Songwriters, Composers And Lyricists Association

SCALA FOOM Song Competition

SCALA's FOOM Song Competition


SCALA started its Festival of Original Music Song Competition (FOOM) in 1994 with three sections - Live, Demo and Master. It added Master Instrumental, Manuscript and Lyrics Only Sections in 1995 retaining just the Lyrics section in the Competitions from 1996 to 1999. In 2000 we reintroduced Master Instrumental and added Demo Instrumental in 2002. In 2007 and 2008 we had a Lyrics Only Under 18 Section. The Master sections were renamed "Studio" in 2008 to avoid confusion between studio recordings (which might or might not be mastered) and mastered recordings.

Entries in FOOM have increased almost every year with songs and lyrics from USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Scandanavia, as well as all states and mainland territories of Australia, received since 1996.


FOOM 2011

2 September 2011
We hope to be able to send feedback sheets to all entrants over the next 2 weeks.

Further FOOM Information
Songs are judged by panels typically consisting of a male and a female music professional. Judges are asked to complete a feedback sheet for all entrants. Feedback sheets contain a scale (with explanation) plus space for judges to provide constructive comments on each song as they see fit. Some panels provide combined comments. Whilst we encourage judges to provide feedback they are under no obligation to do so (but most judges do provide some feedback). Feedback sheets are returned (along with lyrics) to each entrant. Entrants are reminded that any such feedback represents only the view of the individual judges and usually is offered as a general guide only.

Winning songs from the Live and Demo sections are re-recorded in professional studios and, with winning Studio section recordings, are mastered for release on albums forming part of the SCALA CD Collection. Beginning with SCALA Another Lesson In Love, SCALA's albums are available as commercial downloads as well as on CD.

Who Supports FOOM?
Judging panels are usually formed each year from about two dozen music industry personnel. Generally each judge has at least 10 years experience in the music industry (most have considerably more years of experience) and may be actively involved in the music industry. Judges may also have won competitions in their own right and may have published material or conducted workshops or training sessions about the songwriting, composing or lyricwriting process.

Sponsors
FOOM is supported by the following organisations without which the song competition and the subsequent CD/commercial download (containing the winning songs) would not be possible:

Updated 2 September 2011

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