For the purpose of making the process of judging over 1000 entries as transparent as possible to you, the songwriter, and to provide tips on how to improve your songwriting, we have included the Judging Guidelines used by the independent judging panels.





The total score is out of 100. This is made up of:

- 25% lyrics
- 25% melody
- 25% structure
- 25% appeal

In some categories there may be a need to alter this for some songs, eg. where instrumentals are common. Refer to “Variations to the Guidelines” below.

Some basic points to help with the above:

Lyrics
- Is the storytelling interesting and not confusing?
- Is the title or hook memorable?
- Are the rhymes too predictable?
- Are the lyrics too repetitive?
- Is there consistency in use of metaphors, point-of-view and tense etc?
- Is the use of words efficient? Or wasteful?

Melody
- Is there a memorable musical hook? Is it placed appropriately?
- Does the melody suit/fit the lyrics?
- Do the rhythm and tempo set an appropriate mood?
- Are there effective, clear changes between parts?
- Does the melody build into the chorus?

Structure
- Does the structure create interest?
- Does the song have an understanding of form (chorus, verse, bridge etc)?
- Does the length of intro, break, outro and whole song feel appropriate?

Appeal
- Has a unique or fresh approach been applied?
- Is the message powerful?
- Does the song generate emotion?
- Is the theme universal?
- It’s also worth noting that this competition is targeted towards offering career opportunities for songwriters. Broad appeal, within the context of the category being judged (ie. a jazz song should appeal in a jazz context, not necessarily mainstream radio etc), is therefore a crucial component of the winning entries.

OTHER POINTS

Conflict of Interest:
Judges should be aware that they may hear an entry where their opinion may be compromised due to a conflict of interest. Judges are informed that a conflict of interest exists in the case that they would personally benefit should the entry in question win the category or, conversely if they would personally benefit should the song score badly. This extends to benefit derived by immediate family. Judges are asked to inform the panel and abstain from judging that particular entry.

Recording Quality:
The recording quality / production of an entry is irrelevant. Of course, the recording must at least be of sufficient quality that the elements of the song are audibly discernible.

Variations to the Guidelines:
In each category a discussion was held with the judging panel prior to the commencement of judging. In the cases below it was deemed that there was a variation required to the judging criteria.

Jazz Category
As a significant number of Jazz entries were instrumental, it was agreed that the 25% score usually allocated to lyrics would be assessed on the basis of harmonic and rhythmic structure, for instrumental tracks only. Lyric based entries were assessed as per the standard judging criteria.

Electronic / Dance Category
It was agreed that the lyric criteria would not be assessed, with a 50% score therefore allocated to a technical assessment of the music. Where there was significant lyric content, this was simply incorporated into the scoring of this 50%.

Instrumentals (all categories)
In general instrumentals received a score based on 50% or the overall score for the music content.

For the purpose of making the process of judging over 1000 entries as transparent as possible to you, the songwriter, and to provide tips on how to improve your songwriting, we have included the Judging Guidelines used by the independent judging panels.





The total score is out of 100. This is made up of:

- 25% lyrics
- 25% melody
- 25% structure
- 25% appeal

In some categories there may be a need to alter this for some songs, eg. where instrumentals are common. Refer to “Variations to the Guidelines” below.

Some basic points to help with the above:

Lyrics
- Is the storytelling interesting and not confusing?
- Is the title or hook memorable?
- Are the rhymes too predictable?
- Are the lyrics too repetitive?
- Is there consistency in use of metaphors, point-of-view and tense etc?
- Is the use of words efficient? Or wasteful?

Melody
- Is there a memorable musical hook? Is it placed appropriately?
- Does the melody suit/fit the lyrics?
- Do the rhythm and tempo set an appropriate mood?
- Are there effective, clear changes between parts?
- Does the melody build into the chorus?

Structure
- Does the structure create interest?
- Does the song have an understanding of form (chorus, verse, bridge etc)?
- Does the length of intro, break, outro and whole song feel appropriate?

Appeal
- Has a unique or fresh approach been applied?
- Is the message powerful?
- Does the song generate emotion?
- Is the theme universal?
- It’s also worth noting that this competition is targeted towards offering career opportunities for songwriters. Broad appeal, within the context of the category being judged (ie. a jazz song should appeal in a jazz context, not necessarily mainstream radio etc), is therefore a crucial component of the winning entries.

OTHER POINTS

Conflict of Interest:
Judges should be aware that they may hear an entry where their opinion may be compromised due to a conflict of interest. Judges are informed that a conflict of interest exists in the case that they would personally benefit should the entry in question win the category or, conversely if they would personally benefit should the song score badly. This extends to benefit derived by immediate family. Judges are asked to inform the panel and abstain from judging that particular entry.

Recording Quality:
The recording quality / production of an entry is irrelevant. Of course, the recording must at least be of sufficient quality that the elements of the song are audibly discernible.

Variations to the Guidelines:
In each category a discussion was held with the judging panel prior to the commencement of judging. In the cases below it was deemed that there was a variation required to the judging criteria.

Jazz Category
As a significant number of Jazz entries were instrumental, it was agreed that the 25% score usually allocated to lyrics would be assessed on the basis of harmonic and rhythmic structure, for instrumental tracks only. Lyric based entries were assessed as per the standard judging criteria.

Electronic / Dance Category
It was agreed that the lyric criteria would not be assessed, with a 50% score therefore allocated to a technical assessment of the music. Where there was significant lyric content, this was simply incorporated into the scoring of this 50%.

Instrumentals (all categories)
In general instrumentals received a score based on 50% or the overall score for the music content.