SONG WRITING
PURPOSE: This event develops the ability to express spiritual feelings and thoughts in the form of song.
PROCESS:
Each participant will:
1. Write an original composition (music and words).
2. Mail four copies of the song and one cover sheet to the Event Director on or before the pre-convention deadline.
THE PACKAGE MUST BE POSTMARKED
ON OR BEFORE THE PRE-CONVENTION DEADLINE
3. Include stamped self-addressed postcard or email address if confirmation of receipt is requested.
The Event Coordinator will:
1. Send confirmation of receipt of songs to the local Church Coordinator by US mail or email.
2. Write name, grade, and church of each participant at the top of 3 judging forms, and get them along with the songs to the three judges.
3. Compile judging sheets and assign award category G, S, B, P.
4. Mail all judging forms, comment forms, a copy of each song with its cover sheet and all award recommendations to the Pre-Convention Coordinator on or before the pre-convention judging deadline.
5. Organize the song writing display at the convention.
RULES:
1. The participant will compose both melody and words for an original song.
2. Harmony is not required, although proper harmonic chords may enhance the composition. A melody only composition will not have deductions for not trying to write the harmony. However, improper harmonic chords may result in a deduction.
3. More than one person may work on a composition, but the grade category in which they will be judged will be the grade of the oldest person doing the work. If more than one person works on a composition, they must all be in grades 3-12 (in other words, no adults may write the words or the music for the youth).
4. Submission requirements are based on the age category in which the song is submitted. All submissions in Grades 7-12 categories must be done on staff paper in standard musical notation. The submission may be done by hand or with the aid of a computer program.
Grades 3-6 categories may submit just a vocal recording of the song and do not need to include a submission in written form. Although it is not required for the Grades 3-6 categories, participants in these categories may submit songs in written form if they desire.
5. Participants in any age group may submit a vocal recording of the song (in audio cassette tape or Compact Disc form), sung by the participants themselves to help the judges determine the intent of the songwriter.
6. There are two grade categories for the event: Grades 3 – 6, Grades 7-12. Judges should consider age differences when evaluating.
SUBMISSION:
1. Four copies of the song (in written or recorded form, based on the age category
requirements listed above) and one cover sheet (see pg. 21) are to be sent to the Song Writing Event Director (see pg. 20). If recorded copies are submitted, please submit a total of 4 tapes or 4 Compact Discs.
2. To guarantee anonymity during judging, neither names of participants, nor the name or geographic location of the congregation may be identified on the song. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a penalty.
AWARDS:
1. There will be three Judges. Comment sheets will be provided for each participant in the Take Home Packet. An award rating will be assigned based upon the three Judges scores on a 5 point scale:
5 = Excellent, 4 = Good, 3 = Average, 2 = Below Average, 1 = Needs work
2. Participants will be assigned a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation Rating based upon the judges scores and will receive an appropriate-colored engraved plate for the individual’s award plaque.