RULES

GENERAL (apply to all sections)

2. There is a limit of one song per songwriter in the live section only. There is no limit on the number of entries in the Studio, Demo or Lyrics sections but each song must be accompanied by an Entry Form correctly completed with the correct entry fee. Collaborators may also enter individually penned songs in conformity with this rule. The same song may not be entered in more than ONE section.

3. Songs must be original and the entrant must sign the copyright declaration on the entry form. The entrant agrees to indemnify the organisers of the competition from any copyright claims which might arise from infringement of copyright laws. Winning songwriters must also agree to enter into a specific agreement with SCALA for the recording and use of their song on CD.

4. Songs must not be previously recorded for commercial distribution or radio airplay (including independent release), published, subject to recording or publishing agreements or have won prizes in other competitions (see note in FOOM FAQ). Entrants must make their own arrangements (at their expense) to take advantage of any prizes won from this competition and entrants living outside South Australia are STRONGLY advised to consider entering only the Studio (open), Studio (instrumental) or Lyrics Sections. SCALA reserves the right to impose any conditions on recording as it sees fit.

5. Except in the Lyric Section, Songs or Music should be no more than 6 minutes long. In taking up recording and CD prizes entrants must agree to meet any costs above the value of prizes offered if completed recordings of songs are longer than 6 minutes.

6. The songwriter can nominate another person or persons to perform the song. The songwriter of a winning song is responsible for organising suitable musicians to record the song.

7. An entry form must accompany each song (photocopied forms are acceptable). The entry form must be completed and posted to the Songwriters, Composers And Lyricists Association Inc. (SCALA) with:

• TWO COPIES OF THE LYRICS of the song entered (on A4, Letter or similar size paper - preferably typed);
• (in the Demo category) a CD-R containing the songs entered (if multiple songs are submitted they should be on the same CD-R provided that an accurate track listing is provided and the length of each track is shown);
• (in the Studio categories) a CD-R containing the songs entered (if multiple songs are submitted they should be on the same CD-R provided that an accurate track listing is provided and songs are correctly ID-ed);
• a FEE of $25-00 per song entered. Entry for financial SCALA members is $15 for the first song entered then $10/entry for subsequent songs. Entry Fees are not refundable. SCALA membership is $25 per year - $30 outside Australia (January to December or July to June). Note that with co-written songs all collaborators need to be financial members (one person must be a Full member [$25], the rest can be Associates[$5 ea]);

by the due date, Saturday, 4th July 2009. NOTE that entries must be RECEIVED by this date. LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

8. All Lyrics and CDs MUST be clearly marked with the name of the SONG and the SONGWRITER and the SECTION entered. We URGE entrants posting CDs to NOT enclose them in jewel cases but to use CD envelopes instead - see FAQ. Songwriters should also include a standard copyright declaration on all CD-Rs and lyrics (eg Copyright © Jack and Jill Hill 2009). Material will not be returned unless adequate return postage and packaging is included with the entry. DO NOT send CD-Rs for songs entered in the LIVE PERFORMANCE SECTION.

9. Except in the Studio section (see specific rule for that section), the judges are instructed to judge the quality of the song in preference to quality of performance, instrumentation and presentation. Judges reserve the right to not choose a winning song in a section if, in their view, there is insufficient overall quality in that section. The judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. The competition organisers reserve the right to interpret these rules as they see fit and these interpretations are final.

LIVE PERFORMANCE SECTION
10. Live performance heats will be held at SCALA's Performance Venue at The Joiners Arms Hotel, 9 Manton Street, Hindmarsh, SA on on Saturday nights in August 2009 - commencing at 9:15pm. SCALA will determine the number of heats depending on the number of entries received. Finalists will be selected from each heat with the finalists judged in performance on the evening of Tuesday, 1st September 2009 at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Port Road, Hindmarsh (commencing at 7.30pm). Entrants in this section must be available to perform their songs (or have arranged someone else to perform the song) on any of these dates. Entrants will receive a letter informing them of their heat in July. Entrants in each heat and in the final must also comply with registration and running order instructions of the organisers.

11. Entries will be judged in performance on each evening of the competition. There will be no prejudging for the heats.

12. For staging reasons there is a maximum of TWO performers on stage per song. Each performer may play any number of instruments and there is no restriction on multivoice keyboards, loop devices or MIDI equipment but any equipment used must be set up within the time limits outlined in rule 13. Full drum kits and elaborate keyboard/synthesizer instrumentations are NOT recommended because of the time taken to set up. Excessive instrumentation is not encouraged (see rule 9). Backing tapes must not be used. Songwriters with backing tapes should consider entering the Demo Tape or Studio sections.

13. Performers have a six and a half minute limit in which to perform their songs including any introduction and setup.

DEMO SECTIONS (Open and Instrumental)
14. Recordings can be "home recording" or "demo" quality. There is no limit on the number of performers or instruments used on the recording. The length of the song (in minutes and seconds) must be included on the entry form. Please use CD-R (for preference) or a high quality tape with an audible recording. Multiple entries should be on the one CD clearly identified with a track list. Entries in the Instrumental section will not have lyrics! These sections will be prejudged and, subject to these conditions, the winner/s announced at the Live Performance Final on Tuesday, 1st September 2009 at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel..

STUDIO SECTIONS (Open and Instrumental)
15. Studio recordings must be owned by the copyright owner of the song who can give permission for their use by SCALA.

16. Entries must be professionally recorded to commercial CD/radio airplay quality, unsigned and unreleased. There is no limit on the number of performers or instruments used on the recording. Entries must be submitted (correctly ID-ed) on CD-R. DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL CD-R. Multiple entries should be on the one CD clearly identified with a track list. This section will be prejudged. The judges will be asked to judge the quality of the recording, musicianship and presentation of the song as well as the merits of the song but the quality of the song will have greater weight. Entries in the Instrumental section will not have lyrics! Subject to these conditions the winner/s will be announced at the Live Performance Final on Tuesday, 1st September 2009 at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.

LYRICS ONLY SECTION
17. Lyrics must be original and must be presented on A4 or Letter (or similar) sized paper preferably typed. This section will be prejudged and, subject to these conditions, the winner/s announced at the Live Performance Final on Tuesday, 1st September 2009 at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel..

SCALA (Songwriters, Composers And Lyricists Association) was formed in 1987 to encourage songwriters, composers and lyricists of any style of original music. It runs a weekly venue and weekly radio programme showcasing original music. It has run the Songwriters Event since 1988 and has run the SCALA Festival of Original Music Song Competition annually since 1994. All competitions which SCALA is involved in have recording and commercial release outcomes.

Prize List Summary
Live
Recording for CD; CD release; 5 copies of CD; 12 months SCALA membership; 12 months Song Central membership

Demo sections: As above

Studio sections
20 copies of CD; CD release; 12 months SCALA membership; 12 months Song Central membership

Lyric section (Open and Under 18)
$100-00 cash; 12 months SCALA membership; 12 months Song Central membership; Lyrics printed in SCALA News.

Minor prizes might also be awarded

SCALA FESTIVAL OF ORIGINAL MUSIC

SONG COMPETITION and CD RELEASE 2009 ENTRY FORM
Print this out, fill it in and send it with the appropriate fee, lyrics and (where required) CD-R.

NAME ...................................................................................

ADDRESS ....................................................................................

..................................................................................................... POSTCODE ......................

PHONE

(Home) ............................................................

(Work) ............................................................

(Email) .............................................................

NAME OF SONG

.....................................................................................

SECTION ENTERED: (circle relevant section)

(..Live../..Demo (open)../..Demo (instrumental../..Studio (open)../..Studio (instrumental)../..LyricsOnly../)

.......................................................................

Declaration: I/we affirm that I/we am/are the copyright owner/s of the song named above and the lyrics of which are attached. I/we have read and accept the rules of this competition.

SIGNED

..........................................................................

........................................................................

Have you included?(Please circle where relevant):

Two copies of the lyrics [...YES.../...NO...]

CD-R (not in LIVE section)

$25-00 per song entry fee [...YES.../...NO...]

(SCALA members* pay $15 for the first entry, $10/entry thereafter).

I am a financial SCALA member [...YES.../...NO...]

*SCALA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
(Yes you can join SCALA at the same time as you enter and pay member entry fees!)

include $25-00 membership fee ($30 outside Australia) to join SCALA for 2009/10 (July 2009 - June 2010)

NOTE: Payments can be made through Paypal (scroll down) but entrants will still need to complete an Entry form for each song entered and post this to SCALA with (where relevant) copies of Lyrics and CDs.

How did you hear about FOOM? .................................

Songwriters, Composers And Lyricists Association Inc. (SCALA)
Box 980
Blackwood
South Australia 5051
Phone: (08) 8278 8339 Australia
(618) 8278 8339 International