Songwriting contests have also been a way to discover and recognise musical talent of all types and from every corner of the globe. Such contests are the opportunity for songwriters to be seen in a new way and are usually a way for budding performers to connect with the professional world of music. The benefit of participating in these contests is the recognition but also the invaluable feedback they receive from industry experts, so they can hone their art and expand their creative mind. This affects the lives of many and is what happens when this happens because it’s usually the first stage to get most songwriters started and get them in front of audiences.
The greatest good of songwriting contests is that they highlight new music. These competitions give music its diversity by making it a venue where the creative mind can shine. This exposure can sway your career with record deals, collaborations with well-known artists, or appearances at big venues. In the eyes of many, the exposure from these competitions can be a good springboard into professional development.
Songwriting competitions, for example, tend to push contestants far beyond their comfort zone. Judges promote songwriters to go above and beyond through consideration of such things as novelty, lyrical weight, melody and arrangements. That focus on quality makes sure the songs commemorated by these celebrations hit the mark with the industry and public alike. The structured commentary from professional judges, which often points out what is working and what can be improved, has been a learning curve for people.
Songwriting contests are usually organised by explicit rules of submission: subject matter, limit of length, or minimum instrumentation. These criteria motivate people to go outside their comfort zones but to work within a set of frameworks. It is only by learning to operate within these boundaries that a songwriter will be better able to marry creativity with control. Also, a lot of contests need a quality song or edgy lyrics, so that encourages people to up their production and presentation.
Songwriting contests are now spread across the world and they can now be done on-line with incredible growth. Digital entry and online selection had decentralised geography so songwriters who reside far flung could enter as much as those in big cities. This inclusivity has made the talent pool bigger and the voices a little wider. Voting online and social media campaigning for a lot of these competitions have also made them more interactive and communal in nature.
To win or place in a songwriting competition opens access to a professional network that you otherwise couldn’t reach. They’re often introduced to producers, managers and other music business people. Even if you don’t go home with a trophy, getting ready for and competing in these contests generally leaves you with tidy portfolios and increased self-confidence. Connective opportunities for songwriters at events that coincide with these contests are abundant — songwriters get to know fellow songwriters and mentors who care about the same stuff as you.
Songwriting contest money can also aid artists immensely. Almost all contests provide cash prizes, recording gear or studio time, so it is really an affordable way to afford music. These tools let songwriters get back to what they do best when limited resources aren’t an issue. Such prizes often become a source of support for new artists, a way of living.
Songwriting contests are a place of competition and resilience. You’ve got to accept and reject, and get into a mindset that values hard work and commitment. These qualities are needed in the music industry, where things happen fast and winning is never guaranteed. The lessons they teach songwriters are invaluable, which is what will prepare them for the future.
Songwriting competitions don’t just impact music. They also tend to be socially symbolic because so many contests are all about narrative and emotional connection. The participants often take material from their lives, from the news or from the human spirit, making songs that resonate with audiences. It is this music’s capacity for communication that speaks to the longstanding influence of songwriting as an art.
Songwriting contests, after all, are about more than fame – they are about experimentation and the development of the artist. They enable musicians to risk their careers, be themselves, and work on their craft under an unpredictable environment. These contests are still part of the joys of music for anyone – new or old — who wants to be a songwriter, for what they’re worth and for the pure satisfaction of writing something worthwhile.