All professional and amateur songwriters are invited to enter the Cotton District Arts Festival Songwriter’s Competition sponsored by McReynolds’ Orthodontics. In addition to the festival’s traditional arts, music, dance, literature and culinary treats, songwriters can submit their original work, for a chance to have their material played on the CVB main stage on the day of the festival in Starkville April of 2013.
Music has always been a significant part of the Cotton District Arts Festival, which draws tens of thousands to Starkville’s historic Cotton District each year. In keeping with the festival’s tradition of strong competitions, the third annual Songwriter’s Competition is a chance for amateur and professional artists to be recognized publicly for their artistic ability in this genre. Committee Chair Dr. James Sobaskie and his team of judges look forward to finding the “best of the best” from a large variety of entries from all over the United States and beyond.
Songs submitted in the competition will be judged on originality, melody, composition, structure and lyrics. All genres of music will be accepted; the competition is open to all ages.
Deadline for entries is Jan. 15, 2013. Three winners will be announced on March 1, 2013. First, second and third place prizes will be $250 cash, $100 cash, and $75 cash, respectively. All winners will be given the opportunity to perform their song on the Cotton District Arts Festival CVB Main Stage. Performances by 2012 winners Kelsey Collins, Brinley Addington and Nash Street may be viewed at youtube.com/user/hollyshug?feature=em-share_video_user.
The Cotton District Arts Festival is presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council (SAAC). It is funded in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts and Starkville Convention and Business Bureau.
For more information about the Songwriter’s Competition, CDAF, volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, e-mail cdafestival@gmail or call the SAAC office at 662-324-3080.
The 2013 Cotton District Arts Festival Committee and SAAC appreciate the support of the following: Chalet Arts-Poster Competition, GSDP-Juried art, Kiwanis Club of Starkville-International Village, McReynolds Orthodontics-Songwriter’s Competition, OCH Regional Medical Center-5K Run, Starkville CVB-Main Stage, Starkville Main Street-University Drive gate.
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