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

Songs are judged anonymously - all songs submitted will be given a unique identification number and any personal identifiers (ie. band or songwriter name) removed from materials & media prior to the songs being offered to judging panels. This helps remove as much bias from the judging process as possible, to focus on quality of the songwriting - not the presentation, popularity, production or personnel on/of the recording.



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, 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.

VARIATIONS TO THE GUIDELINES

Instrumentals (all categories):- For instrumental tracks only, the score will be made up of:
- 33% Melody
- 33% Structure
- 34% Appeal.

Jazz: For jazz tracks, the score will be made up of:-
- 20% Lyrics
- 20% Melody
- 20% Song structure
- 20% Harmonic and rhythmic structure
- 20% Appeal.

For jazz instrumental tracks, the score will be made up of:-
- 25% Melody
- 25% Song structure
- 25% Harmonic and rhythmic structure
- 25% Appeal.

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.

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

Songs are judged anonymously - all songs submitted will be given a unique identification number and any personal identifiers (ie. band or songwriter name) removed from materials & media prior to the songs being offered to judging panels. This helps remove as much bias from the judging process as possible, to focus on quality of the songwriting - not the presentation, popularity, production or personnel on/of the recording.



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, 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.

VARIATIONS TO THE GUIDELINES

Instrumentals (all categories):- For instrumental tracks only, the score will be made up of:
- 33% Melody
- 33% Structure
- 34% Appeal.

Jazz: For jazz tracks, the score will be made up of:-
- 20% Lyrics
- 20% Melody
- 20% Song structure
- 20% Harmonic and rhythmic structure
- 20% Appeal.

For jazz instrumental tracks, the score will be made up of:-
- 25% Melody
- 25% Song structure
- 25% Harmonic and rhythmic structure
- 25% Appeal.

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.