buy tickets to solarfest
 SINGER/SONGWRITERS
 


2008 SolarFest Songwriter Showcase Sunday, July 13

The Songwriter Showcase is a songwriter competition open to anyone who writes and performs original music and who is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Contestants are judged on the quality of the song's composition, their vocal delivery, and overall performance. The SolarFest staff will select ten songwriter finalists to perform at the Festival, where they will be judged by a panel of industry professionals. Awards include cash, prizes, and a chance to perform on the SolarFest Main Stage in 2009!

2008 SolarFest Songwriter Showcase Finalists Announced
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
  • Meg Cossaboom of St. Albans VT
  • Jenny Goodspeed of Ashfield, MA
  • Ben Hammond of Hiram, ME
  • Spook Handy of New Brunswick, NJ
  • Aaron Nathans of Wilmington, DE
  • Rebecca Padula of Hinesburg, VT
  • Bob Sima of Woodbine, MD
  • David Story of Morgantown, WV
  • Teresa Storch of Somerville, MA
  • Linda Warnaar of Barnet, VT

Past Winners of SolarFest's Singer/Songwriter Showcase

Competition Rules

Contestants may submit one or more of their own original songs for consideration. The entrance fee is $10 per song. Checks should be made out to SolarFest and included with the entrance materials.

Contestants should submit their recordings on an audio CD with the track number(s) clearly specified. Songwriters may also submit digital files already posted on the Web or burned to a CD or DVD. Those wishing to e-mail files should inquire in advance about proper procedures. Songwriters are responsible for ensuring the quality and integrity of their digital files. In all cases, a check for the appropriate entry fee should be mailed to SolarFest and postmarked by the deadline, May 26, 2008.

There is no official entry form, but all entries must include the artist's current address, phone number, and e-mail address. Though not required, a short biographical note is sometimes helpful.

Send submissions and/or appropriate entry fees by May 26, 2008 to:
SolarFest
12 McNamara Road
Middletown Springs, VT 05757
Attn: Songwriter Showcase

  • Recording quality is not critical, and recordings will not be returned.
  • Contestants cannot be signed to a major label or publishing deal.
  • All tapes and CD's must be postmarked by May 26, 2008 to be eligible.
  • Ten finalists will be chosen for the Songwriter Showcase.
  • You will be notified by June 5, 2008 if you are selected.
  • Only finalists will be notified. Check our Web site after June 10, 2008 for a list of finalists.

Judging Criteria

Judges at each stage of the competition will consider the following qualities:

  • Composition (both music and lyrics)
  • Arrangement
  • Vocal Ability
  • Instrumental Technique

In the actual showcase, musicians will also be judged on their overall performance skills (stage presence, audience rapport, etc.).

Showcase Competition Performances

Ten finalists will each play two original songs on the Festival Main Stage. All finalists will receive two complimentary weekend SolarFest passes.

For the final competition, the following guidelines apply:

  • Acoustic instruments with pickups are permitted, including basic EQ, but no effects are allowed.
  • Instruments allowed are those that can be carried out to the mics with the performer.
  • Keyboards WILL be allowed, but only in piano mode (no synthesizer/effects).
  • No backup musicians are allowed. This is a solo competition.
  • Recommended time limit: 5 minutes per song. Points will be deducted for significantly exceeding this limit.
  • After the competition, finalists may perform in their own sets on our family stage. Back-up musicians may join the artist for these sets.

Our final judges in 2007 included Dan Bolles (Music Editor of Seven Days newspaper and arts weekly), Wanda Fischer (host of New York Public Radio's "Hudson River Sampler"), Dave Pyles (Editor/Publisher of the Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange), Christine Farren (WGDR-FM, Community Radio in Plainfield VT), Jim Gilmour (Southview Arts Recording Studio), and Phil Henry (Songwriter Showcase Winner in 2005).

Showcase Competition Prizes

  • 1st Place:
    • $1,000 of recording studio time courtesy of Southview Arts
    • $500 in radio promotion services courtesy of Hudson Harding
    • SolarFest 2009 Main Stage Performance
    • Gift basket from Vermont Soap Co.
    • $300
  • 2nd Place:
    • $500 of recording studio time
      • +
    • Gift basket from Vermont Soap Co.
    • $200
  • Gift basket from Vermont Soap Co.
  • 3rd Place: $200

Southview Arts studio, located in south-central Vermont, offers a full range of recording services with a specialty in music production. Beautiful surroundings and a lack of distraction make for an excellent opportunity to make a great recording.

Hudson Harding Music folk radio promotion is committed to the living tradition of folk music and connects independent artists with independently programmed folk radio. The agency represents past SolarFest winner Chuck E. Costa, Pat Wictor, Amy Speace, Terence Martin, Dana and Susan Robinson, Noel Paul Stookey, Brooks Williams, Stephanie Corby, Randall Williams, Emily Kurn, We're About 9, Jud Caswell, and more. For more information, contact Hudson Harding at 215.868.3855 or visit them online at www.hudsonharding.com.

Need more info now? Email us at songwriter@solarfest.org or call 802-235-1113.
 

Click Here To See All Our Sponsors