A poetry and songwriting competition celebrating the creative heights that can only be achieved when artists are free to express themselves on any theme, subject or idea.
Submissions due: Friday, October 10, 2008 Winners Announced: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Contest Rules:
Contestants may express any theme in their entries. Each song or poem submitted must be the contestants original work.
Contest is open to poets and songwriters 16 years of age and older. Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental permission prior to entering.
Previous winners of First Amendment Writes are ineligible to participate.
Contestants may enter either the poetry or songwriting contest, but NOT both, and may submit only one poem or one song only.
All contestants must fill out an entry form and pay the $10.00 entry fee by cash or check (made payable to the Thomas Jefferson Center).
*Poetry contestants must include a poetry sheet, with their entry form. No name on the poetry sheet, just the poem and title.
*Songwriting contestants must include a written lyrics sheet and a recording of the song by CD, or tape.
Entries should be postmarked no later than October 10, 2008, and mailed to: Thomas Jefferson Center, 400 Worrell Dr., Charlottesville,VA 22911.
Judging for the contest will take place in two stages. Those making it to the second round will be required to read or perform their work at the Gravity Lounge in Charlottesville on the evening of Tuesday, October 21, 2008. The winning submission in both the poetry and songwriting contests will be chosen that evening by poet Rita Dove, music industry executive Bruce Flohr and other judges to be named later.
This contest is co-sponsored by the Music Resource Center, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, and WCNR 106.1 FM The Corner. Employees of these organizations are not eligible for the competition.
By entering the contest, contestants give permission to the sponsoring organizations to read, play, display, or otherwise publicize the content of their contest submissions.
For more information, visit www.tjcenter.org/writes or call the Thomas Jefferson Center at 434.295-4784.
Filed under: charlottesville, contests, music, virginia, writing Tagged: | free speech, lyrics, Music Resource Center, poetry, songwriting, teens, Thomas Jefferson Center
