K-12 Songwriting Competition

The K-12 Songwriting Competition offers southern Arizona students in grades K-12 the unique opportunity to write and submit original songs as they compete for a chance to perform their songs during the Tucson Desert Song Festival.

Eligibility

• Students in grades K-12
• Southern Arizona residents

Program Details

• Students submit their lyrics and a recording of their original piece
• A panel of judges selects finalists to perform at the annual "Songwriting Showcase"
• Finalists compete for cash prizes and scholarship opportunities

Showcase Event

• Event Name: Songwriting Showcase
• Format: Selected finalists perform their original songs
• Prizes: Cash prizes and scholarship opportunities awarded to winners

Contact Information

• Phone: 1-888-546-3305 (ask for Songwriting Competition info)

Application Process

1. Write an original song with lyrics
2. Record your song as an MP3 file
3. Submit via online form with the following information:
   • Student's name (first and last)
   • Student's email
   • Student's age
   • Student's grade
   • Parent/Legal guardian name, phone, and email
   • School music teacher name and email (if applicable)
   • Private music teacher name and email (if applicable)
   • Song title
   • Instrumentation (e.g., solo voice, voice and piano, etc.)
   • Performance plan (will student perform their own work or need musicians?)
   • Song lyrics (as document attachment)
   • Audio file (MP3) or YouTube link

Recording Requirements

• Format: MP3 only
• File naming: Title your MP3 with SONG TITLE ONLY (no student names)
• Maximum file size: 1 GB
• Recording methods:
  • Smart phone recording app
  • Record video, upload to YouTube, convert to MP3 using free YouTube to MP3 converter
  • Record directly on computer using microphone and audio software
• Singer: The person submitting the song does not need to be the singer who performs in the showcase

File Submissions

• Song Lyrics: Accepted formats: doc, docx, pdf, pages, txt, rtf (max 1 GB)
• Audio File: MP3 format only (max 1 GB)
• YouTube Link: Accepted as alternative to MP3

Musician Support

• If musicians are needed: List of available musicians from Fred Fox School of Music can be provided, or students can arrange their own musicians