Guidelines

• Submissions must include three original songs.
• All lyrics and melody must be composed by you, with you singing the lead vocal.
• Video entries only. (Applications without video files will be considered incomplete submissions.)
• Each song must have accompanying lyric sheets with song title and songwriter's name on each song. (Submissions not including lyrics will be considered incomplete.)
• Video and audio quality need to be good enough for judges to conduct informed evaluations. Make sure we can see you and hear you!
• On each song’s recording, do not say your name, nor the song’s title, nor any other intro. Just record the song itself.
• We accept solo or duo submissions only. Your video entry must be representative of how your song(s) would be performed should you make the finals. (Examples: Do not submit a video of you performing with your band. If you submit as a duo, you must perform as a duo.)
• No performance may include recorded sound or live-played “loops.”
• Video format options: mp4 download, smartphone video, YouTube link, or Vimeo link. If your file size is too big, we recommend you upload to Google Drive.
• Preferred format for video and lyric sheet entries is to paste links in the online entry form. Use links from a cloud such as Google Drive (preferred) or Dropbox.
• Do NOT copy/paste your lyrics into the Google Form. If you are having trouble, you can email your lyrics to songwriter@acornlive.org. Include TITLE and NAME OF SONGWRITER.
• The use of AI is strictly prohibited. AI may NOT be used to compose any lyric or melody, nor for any aspect of your performance.
• Travel to The Acorn is the responsibility of the performers.
• Previous Finalists in The Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition are not eligible to compete for three years. Previous First place winners are not eligible to compete.

How It Works

• Submissions are evaluated on song structure, lyrics, musicality, overall appeal, and the ability of the performer to sustain a full length show.
• The top six finalists are chosen from the pool of submissions. Those six semi-finalists compete at the Singer-Songwriter Competition Finals, Saturday July 18th, 7pm ET, in front of a panel of prestigious judges and Acorn patrons.
• Finalists will perform their winning entry (chosen by our selection jury) and one other song from their submission in the first round. The panel of judges then narrows down to three Top Finalists.
• The top three perform another original song. The audience votes to determine the winner.

Prizes

• Winner to receive $1,200, 2nd place/Runner-up $500, 3rd place $350, remaining 3 Finalists given $150.
• Finalists will also receive a video recording of their performance at The Acorn.
• Finalists are considered for other Acorn shows and recommended for other area events.

Questions?

Please read our FAQs for more information, or if you have any questions! If you still need assistance or have questions that aren’t answered there, email songwriter@acornlive.org