Call for entries: Music sync competition in the US

The contest seeks to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to connect directly with music licensing professionals from MTV, ABC, Position Music, Pop-Up Music and more.

Ten finalists will have their songs made available to over 1 000 industry licensing contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects. Previous winners include Jordan Richman and Night Argent from the US, and Wes Mason and Madison Olds from Canada.

“Music licensing has become one of the best ways for an artist to get more exposure and more revenue for their music,” ISC director of marketing Shane Whalen told Music In Africa. 

“Getting your music placed in films, video games, TV shows and other licensing avenues pays you an upfront fee and, depending on where and how often the track is played, can also get you paid continued royalties. In other words, any time a song is synched to picture, it will command a synchronisation fee.”

The application deadline is 11 December 2020. 

Participants of any age can submit entries in the following categories:

• Adult Album Alternative (AAA)
• Adult Contemporary (AC)
• Americana
• Blues
• Children’s Music
• Christian
• Comedy/Novelty
• Country
• Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
• Folk/Singer-songwriter
• Instrumental
• Jazz
• Latin Music
• Lyrics Only
• Music Video
• Performance
• Pop/Top 40
• R&B/Hip Hop
• Rock
• Teen
• Unpublished
• Unsigned Only
• World Music

How to apply 

Before completing the application form, entrants must:

• Pay $35 for every song submitted.
• Ensure that the song is not tied to any existing licensing or publishing agreements.

The winners will be awarded based on:

• Creativity.
• Originality.
• Lyrics (excludes songs that do not have lyrics).
• Melody.
• Arrangement.
• Overall likeability.
• Vocal ability.

View the original call here.