International Songwriting Competition accepting submissions

Musicians, composers and songwriters now have the opportunity to have their lyrics heard on a world stage.

The 12th annual 2013 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now accepting submissions from aspiring and established songwriters from around the world whose work will be judged at an international level.

The ISC is an annual song contest designed to nurture and promote the talent of songwriters of all levels and promote musical excellence in the field of songwriting, according to the press release.

This year, 65 winners will receive honors, cash prizes and professional exposure in the music industry for their work.

Judges of the competition include famous names such as Tom Waits, Keane, Selena Gomez, NAS, The Cure, Brian Setzer and Avicii, among other top industry names from many different genres.

Applicants are encouraged to apply by midnight July 15 for Early Bird submissions, but all entries may be submitted by the final deadline of midnight Sept. 18.

Contest entrants are able to submit their work in a number of different formats.

Entries submitted by postal mail, the ISC online platform, media platforms such as Sonicbids, Broadjam, ReverbNation and other online streaming sites will be accepted.

The contest features multiple categories including adult album alternative, adult contemporary, Americana, blues, children’s music, comedy/novelty, country, dance/electronica, folk/singer-songwriter, gospel/Christian, instrumental, jazz, Latin, lyrics only, music video, performance, pop/Top 40, R&B/hip-hop, rock, teen, world music and unsigned only.

Contest hopefuls may submit as many songs as they wish in any category or multiple categories.

The grand prize of $25,000 cash and promotional song marketing assistance has been confirmed on the ISC website.

First place, second place, third place and People’s Voice winners’ prizes are to be announced.

— Amanda Jacobson