Announcing The Inaugural Connecticut Folk Festival Song Competition

CT Folk announces our 2010 Song Competition, a new component of the Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo. Enter your music for a chance to perform at this year?s event!

Five singer-songwriters will be selected as Finalists, and will be invited to perform their work at this year?s festivities on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Edgerton Park in New Haven, CT. The winner of the competition will receive a $100 award and share the stage with our Main Stage lineup with their 2 winning songs. The Main Stage lineup is Nanci Griffith, Susan Werner, Gandolf Murphy, Lara Herscovitch and the Kerry Boys.

To enter, follow these guidelines:

1. Solo or Duo Singer-Songwriters are invited to submit original songs.
2. Songs may be published or recorded, provided that the publication/recording date is after January 1, 2009.
3. Each song entered should not exceed 4 minutes.
4. Writers retain all rights to the songs.
5. All entries exclusively via SonicBids. CLICK HERE TO ENTER. (SonicBids Free Trial membership is available, if you do not already have an EPK.)
6. Entry Fees: $15 for the first 2 songs, $10 for each additional. Minimum entry requirement of 2 songs.
7. CT Folk Board members, staff, and family are not eligible to enter.
8. Song requirements: remember that we're looking for the quality of the song and the quality of the performance. The recording quality for the submission is not our focus; we do not expect/require a professional recording.

Submission Period: March 1, 2010 - July 1, 2010. Finalists will be notified by July 30. Finalists are expected to perform on Saturday, September 11, 2010 and are responsible for their own hospitality, travel, and lodging if necessary. Two tickets to the Main Stage performance at the CT Folk Festival and Green Expo will be provided to each finalist.

Please do not enter if you cannot fulfill the performance requirements.

FAQs

1. Why do I have to use SonicBids?
   SonicBids is the easiest, most streamlined way to send your music to us for review. If you do not already have a SonicBids EPK, you can take advantage of a free trial to create one. Click here to get started.
    
2. Why do I have to pay a submission fee?
   CTFolk is a grassroots, Non-Profit Organization run primarily by volunteers. To cover the costs of the Song Competition awards, marketing, and other related expenses, we're asking for a small submission fee from all participants.
    
3. Why do I have to submit at least 2 songs?
   The 5 Finalists will each be invited to play 2 songs at the 2010 CT Folk Festival & Green Expo. Plus, the submission of a minimum of 2 songs gives CTFolk a better idea of your songwriting skills.
    
4. Who are the judges?
   A sub-committee of the CTFolk Board of Directors will serve as judges for the contest. The Board is made up of New Haven-area folk music fans, DJs, presenters, and even a former Connecticut State Troubadour.
    
5. I am a songwriter, but not a performer. Can I submit a song I wrote that my friend recorded?
   Yes! But both artists (you and the performer) must be listed as collaborators on the piece. Please note that should your team be selected as a Finalist, you will still only receive 2 tickets to the Festival.
    
6. I only have an audience recording of my songs that a friend made at the last open mic where I performed them. Is this ok to submit?
   Yes! Again, our focus is on the quality of the songwriting and your performance, not of the recording itself.
    
7. Who else is playing on the Main Stage?
   Nanci Griffith, Susan Werner, Gandolf Murphy, Lara Herscovitch and the Kerry Boys.
    
8. I have a question not addressed here.
   Please contact us.
    

View highlights of the 2008 CT Folk Festival and Green Expo: