regular Instrumental category it can be any kind of style of instrumental, but no songs with vocals are allowed.

This is actually designed to give you two opportunities to submit your Jazz & Blues oriented instrumentals for this edition if you wish to. If your instrumentals are more Jazz or Blues in nature, you can submit in the Jazz & Blues category alongside the Jazz & Blues songs with lyrics and vocals also submitted there. In the regular Instrumental category it can be ANY kind of style of instrumental music, from Symphonic or Orchestral, to Country, Pop, Film/TV score pieces, and everything in between. But only songs without vocals are allowed in this category (other than vocal snippets or sounds, not actual lyrics being sung).
 
Who will be doing the song critiques and when will they be sent out?

As we highly believe in the valuable feedback personal critiques offer, our team of knowledgeable and helpful experts in this area are drawn from the same high level pool of songwriters, publishers, artists, and record company executives who do the regular judging for us.We offer both a full song critique (music and lyrics), and a lyrics only critique for people requesting feedback on a lyric submitted in the lyrics only category. We offer two levels of critique, either a basic, more standard fashion for $10 (click here for an example), or a fuller, more custom critique for $15 per song (click here for an example). You will be able to choose which version you want at the time of entry. Finished critiques will be available for viewing and/or download no later than 60 days after the announcement of the winners.
 
Can I get a song critique without entering the contest?

No. The song critique option is only available for songs entered in the contest.
 
How can I get an entry form?

You can receive an entry form the following ways:

Download a PDF of the entry form (Adobe Acrobat Reader required), HTML, or text only from our website at www.unisong.com.

Credit card users can complete our SECURE, on-line form

You can request a physical entry form at our voice mail/info line (213) 488-4411. Or Send a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to the following address: UNISONG I.S.C., 6520 Platt Ave. #729 West Hills. CA 91307-3218.
 
Can the entry form be photocopied?

Yes, if needed. You can copy the application if you're submitting more than 5 songs or lyrics (which is the maximum amount of song entries available on one entry form). This does not apply to direct on-line entries or entries through Sonicbids.
 
Do you have any specific entry instructions?

For physical entries, please put all your songs on one CD or tape. Please make sure the songs are clearly marked with the name of the song, songwriter (s), and category. If you are sending a CD, please put a piece masking tape on the spine and write your name in black magic marker. Use a regular-sized case. Use the same procedure if you're sending in a song on cassette. Also, please make sure that the songwriters name is clearly marked.

Each entry must include the following:

* Completed entry form (photocopy is acceptable if more than 5 songs are submitted, the maximum space allowed on the entry form) with original signature.

* Song (s) on CD, cassette tape

* Lyric sheet for each entry you submit (in whatever language the song lyrics are written in). Please include English translation if possible for songs entered in categories other than Non-English, and type or print legibly. For online entries, you will be able to post your lyrics at the time of completing the online entry process.

 
If I'm only entering lyrics, what's the entry procedure?

Please send in the lyrics typed or neatly written. They do not need to be accompanied by music, and you do not need to specify the kind of music the lyrics are written for. You do not need to include sheet music, chords, or any other kind of musical notation, just the lyrics. If the lyrics aren't English, please include the English translation, if available.

 
What are the various entry fees for Unisong?

(All fees shown in US Dollars)

Early bird Entry (From June 1st, 2008 - August 5th, 2008)
$28 for 1st song
$26 for each additional song or additional category of same song
$10 for each standard Critique Option or $15 for each Custom Critique 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 1st song
$28 for each additional song or additional category of same song,
$10 for each standard Critique  Option or $15 for each custom critique Option
$5 for each Category Selection Option (We’ll pick the most appropriate category for your song)
 
What type of payment do you accept for entries from outside the USA?

Unfortunately, we can't accept personal checks from those living outside the USA, including Canada We can only accept international bank cheques and money orders, or credit cards. Or Pay Pal if you enter online. Please don't send personal checks with the words "US Funds" written in next to the amount. This will be returned. Also, we can't accept bank wire transfers for payment, as there are too many fees involved on both ends and currency conversion issues as well.
 
Will my entry materials be returned?

No!! CD's, cassette tapes, MP3 files, and/or lyric sheets that are sent will not be returned.
 
Does the recording have to be professionally done?

You should submit the best recording possible, but remember, the recording isn't being judged -- the SONG is.
 
Is there a maximum time length to an entered song?

No, you may enter songs of any length.

 
Can multiple physical entries be sent in one package?

Yes. You can send all of your entries in one package.
 
Can I pay for multiple entries with one check, money order or credit card information?

Yes. You can submit one check, money order, or credit card information for all of your physical entries. For on-line entries, you will be instructed to follow the entry and payment procedures one song at a time.
 
Can I enter on-line?

Yes. Unisong has both its' own on-line entry option and entering on-line through Sonicbids as well. Either way, it's very fast and easy. There's a small processing fee for entering on-line, but it's still less expensive than sending entries through the mail. When entering through Sonicbids, you'll also receive a 6-month membership. A great perk.

 
Will entrants be notified when their entries have been received?

Yes. We send out an email to all entrants to notify them that their entry has been safely received. However, as you know, email is not a 100% reliable perfect science, and sometimes it's not received or returned for a variety of reasons. If you do not receive any notification from us within a month of sending out your entry, feel free to contact us via e-mail at entries@unisong.com or at the voice mail line (213) 488-4411 to confirm receipt. If your e-mail address changes, please be sure to notify us ASAP, as this is the main method we use to communicate with entrants.

 
When will winners be notified and how?

All entrants will receive notification when the winners are posted via e-mail, besides the top winners and finalists being listed on our web site after the winners are announced. The Grand Prize and Top Four Prize winners in every category will be e-mailed and/or called personally by one of our officers (one of our most enjoyable tasks). Depending on a variety of factors, we anticipate that the winners will be announced no later than March 15th, 2009.

 
Can I enter again if I entered last year?

C'mon in!!! You can even enter either the same song(s),or new songs if you have them. We try to have as many new judges as possible from year to year, so there will always be some "fresh ears" listening to your songs.
 
Can I enter songs that I've entered in other songwriting contests?

Yes. There are no restrictions on entering songs you may have entered in other competitions in the past (whether they won or not). In fact, we've had several winning songs along the way that have also placed as a winner in other contests.

 
Are my songs and rights protected?

Yes. You retain ALL rights to your songs. You do not give up and publishing rights in entering Unisong.
 
Can I enter a song I've written if the rights to it belong to a music publisher or other parties?

Yes, but you'll have to get permission from the publisher (s) involved. If your song is selected as a winner, you'll be required to send us the publisher's signed approval.
 
Can I submit songs to "Unisong" that I've already pitched to record labels or publishing companies?

Yes. Since Unisong has no ownership in any of your songs, you are free to submit songs to Unisong that have already been pitched elsewhere. In fact, we encourage you to do whatever you can to create success with your songs.
 
What is the screening process for the judges?

The preliminary levels of screening of songs are done by Taxi, a top independent A&R company. Their screening procedures are carefully and respectfully implemented with the goal of selecting the best songs as finalists to send on to the selected panels of judges who have expertise in a particular genre or style of music. The judges then select the winners for each category from this group of finalists. Then after all the categories winners are chosen, one final Blue Ribbon panel consisting of the highest level judges available, will choose one Grand Prize winner from the 16 category winners.
 
What is the Discmakers/Unisong Winners Compilation CD?

Unisong produces an annual Winners Compilation CD in partnership with Disc Makers, featuring the Grand Prize and all First Place winning songs, plus this time around we’ll be including the four “Winner of the Month” songs if different from the final winners (in the past  ‘Winner of the Month” songs have gone on to also win First Prize in a category…so no need to include it twice on the winner’s compilation). If the Lyrics Only winner has a recorded version of their lyrics to music, it will also be included. This CD is not for sale, and is used for publicity and promotional purposes only. It's sent out to A&R departments, press, radio, and more. As it's a promotional CD, there are no royalties paid to the artists on it;  however, all songwriters will retain full rights to their songs. The purpose of this CD is to increase exposure for all the winners, and to help them further their careers.

 
What is the People's Choice Award?

The People's Choice Award is an additional chance to win $500 plus prizes and gain some extra recognition and exposure. It is a completely separate award chosen by the public after the regular judging panels are completed.. Once we officially announce the top four winning songs in all 16 categories, those 64 songs will be put up on our web site, and the public invited to vote for their favorite song out of that entire 64 song pool of winners over a two-week period. At the end of the two week voting period, the song which has received the most votes, will be the People’s Choice Award Winner.

 
How long has Unisong been around?

Since 1997. It was originally founded by veteran songwriter Alan Roy Scott (Music Bridges), along with publisher David Stark (SongLink International) and songwriter/promoter Brett Perkins (Brett Perkins Presents) who set out to create a different kind of song contest. The Unisong International Song Contest was the first international song contest created "by songwriters...for songwriters". Mr. Scott is still the main creative and guiding force behind it today.

 
Do you list the winners for previous years?

We currently list our winners from previous editions of Unisong as far back as the 9th edition (2004-2005), 10th edition (2005-2006), and most recent 11th edition (2006-2007) on our website under the tab marked “Winners”. We still have many websites you can link to of past winners, and many of the winning songs still there to be listened to, with more being added as they become available. We are planning to keep adding even earlier years in the near future, but this will be mostly archival in nature, before our 9th edition.