enter your love songs and social causes songs
November 10, 2024

Have you written a powerful Love Song or a song that champions a Social Cause? Now’s your chance to showcase your music and win incredible prizes! Enter here.

ISC is excited to announce the Love Songs & Social Causes Promotion, open now through November 20, 2024. This is your opportunity to enter and take home some of our most coveted prizes yet! One overall winner from each promotion will receive:

One MTP W950 microphone from Lewitt Audio
One V-Collection 10 Software Plug-In Bundle from Arturia
One $100 Gift Card from Sweetwater.
One Pro subscription from Songbox

Please note: All promotion entrants will also be entered into ISC 2024 for the chance to share in over $200,000 in cash, prizes, recognition, and more. 

ENTER YOUR SONGS NOW
September 18, 2024

ISC is in its extended deadline period and is accepting entries. The entry fee is $35 per song or category. Click here to enter. 

Regular Deadline Approaching on September 18
August 28, 2024

ISC's regular deadline is approaching soon on September 18, 2024 (midnight CST). If you would like to enter this year’s competition or want to submit more songs, now is the time to enter your music and save on entry fees! 

Click here to enter.

Enter Your Songs Now
July 29, 2024

Enter your songs now for a chance to share in more than $200,000 in prizes and the opportunity to have your song(s) heard by ISC's iconic panel of judges.

It's very easy to enter. Either upload your song or tell where the song is online (YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, your website, etc), and we will listen to it there. Click here to enter.

sweet summer days special promotion is now open
July 16, 2024

ISC is thrilled to kick-off its 2024 Sweet Summer Days promotion, running from July 17-24! One overall promotion winner will receive a Mini-Fuse Recording Pack from Arturia, a set of KRK KNS8400 Headphones, an Extreme Bundle from Indie Bible, and 300 Groover credits for direct music submissions to playlist curators, radio stations, and industry experts. Additionally, two runners-up will each receive a set of KRK KNS8400 Headphones and 100 Groover credits.

Every song submission between July 17-24 will automatically qualify for this special promotion. All entries in the special promotion will also be entered into the overall 2024 ISC competition and be eligible for all category prizes in addition to the promotion prizes.

Click here to enter.

check out ISC's panel of judges
July 9, 2024

Click here to see the list of ISC's panel of judges. More judges are being added, so stay tuned!

early bird deadline approaching soon on Wednesday, july 3
June 30, 2024

The ISC Early Bird deadline is on Wednesday, July 3. The entry fee is only $25 per entry, so enter now to save $ on entry fees.  Click here to enter.

Enter Your Songs Now
May 15, 2024

Click here to enter for a chance to share in more than $150K in prizes!

$20 To Enter Ends Tonight At Midnight!
May 14, 2024

ISC's promotion Jump On It ends tonight at midnight! Enter now for ISC's lowest entry fee of the entire year - only $20 per entry. This is a great opportunity to enter and save on entry fees! Dn't miss out on this offer becuase it will never be this low again this year. Click here to enter. 

2023 ISC WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
May 6, 2024

ISC is pleased to announce the 2023 winners. Click here to view the list. You can also review all Special Promotion winners by clicking here.

Click here for a list of all prizes.

Entries are now open for 2023. Click here to enter. Congratulations to all winners, and a big thank you to all entrants!

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!
May 1, 2024

Winners for the 2023 International Songwriting Competition will be announced soon. Say tuned!

Vote Now For Your Favorite Song!
April 18, 2024

All finalists are also included in the People's Voice, an online voting contest that allows the public to listen to all the finalists' songs and vote for their favorite one once per day. People's Voice is separate from, and in addition to, the winners selected by ISC's judges. The song receiving the most votes will be crowned the People's Voice winner, winning lots of cool prizes and bragging rights. So vote now and make your voice heard! Voting will end at 11:59 PM (CST US) on Monday, April 22, 2024. Click here to vote.

ISC ANNOUNCES 2023 FINALISTS!
March 18, 2024

ISC has announced the 2023 finalists. Please click here for the complete list. Congratulations to all finalists!

Winners will be announced in late April or early May as soon as the judges complete the judging process. Winners for all special promotions (Jump On It, Sweet Summer Days, Demo Your Lyrics, Play MPE Promo, Art Of Booking, Love Songs & Social Causes, Screen Shot, and Stocking Stuffer) will be announced when ISC announces the overall competition winners.

All finalists' songs will also be posted online as part of The People's Voice which allows the public to listen to and vote for their favorite song. This public vote is in addition to, and completely separate from, the regular winners which are selected by the judges. Voting will be open from today until 11:59 PM CST (US) on April 22, 2024. We hope that you will listen to the songs and show your support for the finalists by voting for your favorite. To vote in the People's Voice, click here!

Entries are open for 2024. Click here to enter. Save on discounted Early Bird entry fees and enter now.

SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED NOW
March 3, 2024

ISC is pleased to announce its 2023 semi-finalists. Click here to see the complete list (sorted alphabetically by the songwriters' names).

Finalists will be selected from this group of semi-finalists and will be announced soon. The finalists will then be sent to our celebrity judges who will select the winners. Finalists and winners in all special promotions will be announced at the same time that regular winners are announced.

Semi-finalists account for almost 15% of all entries. Congratulations to all semi-finalists on this remarkable achievement!

Entries for ISC 2024 are now open at the Early Bird discounted rate of $25 per entry, so click here to enter your songs to save on entry fees.

SEMI-FINALISTS COMING SOON
February 18, 2024

Semi-Finalists will be announced in a couple of weeks, by the end of February or beginning of March. Finalists will be announced a couple of weeks afterward. Stay tuned!

Good luck to all entrants!

CHECK OUT ISC'S JUDGES!
January 15, 2024

Click here to see the complete list of ISC judges.

FINAL DEADLINE TO ENTER APPROACHING ON JANUARY 15
January 3, 2024

The final deadline to enter is soon approaching on January 15, 2024, so enter now! Click here to enter your songs. 

ISC'S STOCKING STUFFER PROMO OPEN NOW - $25 ENTRY FEE!
December 14, 2023

ISC's annual Stocking Stuffer promotion is now open unitl midnight on January 3, 2024. The discounted fee per entry is only $25 ($10 off the current entry fee).

Don't miss out on this opportunity to save some money and share your songs with ISC. Click here to enter.

One overall promotion winner will win a lot of cool prizes including:

• One $200 gift card from Sweetwater

• One International Bundle from our friends at Play MPE

• One Ultimate Indie Bible Bundle

• One Pro Subscription to Songbox

• One Connect 6 AD converter and one LCT 440 microphone from Lewitt Audio

• One V9 Collection from Arturia

Plus, 10 finalists' songs will also be sent to a list of approx. 1,000 music supervisors, music licensing companies, etc! 

All promotion entrants will also be entered into ISC 2023 for the chance to share in over $150,000 in cash, prizes, recognition, and more.  

SCREEN SHOT PROMOTION OPEN NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 11, 2023 – ENTER NOW
November 28, 2023

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is opening entries for its annual Screen Shot promotion, running now until December 11, 2023. This promotion is specifically looking for music in all styles and genres that is well-suited for placement in TV, film, ads, video games, and other licensing avenues. Placement in projects like these has become one of the best ways for artists to get more exposure and more revenue for their music. 

One overall Screen Shot winner will be selected by ISC and awarded mentor sessions with high-profile music supervisors who specialize in music placement. Additionally, the winner will be awarded one International Bundle from our friends at Play MPE, one Ultimate Indie Bible Bundle, and one Pro Subscription to Songbox.

Ten Screen Shot finalists will have their songs made available to over 1,000 industry licensing contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects.

Enter your songs by clicking here.

Please note: All entrants into this promotion will also be entered into ISC 2023 for the chance to share in over $150,000 in cash, prizes, recognition, and more.  All categories except for the Lyrics Only category can be entered into this promotion. If you would like to submit a song into Lyrics Only to be considered for the overall 2023 competition and prizes, you may also do so throughout this promotional period.

ENTER YOUR SONGS NOW
November 27, 2023

Click here to enter for a chance to share in more than $150K in prizes!

ENTER YOUR LOVE SONGS OR SOCIAL CAUSES SONGS
November 20, 2023

ISC  is running a special promotion for songs about love or social causes. Enter now to win some cool prizes and to have your songs also entered into the overall competition! Click here to enter.

ENTER YOUR SONGS NOW
September 21, 2023

ISC is in its extended deadline period and is accepting entries. The entry fee is $35 per song or category. Click here to enter.

Regular Deadline Extended to Midnight (CST) September 21
September 20, 2023

Due to popular demand, the International Songwriting Competition is extending its Regular Deadline ONE DAY to TONIGHT, September 21st, at midnight CST!

ould you like the chance to share in over $150,000 of prizes and get your music heard by Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Joe Hahn (Linkin Park), Reba McEntire, Jennifer Hudson, Tom Waits, Shooter Jennings, NEEDTOBREATHE, Gabby Barrett, Danilo Perez, Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Dubfire, Baaba Maal, Steven Curtis Chapman, and many more celebrity and music industry judges? Enter ISC now and save on entry fees before they increase.

Click here to enter.

ENTRIES ARE OPEN
July 26, 2023

Click here to enter ISC. We look forward to hearing your songs!

LAST DAY TO ENTER ISC'S SWEET SUMMER DAYS PROMOTION
July 25, 2023

ISC is excited to kick-off its 2023 Sweet Summer Days promotion, running from July 19-26! One overall promotion winner will receive an International Bundle from PlayMPE, a Mini-Fuse Recording Pack from Arturia, and an Ultimate Bundle from Indie Bible. Additionally, four runner-ups will receive one International Bundle from PlayMPE.

Every song submission between July 19-26 will automatically qualify for this special promotion. All entries in the special promotion will also be entered into the overall 2023 ISC competition and be eligible for all category prizes in addition to the promotion prizes. Click here to enter.

ENTER YOUR SONGS NOW
May 31, 2023

ISC is currently accepting entries. Click here to enter.

$20 ENTRY FEE FOR LIMITED TIME
May 10, 2023

Until May 15, we are offering our lowest entry fee of the year at only $20 per song submission. This is the perfect time to enter the competition, whether you're a returning songwriter or a new participant.

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to get the best value for the 2023 competition.  Click Here to enter.

ISC ANNOUNCES 2022 WINNERS
May 8, 2023

ISC is pleased to announce the 2022 winners. Click here to view the list. Congratulations to all winners, and a big thank you to all entrants! 

You can also review all Special Promotion winners by clicking here.

Entries are now open for 2023. Click here to enter.

ISC ANNOUNCES 2022 FINALISTS
March 20, 2023

ISC has announced the 2022 finalists. Please click here for the complete list. Congratulations to all finalists!

Winners will be announced in late April or early May as soon as the judges complete the judging process. Winners for all special promotions (Jump On It, Sweet Summer Days, Demo Your Lyrics, Promote Your Music Like The Pros, Art Of Booking, Love Songs & Social Causes, Screen Shot and Stocking Stuffer) will be announced when ISC announces the overall competition winners.

All finalists' songs will also be posted online as part of The People's Voice which allows the public to listen to and vote for their favorite song. This public vote is in addition to, and completely separate from, the regular winners which are selected by the judges. Voting will be open from today until April 20, 2023. We hope that you will listen to the songs and show your support for the finalists by voting for your favorite. To vote in the People's Voice,  Click here!

Entries are open for 2023. Click here to enter. Save on discounted Early Bird entry fees!

ISC ANNOUNCES 2022 SEMI-FINALISTS
February 28, 2023

ISC has announced the 2022 semi-finalists. Click here to check the complete list. Semi-finalists are listed alphabetically by songwriter. Congratulations to all semi-finalists, and we look forward to announcing finalists in the next couple of weeks!

ISC is now accepting entries for the 2023 competition. The Early Bird entry fee is only $25 until June 26, so enter now to save on entry fees. Click here to enter. We look forward to hearing your songs!

SEMI-FINALISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
February 26, 2023

Stay tuned for the announcement of ISC semi-finalists! All entrants will be emailed a link to the complete list.

CHECK OUT ISC'S JUDGES
February 1, 2023

ISC's judging panel includes a list of who's who in the music industry, both music artists and industry professionals. Check out the complete list here.

PICK A PROMO FOR 22 COMPETITION
January 9, 2023

ISC is reopening entries one last time for PICK A PROMO, running through January 12, 2023. This is your opportunity to enter your songs into any of our special promotions at $35 per entry; these entries will be included in the overall 2022 competition. Click here to enter your music. 

Promotions To Choose From:

• Art Of Booking
• Demo Your Lyrics
• Love Songs
• Promote Your Music Like The Pros
• Social Causes
• Screen Shot

Click Here To Learn More About Our Promotions

ISC's Annual Stocking Stuffer Promotion Now Open!
December 14, 2022

With the holiday season upon us, the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) would like to extend you a special offer! ISC is accepting submissions for its annual Stocking Stuffer promotion, running from December 14, 2022, to January 4, 2023. In the spirit of the holidays, the fee during this time is discounted to $25 per entry  ($10 OFF current entry fee)! Click here to enter your music.

One overall winner will receive:

• Octopus Pedal Tuner & Power Station from Ortega Guitars 
• V-Collection 9 Software Instrument Bundle from Arturia
• Global Promotion Distribution Campaign from Play MPE
• Pair of Custom In-Ear Monitors from Ultimate Ears Pro
• One Month Full-Service Package from BSquared MGMT
• LCT 440 Pure studio microphone from Lewitt Audio. 

All individuals who enter into this special promotion will also be entered into the overall 2022 competition year and qualify for the cash and prizes shared among winners worth over $150,000. Click here to take advantage of this offer.

Screen Shot Promotion Now Open
December 1, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is reopening entries for its annual Screen Shot promotion running December 1-12, 2022. This promotion is specifically looking for music in all styles and genres that is well-suited for placement in TV, film, ads, video games, and other licensing avenues. Placement in projects like these requires a 'music license' which ensures the copyright owners are compensated for certain uses of their musical work. Music licensing has become one of the best ways for artists to get more exposure and more revenue for their music. 

One overall Screen Shot winner will be selected by ISC and provided the opportunity to be mentored directly by a group of high-profile music supervisors who specialize in music placement. Additionally, the winner will receive a music promotional campaign from our friends at Play MPE.

Ten Screen Shot finalists will have their songs made available to over 1,000 industry licensing contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects.

Enter your songs by clicking here.

Please note: All categories except for the Lyrics Only category can be entered into this promotion. If you would like to submit a song into Lyrics Only to be considered for the overall 2022 competition and prizes, you may do so throughout this promotional period.

LOVE SONGS & SOCIAL CAUSES PROMOTION EXTENDED
November 23, 2022

Due to popular demand and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is extending the deadline for its Love Songs & Social Causes special promotions until midnight CST US on November 28, 2022.


As a reminder, these promotions are looking for great LOVE SONGS or songs related to any sort of SOCIAL CAUSE. All songs entered will be eligible for special promotion prizes and will also be entered into the overall 2022 competition. Wishing you the very best during this holiday season!

LOVE SONGS & SOCIAL CAUSES PROMOTION NOW OPEN
November 9, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is re-opening to bring back the Love Songs & Social Causes special promotion! This promotion will only be open for a limited time from November 9-22, 2022. 

ART OF BOOKING PROMOTION NOW OPEN
October 19, 2022

Do you want to start booking yourself better gigs? The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has the perfect opportunity for you. We are launching a limited-time special promotion entitled Art Of Booking, which will be open from October 19-26, 2022, to give our entrants a chance to win prizes that will help them book better gigs.  Click here to enter your songs.

One Overall Winner will also be awarded a one-hour consultation with 30-year industry veteran Kathrine McVicker, the founder of Music Works International and author of Anyone Can Book A Gig.

PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC LIKE THE PROS
October 5, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has partnered with Play MPE to launch an opportunity for our entrants to win more prizes entitled Promote Your Music Like The Pros. This special promotion will only be running from October 5-12, 2022.

Do you want to have your music listened to by the tastemakers of the music industry? Would you like the opportunity to have your music promoted to the tune of artists signed to companies like Warner, Universal, Sony, and Def Jam? If so, enter your song(s) by October 12 to have a shot at winning a promotional distribution campaign from Play MPE!

One overall winner from this promotion will be selected and awarded a music promotion distribution campaign worth up to $1,000 USD from Play MPE. 

Two runner-ups will also be selected from this promotion and awarded music promotion distribution campaigns worth up to $500 USD each from Play MPE.

All winners from this promotion will also be featured in a dedicated blog post and social post from Play MPE. 

Click here to enter your songs now!

REGULAR DEADINE APPROACHING SEPT. 21
September 14, 2022

The regular deadline for ISC is approaching soon on September 21. After this date ISC will go into the extended deadline at which time the entry fee increases from $30 to $35. So, enter now and save on entry fees! Click here to enter.

DEMO YOUR LYRICS PROMOTION NOW OPEN
August 17, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is launching a special promotion called Demo Your Lyrics, to give a winner and 4 runner-ups the opportunity to turn their lyrics into songs with Pearl Snap Studios demo packages. This promotion will run from August 17-26, 2022—all those who enter the Lyrics Only category during this period will automatically qualify for the promotion as well as being entered into the 2022 competition year. Enter your songs at https://songwritingcompetition.com/submit

*Though this promotion is exclusive to the Lyrics Only category, we are still accepting entries in all 24 categories ISC offers. 

DISCOUNT ENTRY IS BACK FOR ONE MORE WEEK
July 20, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is launching a special promotion called Discount Daze, from July 20-27, 2022. The promotion is offering the lowest entry fee in the history of the competition
- $20 per song submission. 

ISC knows that times are difficult right now due to the continual rise of inflation, COVID-19, etc. In response to this, ISC wants to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to enter the 2022 competition year which is why we are thrilled to announce that we will be giving all entrants the opportunity to take advantage of our lowest entry fee for ISC 2022 for one more week. This is the first time ISC has ever done something like this, so we hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity.

SWEET SUMMER DAYS PROMOTION NOW OPEN
July 6, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has officially kicked off it's Sweet Summer Days promotion, running July 6-15, 2022. This is limited-time opportunity that offers additional prizes alongside entry into the overall 2022 competition.

Five winners will be chosen from this promotion, and each will be awarded a $100 gift card from Sweetwater, the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer, to invest in new gear.  These winners will also get the chance to get connected by receiving a 12-month subscription to the A&R Registry and Music Publishers Directory provided by Music Business Registry. This includes full contact information for all major and independent music publishers in the US, Canada, and the UK, including address, phone, email, website, and the style of music preference.

Enter now to take advantage of these additional prizes and have a shot to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes for the winners of ISC 2022.

Enter your songs here.

ISC ANNOUNCES JUDGES
June 21, 2022

ISC has announced its panel of judges to date. Click here to see the list. More judges will be announced soon.

ISC ANNOUNCES WINNERS
May 12, 2022

ISC is pleased to announce the 2021 winners. Click here to view the list. Congratulations to all winners, and thank you to everyone who entered the competition last year. 

You can also review all 2021 special promotion winners by clicking here.

Entries are now open for 2022. Click here to enter.

Jump On It Promotion Open Now
May 2, 2022

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now running a special promotion called JUMP ON IT, from May 2-11, 2022. The promotion is offering the lowest entry fee in the history of the competition - $20 per song submission. 

One overall winner from the JUMP ON IT promotion will be awarded:

• One CRAFT 2.0 Synthesiser from Modal Electronics
• One LCT 440 PURE condenser studio microphone from Lewitt Audio

Click here to enter your songs. 

ISC FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
March 10, 2022

ISC has announced the 2021 finalists. Please click here for the complete list. Congratulations to all finalists!

Winners will be announced in late April or early May as soon as the judges complete the judging process. Winners for all special promotions (i.e., Jump On It, 10 Days Of Summer, Inspire Your Songs, and Stocking Stuffer) will be announced when ISC announces the overall competition winners. Winners for the 20th anniversary special "Spotlight" and "Founder's Choice" awards will also be announced along with the regular competition winners.

All finalists' songs will also be posted online as part of The People's Voice which allows the public to listen to and vote for their favorite song. This public vote is in addition to, and completely separate from, the regular winners which are selected by the judges. Voting will be open from today until April 11, 2022. We hope that you will listen to the songs and show your support for the finalists by voting for your favorite. To vote in the People's Voice,  Click here!

Entries are open for 2021. Click here to enter. Save on discounted Early Bird entry fees!

2021 SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
February 24, 2022

ISC has announced the 2021 semi-finalists. Click here to check the complete list. Semi-finalists are listed alphabetically by songwriter. Congratulations to all semi-finalists, and we look forward to announcing finalists in the next couple of weeks!

Entries Are Closed For ISC 2021
February 18, 2022

ISC's Entry Platform for the 2021 competition is now closed. Soon, we will be announcing the Semi-Finalists for ISC 2021, in addition to taking entries for ISC 2022. Stay tuned for those official announcements. 

-- ISC Team

WHAT WINNERS SAY
January 21, 2022

ISC has had the privilege of recognizing so many talented artists and songwriters over the past 20 years. We recently connected with past winners to get their insights on what becoming a winner in ISC meant to them personally and to their musical journey. To read firsthand testimonials from previous ISC winners, click here. 

Enter Any ISC Promotion For A Limited Time Only
January 10, 2022

For the first time ever, ISC is reopening entries for PICK A PROMO, running through January 14, 2022. This is your opportunity to enter your songs into any of ISC's special promotions at $35 per entry. Plus, your entries will also be included in the overall 2021 competition. Promotions you might have missed include Demo Your Lyrics, Inspire Your Songs, Art Of Booking, Love Songs, Social Causes, and Screen Shot.

Click here for more information and to enter your songs. 

ISC REOPENS FOR STOCKING STUFFER PROMOTION
December 15, 2021

ISC is reopening submissions for its annual Stocking Stuffer promotion, running from December 15, 2021, to January 5, 2022. In the spirit of the holidays, the fee is discounted to $25 per entry (lowest price of the year)! 

This will be the very last chance to enter ISC 2021.

All songs entered will also be entered into the overall competition and will be eligible to win the overall ISC prizes which include almost $250,000 in cash, merchandise, and services. There are 23 categories to choose from, and there is no limit to the number of songs you may enter.

One overall winner from the Stocking Stuffer promo will be selected and awarded a prize package that includes:

• American Dream Acoustic Guitar From Taylor Guitars
• Three Days of Recording Time At Dark Horse Recording
• CRAFT 2.0 Synthesiser From Modal Electronics

Click here to enter your songs. 

Happy Holidays from the ISC team!

Screen Shot Promotion Now Open
December 1, 2021

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is reopening entries for its annual Screen Shot promotion running December 1-13, 2021. This promotion is specifically looking for music in all styles and genres that is well-suited for placement in TV, film, ads, video games, and other licensing avenues.

• One overall Screen Shot winner will be selected by ISC and provided the opportunity to be mentored directly by a group of high-profile music supervisors who specialize in music placement. Additionally, the winner will receive a music promotional campaign from our friends at Play MPE.
• Ten Screen Shot finalists will have their songs made available to over 1,000 industry licensing contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects.

All ISC categories are eligible for the Screen Shot promotion except Lyrics Only (i.e., music licensing requires music). Please note: You can still enter the Lyrics Ony category during the promotion, but your entries will not be considered for the Screen Shot promotion prizes.

To learn more about the importance of music licensing and to enter your songs, click here. 

LOVE SONGS & SOCIAL CAUSES PROMOTION EXTENDED
November 24, 2021

Due to popular demand and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, ISC is extending the deadline for its Love Songs & Social Causes special promotions until midnight CST US on November 29, 2021.

As a reminder, these promotions are looking for great LOVE SONGS or songs related to any sort of SOCIAL CAUSE. All songs entered will be eligible for special promotion prizes and will also be entered into the overall 2021 competition.

Click here to enter. 

LOVE SONGS & SOCIAL CAUSES PROMOTIONS NOW OPEN
November 10, 2021

ISC’s LOVE SONGS and SOCIAL CAUSES promotions are taking entries now for a limited time only November 10-23, 2021. Enter to take home some amazing prizes (e.g., Taylor Guitar, Alclair In Ear Monitors, Play MPE Global Distribution Promotion, and more) and be included in ISC 2021 giving away over $225,000 in cash, prizes, recognition, and more. 

Click here to learn more. 

EXTENDED DEADLINE APPROACHING SOON
October 26, 2021

ISC's extended deadline period is ending soon on November 3, 2021. Enter your songs here. 

Art of Booking Promotion Open Now
October 18, 2021

Whether you've booked hundreds of gigs or none at all, the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has put together a promotion that is designed for anyone interested in booking better gigs on their own.

ISC is partnering with industry experts from Music Works International, AGD Entertainment, and Indie Bible to bring you a special promotion called the ART OF BOOKING, running October 18-25, 2021. Five winners will be selected and awarded prizes designed to give artists at any level the tools and know-how to start booking better gigs today. 

One overall winner from the promotion will be awarded: 

• One enrollment in the online course, Anyone Can Book A Gig, along with one hour of consultation with 30-year industry veteran Katherine McVicker, Director of Music Works International and author of Anyone Can Book A Gig. 
• Electronic Press Kit (EPK) from AGD Entertainment. The EPK includes both PDF and video assets, along with three hours of consultation with AGD's COO/Founder, Nathan Dohse, to discuss career and brand development.   
• The International Booking Agents Directory from Indie Bible, a comprehensive directory that allows you to find booking agents around the globe by location and style of music across a variety of live performance venues.

Four runner-ups from the promotion will be awarded:

• One enrollment in the online course, Anyone Can Book A Gig. 
• A one-hour consultation with AGD's COO/Founder, Nathan Dohse, to discuss brand and career development.  
• The International Booking Agents Directory from Indie Bible.

All Promotion entrants will receive:

• Music Works International is offering an exclusive 20% discount code off the Anyone Can Book A Gig online course to anyone entering the promotion.  
• AGD Entertainment is offering a "FREE 45-minute One-On-One Strategy Session" to discuss your career goals.

Click here to enter today.

ISC Announces New Spotlight Award
October 13, 2021

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is proud to announce the launch of a new Spotlight Award that will be given annually to a song and its songwriter(s) from a different country. The goal is to shine the spotlight on songwriting talent each year and honor their musical achievements.

The inaugural award, presented by ISC and SOCAN, will be presented to a Canadian song and its songwriter(s) who embody excellence in the craft of songwriting. All Canadians who are members of SOCAN are eligible for this award. This award is in addition to all other winners honored in the overall ISC competition.

Click here to learn more. 

INSPIRE YOUR SONGS PROMOTION OPEN NOW
October 4, 2021

ISC is currently taking entries for its INSPIRE YOUR SONGS special promotion. All songs entered between October 4-11, 2021, will automatically qualify for the promotion, and will also be entered into the overall 2021 competition.

Three winners will be selected from the promotion and each will be awarded a mobile recording studio (Spire Studio from iZotope), vocal production software (Nectar 3 plugin from iZotope), and in-ear headphones (LCDi3 from Audeze).

Enter your songs today and let ISC help you capture your next song idea!

EXTENDED DEADLINE NOW OPEN
September 23, 2021

ISC is now taking entries for its Extended Deadline period until Novemer 3, 2021 at $35 per song submission. Click here to enter your songs. 

Founder's Choice Award
September 1, 2021

In celebration of ISC's 20th Year Anniversary, a Founder’s Choice Award of $10,000 (US) has been established. This one-time award is in addition to the overall $25,000 (US) Grand Prize selected by ISC’s esteemed panel of judges. The winner will be selected by ISC's founder, Candace Avery, and ISC's Listening Committee and gives them the opportunity to recognize and award their favorite song for the first time in ISC’s history.

Regular Deadline Approaching Soon
August 28, 2021

ISC's regular deadline is approaching soon on September 22, 2021. Click here to enter your music. 

Demo Your Lyrics Promotion Open Now
August 17, 2021

Attention all lyricists, poets, and songwriters! ISC is taking entries for a very special promotion called DEMO YOUR LYRICS, and it will be open for a limited time, August 17-26, 2021.

Enter your lyrics into ISC's 'Lyrics Only' category for a chance to win a demo recording session with Pearl Snap Studios. All Lyrics Only submissions entered during this time period will automatically qualify for this special promotion and will also be entered into ISC 2021, making you eligible to share in over $150,000 in cash, prizes, recognition, and more. Please note: Although this promotion is exclusively for 'Lyrics Only' entries, ISC is still taking entries in all other categories.  

Why Enter DEMO YOUR LYRICS?

One overall winner will be selected and awarded a Standard Package and Melody Writing (if needed). Pearl Snap Studio producers will infuse the song with up to five instruments to deliver that “full sound” you hear on the radio today. The package also includes a vocal track and background vocal from an in-house vocalist. Additionally, if your song doesn't have a melody, a professional songwriter will craft an original melody to complement your lyrics. You keep 100% of the copyrights! 

Nine runner-ups will be awarded a Basic Demo Package. This includes a simple demo with one instrument (normally a guitar or piano), a vocal track, and a background vocal (if needed). Please note, this prize does not include the option of melody writing, but that service can be included for an additional fee.

The winner and nine runner-ups will also be awarded a one-year free license to MasterWriter, the most powerful suite of songwriting tools ever assembled in one program. Why struggle to find the right word when you can have all the possibilities in an instant? MasterWriter gives you Rhymes, Close Rhymes, Phrases, Synonyms, Word Families, Pop-Culture, and much more. While a computer program cannot compete with the mind and imagination of a songwriter, the mind cannot compete with the word choices that MasterWriter will give you in an instant. When the two work together, great things happen.

Enter your lyrics here. 

Check Out ISC's 2021 Judges
August 2, 2021

This is your chance to be heard by an elite panel of judges that includes Coldplay, Bebe Rexha, Tom Waits, Laura Pausini, Joe Hahn (Linkin Park), Nancy Wilson (Heart), Jermiah Fraites (The Lumineers), blackbear, Metro Boomin, Krewella, Arturo Sandoval, Tenille Townes, George Thorogood, Sidewalk Prophets, Camila, Steve Lillywhite (Producer), and more, including top music industry executives from Atlantic, Roc Nation, Warner, Capitol, Glassnote, YouTube, Motown, and more. For a complete listing, click here. 

10 Days Of Summer Promotion Open Now
July 21, 2021

ISC has kicked off its 10 DAYS OF SUMMER special promotion, running July 21-30, 2021. This is a limited-time-only opportunity to win cool prizes, and be included in the overall 2021 competition. Reminder, ISC accepts all styles and genres of music.

Ten winners will be chosen, one from each day of the promotion, and each will be awarded a $100 gift card from Sweetwater Sound, the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer. This is a great opportunity to purchase some new gear. Additionally, each winner selected will receive a copy of the Music Publishers Registry. This includes full contact information for all major and independent music publishers in the US, Canada, and the UK, including address, phone, email, website, and the style of music preference.

You can still enter ISC 2021 after the special promotion, but why wait! 

Enter your songs here. 

Cut The Chord Promotion Open Now
July 7, 2021

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is kicking off a brand new special promotion called CUT THE CORD, running July 7-14, 2021.

Our good friends at Shure are generously offering their wireless noise-canceling AONIC headphones as prizes, and we want you to have a pair. Not only do we use them in the office, but all of last year's ISC judges were provided a pair and their feedback has been amazing. 

Three lucky winners from the promotion will be hand-selected by ISC's listening committee and awarded a pair of these remarkable wireless headphones. Additionally, all songs entered into the promotion will also be included in ISC 2021, and will be eligible to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes.

Enter your songs here.

REGULAR DEADLINE NOW OPEN
June 17, 2021

ISC is now in its Regular Deadline period and is accepting entries until September 22, 2021 at $30 per entry.  Enter your songs here.

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE APPROACHING Soon
May 27, 2021

ISC's Early Bird deadline is approaching soon on June 16, 2021. Enter early to take advantage of the cost savings.

Soon, we will be announcing our official judge panel, along with other updates for the 2021 competition. ISC is celebrating its 20th year anniversary and we are making plans to make it one of our best competitions ever. Stay tuned for further details.

Click here to enter. 

ISC WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
May 3, 2021

ISC is pleased to announce the 2020 winners. Please click here to view the complete list. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all the amazing songwriters who entered ISC! 

All 2020 entrants have been notified by email regarding these results; please be sure to check your junk or spam mailbox to receive ISC emails.

Click here to view the complete list of prizes.

ISC would also like to announce the Special Promotion winners:

10 DAYS OF SUMMER

Winners:

Day One: "It's Amazing” – Helen Austin, Paul Otten / Big Little Lions (Royston, BC, Canada)
Day Two: "Lookalike” – Chloe Rose Schwartz / Chloe Rose (Santa Barbara, CA, USA)
Day Three: “You” – Chloe Adelaide Watson / ChloA Watson (Henderson, NV, USA)
Day Four: "Drown” – Cade Earick, Carleigh Mack / Cade Earick (Rumney, NH, USA)
Day Five: "Her Or Me” – Madi Earl, Jack London / Madi Earl (Gilbert, AZ, USA)
Day Six: "Insane” – Paulina ( Ipswich, QLD, Australia)
Day Seven: "Refresh Me” – Stephen Koch (New York, NY, USA)
Day Eight:  "All I Wanted” – Abby J Hall, Andre Kaden Black, Tal Vaisman / Abby J Hall (Burlington, ON, Canada)
Day Nine: "Falling” – Mavenne (Cincinnati, OH, USA)
Day Ten: "Beautiful Secret” – Amy Fairchild, Adam Steinberg / Amy Fairchild (Boston, MA, USA)

DEMO YOUR LYRICS

Winner:  "Looking Out For One Another” – Liz Rachel Walker (Victoria, BC, Canada)

INSPIRE YOUR SONGS

Winners:

“Deshidratada” – Luna Mir Cruz / Luna Mir (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
"Haunting Days Of Halloween” – Lucy Kalantari / Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
"I Just Can't Turn It Off” - Eden Iris Spence, Alex Ellsworth / Eden Iris (Auckland, New Zealand) 

JUMP ON IT

Winner: “Skeletons” - Stephanie Bourland, Nick Schwarz, Ethan Hulse / MAD FVN (McLean, VA, USA)

LIVE NOW

Winner: "Stir All Night” – Robert J Hunter (London, England)

LOVE SONGS

Winner: "Trembling No More” – Candace Coker (San Fernando, Trinidad And Tobago)

SCREEN SHOT

Winner: "Can't Go Back" – Gene Evaro, Jr. (Joshua Tree, CA, USA)

SOCIAL CAUSES 

Winner: "One Meter Fifty” – Isaac Bullock, Marlice Baart / Kyakuwa (Haarlem, Netherlands)

STOCKING STUFFER 

Winner: "New York” - Jake Isaac (London, England)

2020 FENDER SELECT PRIZE

Tristan Bushman (First Place, Country) has been selected and awarded an Acoustasonic Acoustic-Electric Guitar courtesy of Fender. 

ISC ANNOUNCES FINALISTS
March 8, 2021

ISC is pleased to announce the 2020 finalists. Click here to view the list. All finalists’ songs are now in the hands of our judges, and winners will be announced in late April or early May as soon as the judging process is completed. Congratulations to all finalists!

The following are the finalists in the following special promotions. Finalists are listed by song title, songwriter(s), artist, and hometown.

DEMO YOUR LYRICS FINALISTS

"Build Me A River (A Soldiers Prayer)” – Randi Garnick (Randi Garnick) – Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
"Glass Tower” – Marcelle McConchie (Marcelle McConchie) – Seaford, VIC, Australia
"Home Is Where The Heart Breaks” (Ceri Earle, Chelsey Satterlee, Scott Voelkerding (Ceri Earle) – Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
"Let The Love In” – Debbi Lonmon, Mike Fuller (Little Sister) – Germiston, South Africa
"Looking Out For One Another” – Liz Rachel Walker (Liz Rachel Walker) – Victoria, BC, Canada
"Something” – Marc Lynch (Marc Lynch) – Dublin, Ireland
"The Next Best Thing” – Gary Rasberry (Gary Rasberry) – Kingston, ON, Canada
"The Secret” – Glenn Valles (Glenn Valles) – Mumbai, India
"To Beirut With Love” – Amal Shaya Hatoum (Amal Shaya Hatoum) – Saoufar, Lebanon
"Two Flames, One Song” – Camila Arraya (KamilahRa) – La Paz, Bolivia

SCREEN SHOT FINALISTS

"Between Two Worlds” – Lulu Fall, Kris Johnson (Lulu Fall And The Kris Johnson Group) – Washington, D.C., USA
"Bright As The Moon” – Gabriella Evaro, Gene Evaro Jr. (Gabriella Evaro) – Joshua Tree, CA, USA
"Can't Go Back” – Gene Evaro Jr. (Gene Evaro Jr. ) – Joshua Tree, CA, USA
"Godspeed” – RushKlan (RushKlan) – New Rochelle, NY, USA
"I Killed My Man” – Karoline Rose (SUN) – Sézanne, France
"Make A Monster” – Angela Sclafani (Angela Sclafani) – Staten Island, NY, USA
"My Angels Sang To Notre Dame” – Sean Murphy (All The Queen's Horses) – Cork, Ireland
"Something Like I Love You” – Jemma Johnson (Jemma Johnson) – Uttoxeter, England
"Weight Of The World” – Kevin Young (Skipper Noon) – Atlanta, GA, USA
"You” – Joshua Bryant, Julius McCarty (The Real J Israel) – Atlanta, GA, USA

LOVE SONG FINALISTS

"All I Want” – Oksana Predko, Marcin Kuczewski, Kasia Jaznicka (Varsovie Kolektiv) – Warsaw, Poland
"Baby, I'm Not Your Blue Sky” – Westrin, Mowry (Westrin & Mowry) – Lansing, MI, USA
"Break Itself” – Ava Suppelsa, Tristan Bushman, Michael August (Tristan Bushman) – Evanston, IL, USA
"Love Is Not Dead” – Magnus Thor (Saratoga) – Reykjavik, Iceland
"Nicotine” – Garrett Long (Garrett Long) – Harrisonburg, VA, USA
"Perfect Imperfections” – David Leask, Ari Rhodes (David Leask) – Mississauga, ON, Canada
"She's Where I Belong” – Jimmy Charles, Troy Castellano, Melissa Bollea (Jimmy Charles) – Ocean City, MD, USA
"Something” – Natia Todua, Vilko Zanki (Natia Todua) – Tiflis, Georgia
"Trembling No More" - Candace Coker (Candace Coker) – San-Fernando, Trinidad And Tobago
"Words Cannot Give" – Aimee Felise, Vasyl Tkach (Aimee Felise Ft. Hayes) – Murrieta, CA, USA

 SOCIAL CAUSES FINALISTS

"As America Bleeds” – Jason Zucker (Sugardown) – Cleveland, OH, USA
"Born From The Land” – Ricky Kej, Baaba Maal, Alexis D'Souza, IP Singh (Ricky Kej, Baaba Maal, And Lonnie Park) – Bangalore, India
"California's On Fire” – Drew Matthew Hale (Drew Hale) – Grawn, MI, USA
"Colours" – Craig Rewbury (The Cabaret Quicksand) – Fonthill, ON, Canada
"Love Instead” – Seth Aaron Jones (Seth Aaron) – Philadelphia, PA, USA
"One Meter Fifty” – Isaac Bullock, Marlice Baart (Kyakuwa) – Haarlem, Netherlands
"Paint The World” – Ryan Nicholson, Lisa Whitters (Ryan Nicholson) – Phoenix, AZ, USA
"What If” – Naomi Wachira (Naomi Wachirav) – Naivasha, Kenya
"Wise Woman” – Carli Kennedy, Julie Kennedy, Mallory Johnson (Twin Kennedy and Mallory Johnson) – Powell River, BC, Canada
"You Are Not Alone” – Andre Rodriguez (Andre Rodriguez) – Auburn Hills, MI, USA

The special promotions Jump On It, 10 Days of Summer, Inspire Your Songs, Live Now, and Stocking Stuffer do not have finalists. The winners will be announced at the same time that ISC announces the overall competition winners.

Entries are open for 2021. Click here to enter. Enter now and save on discounted Early Bird entry fees.

ISC Announces 2020 Semi-Finalists
February 24, 2021

ISC is pleased to announce its 2020 semi-finalists. Click here to see the complete list (sorted alphabetically by the songwriters' names).

Finalists will be selected from this group of semi-finalists and will be announced soon. The finalists will be sent to our celebrity judges who will select the winners. Finalists in the Demo Your Lyrics, Love Songs and Social Causes, and Screen Shot special promotions will be announced at the same time as regular finalists. All winners, including those in additional special promotions (i.e., Jump On It, 10 Days Of Summer, Inspire Your Songs, Live Now, and Stocking Stuffer) will be announced once the judging process is completed.

ISC received over 26,000 entries this year, and semi-finalists account for almost 9% of all entries. Congratulations to all semi-finalists on this remarkable achievement!

Entries for ISC 2021 are now open at the Early Bird discounted rate of $25 per entry, so click here to enter your songs to save on entry fees.

Entries Are Closed For ISC 2020
February 8, 2021

Please stay tuned for the announcement of 2020 semi-finalists - coming soon!

Happy New Year
January 7, 2021

We are wishing everyone the very best in the new year!

Last Chance To Enter ISC 2020
December 30, 2020

Just a quick reminder that ISC's final entry deadline is approaching soon on January 6, 2021.  This will be the last chance to enter the 2020 competition. If you would like to enter or enter more songs, you still have time.  We are currently running our final promotion of the year called Stocking Stuffer offering a discounted entry fee of $25 per song submission. 

Happy Holidays from the ISC team!

Click here to enter.

ISC 2020 REOPENS FOR STOCKING STUFFER PROMOTION
December 16, 2020

The holiday season is upon us so ISC would like to extend you a special offer!

ISC is reopening submissions for its annual Stocking Stuffer promotion, running from December 16, 2020, to January 6, 2021. In the spirit of the holidays, the fee is discounted to $25 per entry.

One overall winner from the Stocking Stuffer promo will be awarded a prize package from our sponsors that includes a Stealth microphone from Aston Mics, a Spire Studio from iZotope, and a V-Collection 7 Software Instrument Bundle from Arturia. 

All songs entered into Stocking Stuffer will also be included in the overall 2020 competition. Prizes in the overall competition include over $150,000 in cash, merchandise, services, recognition, and more. There are 23 different categories you can enter, and there is no limit to how many songs you may submit.

This is the VERY LAST CHANCE to enter the 2020 International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

Happy Holidays from the ISC team!

Click here to enter.

Entries Reopen For Screen Shot
December 2, 2020

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is reopening entries for its annual Screen Shot promotion running December 2-11, 2020.

This promotion is specifically looking for music in all styles and genres that is well suited for placement in TV, film, ads, video games, and other licensing avenues.

One overall Screen Shot winner will be selected by ISC and provided the opportunity to be mentored directly with a group of high-profile music supervisors who specialize in music placement. We've assembled a world-class panel of mentors from MTV, ABC, Position Music, and Pop-Up UK.

Ten Screen Shot finalists will have their songs made available to over 1,000 industry licensing contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects.

You are welcome to enter new songs or songs you've already entered into ISC 2020. Please be sure to choose a different category for any songs you have already entered.

Please note: all songs entered into the Screen Shot promotion cannot be tied to any existing licensing or publishing agreements.

Click here to enter. 

LOVE SONGS & SOCIAL CAUSES PROMOTION EXTENDED
November 24, 2020

Due to popular demand and the upcoming holiday, the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is extending the deadline for the Love Songs and Social Causes special promotions until midnight CST US on November 30, 2020. We want to make sure you still have time to enter. 

As a reminder, if you have great LOVE SONGS or songs related to any sort of SOCIAL CAUSE, these promotions are perfect for you. You are welcome to enter new songs or songs you've already entered into the competition. All songs entered will be eligible for special promotion prizes and will also be entered into the overall 2020 competition.

Click here to enter.

ISC REOPENS FOR TWO SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
November 11, 2020

ISC 2020 has reopened entries for two special promotions for a limited time only, November 11-25, 2020.

If you have great LOVE SONGS or songs related to any sort of SOCIAL CAUSE, these promotions are for you. 

You are welcome to enter new songs or songs you’ve already entered into ISC 2020. Please make sure to choose a different category for songs you’ve already entered. All special promotion entrants will be eligible to win prizes as well as be entered into the overall 2020 competition.

LOVE SONGS - Songs about any kind of love, falling in or out of love, unrequited love, heartbreak, moving on, etc. 

• One overall winner will receive prizes from Audeze, PreSonus, Sweetwater, Merch Cat, and Shubb Capo. 
• Nine runners-up receive 1000 play credits and promotion on Radio Airplay's social media outlets.

SOCIAL CAUSES - Songs about any kind of social cause running the full gamut of social issues like injustice, climate change, Covid, etc.

• One overall winner will receive prizes from Audeze, PreSonus, Sweetwater, Merch Cat, and Shubb Capo. 
• Nine runners-up receive 1000 play credits and promotion on Radio Airplay's social media outlets.

PLEASE NOTE: You are welcome to enter both promotions in any of our 23 categories. Winners for both promotions will be announced in April/May 2021. 

Click here to enter your music. 

EXTENDED DEADLINE APPROACHING SOON
October 27, 2020

ISC's extended deadline is approaching soon on November 4, 2020. Click here to enter your songs. 

LIVE NOW PROMOTION OPEN NOW
October 19, 2020

ISC is looking for the best live performance of an original song. Any song you've written. Something new. Something old. A song you've already entered into the competition or a demo you've never shared before. It can be a previously recorded live performance with a full band or it can be as simple as recording yourself with your phone. All categories are eligible to enter the promotion.

ISC's LIVE NOW special promotion will be taking entries from October 19-26. All songs entered into the promotion will compete for one overall prize and also be included in the 2020 competition. 

One overall winner will be awarded a Stealth microphone from Aston Mics. Additionally, the winner will receive an iRig Video Creator HD Bundle professional streaming kit from IK Multimedia. 

How To Enter?

Login in to your account, click Add Song, select Stream My Music/Video and input a streaming link* to your song. From there, you can fill out the other required information and proceed to checkout. 

* To create a streaming link for your video, you can upload your song to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, etc. and then copy/paste that direct link when entering your song. Otherwise, you can provide us a download streaming link from file-sharing services like WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. Please ensure the streaming links provided are active and shareable so we can access your video for review. Please do not attempt to upload video files (e.g., .mp4, .mov) as our platform does not accept these file types.

Please note: it is not required that you enter the LIVE NOW promotion. We are still accpeting songs in any and all categories as part of the regular 2020 competition.

Click here to enter.

INSPIRE YOUR SONGS PROMOTION OPEN NOW
October 5, 2020

If there’s one thing we know about songwriting, there’s no telling when and where the inspiration will strike. We can only imagine the number of song ideas you've had during the recent shutdown. The easier it is to capture and record the idea, the better. With this in mind, ISC is launching a special promotion called INSPIRE YOUR SONGS, running for a very limited time, October 5 - 12, 2020. This is a great opportunity to win some cool prizes to help you capture song ideas.

Three overall winners will be selected and awarded:

1. Spire Studio from iZotope – User-friendly, wireless mobile recording device that allows you to quickly capture amazing audio anywhere.
2. Nectar 3 plugin from iZotope – Easy to use yet sophisticated vocal production tool that helps get your vocals to sit better in any mix.
3. LCD-1 headphones from Audeze – Rated 9/10 by Wired Magazine, these state of the art headphones will take your listening experience to the next level delivering “indescribable magic.”

Note: All songs entered into the INSPIRE YOUR SONGS promotion will also be included in the overall 2020 International Songwriting Competition.

Enter your songs today here. 

EXTENDED DEADLINE NOW OPEN
September 24, 2020

ISC is now in its extended deadline period and is accepting entries until November 4, 2020.  Enter your songs here.  

How To Get Your Music Heard
September 16, 2020

While it's pretty incredible that we live in a world where songs can be recorded and uploaded for global distribution in a matter of hours, it doesn't guarantee that your music will actually be heard. Music creators still need to cut through all the noise. But, how?

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is designed to help artists get their music heard and get the recognition they deserve. Open to both amateur and professional songwriters of all ages from anywhere in the world, ISC's mission is to provide an opportunity for your songs to be heard by those who can make a difference in your music career. No other music competition in the world can match the caliber of ISC's judging panel that includes both celebrity artists and high-profile industry executives. 

It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you, and ISC can help songwriters get known.

It is essential for artists and songwriters to take advantage of every opportunity in order to further their careers. ISC is the perfect opportunity and can be the next step toward getting more fans, better gigs, songs licensed, getting publishing deals, and getting signed. 

Believing in your dream and persevering toward your goals is absolutely necessary. Over the years we have seen songwriters enter ISC with no success in the competition, but then in subsequent years, they have gone on to become finalists and winners. This is common in all aspects of the music industry, and examples of this perseverance abound. How many stories have you heard of artists who were rejected over and over again by record labels to then go on to stardom?

In addition to the opportunity for artists to be recognized for their talents, ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes to 71 winners in 23 different categories, including a category specifically for Teens (18 years or younger). 

Making music is a very personal and passionate exercise, but every artist needs to be proactive and take advantage of every opportunity available to be heard. Considering that the music industry is one of the most affected industries as a result of the recent shutdown and that ISC has no physical event to attend (it all happens online), entering your songs into the competition is not only a very unique opportunity, it’s actually one of the few available right now to actually be heard by those that can make a difference in your music career. 

Let ISC help you be heard. Enter your songs today!

Regular Deadline Approaching Soon
August 31, 2020

ISC's 2020 Regular Deadline is approaching soon on September 23, 2020. Enter your songs today before the entry price increases from $30 to $35 per song submission. Click here to enter!

ISC 2020 Kicks Off Demo Your Lyrics Special Promotion
August 19, 2020

Attention all lyricists, poets, and songwriters! Have you written lyrics but don’t have the ability or resources to perform or record them - or even the time? Now is your chance to have that all done for you and turn your lyrics into a recorded song with vocals and instrumentation.

ISC is kicking off a very special promotion called DEMO YOUR LYRICS, and it will be open for a limited time, August 19-28, 2020. Click here to enter your lyrics today. 

Enter your lyrics into ISC's Lyrics Only category for a chance to win a demo recording session with Pearl Snap Studios. All Lyrics Only submissions entered during this time period will automatically qualify for this special promotion and will also be entered into the overall 2020 ISC competition, making you eligible to share in over $150,000 in cash, prizes, and more.

One overall winner will be selected and awarded a Standard Package + Melody Writing. Their producers will infuse your song with up to five instruments to deliver that “full sound” you hear on the radio today. The package also includes a vocal track and background vocals from their in-house vocalists. Additionally, a professional songwriter will craft the perfect original melody to complement your lyrics. You keep 100% of the copyrights! 

Nine runner-ups will be awarded a Basic Demo Package. This includes a simple demo with one instrument (normally a guitar or piano), a vocal track, and background vocals (if needed). Please note, this prize does not include melody writing, but that service can be included for an additional fee.

The winner and nine runner-ups will also be awarded a one-year free license to MasterWriter, the leading songwriting, lyric writing, and creative writing software program around. Whether you’re writing a song, poem, script, novel or blog, MasterWriter will unlock all that the English language has to offer, and will help you to express yourself in a unique and meaningful way.

Please note: Although this promotion is exclusively for Lyrics Only entries, ISC is still taking entries in all other categories. 

Click here to enter your lyrics today. 

ISC Judges Announced
July 30, 2020

Click here to see our 2020 judge panel. 

ISC KICKS OFF 10 DAYS OF SUMMER SPECIAL PROMOTION
July 20, 2020

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has kicked off its 10 DAYS OF SUMMER special promotion, running July 20-29, 2020. Every song submitted between July 20-29 will automatically qualify for the special promotion and also be entered into the overall 2020 ISC competition.  
 
Ten finalists will be chosen, one from each day of the promotion, and each will be awarded a $100 gift card from Sweetwater, the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer. This is a great opportunity to purchase some new gear.

Additionally, each winner selected will receive a copy of the Music Publishers Registry. This includes full contact information for all major and independent music publishers in the US, Canada, and the UK, including address, phone, email, website, and the style of music preference.

You can still enter ISC 2020 after the special promotion, but why wait! Click here to enter your songs. 

ISC 2020 IS ACCEPTING ENTRIES NOW
June 18, 2020

All styles of music are accepted and all recognition goes to the songwriter(s). You can enter as many songs as you like.  We look forward to hearing your music.

Click here to enter your songs.

Early Bird Deadline Approaching Soon
June 11, 2020

ISC's Early Bird deadline is quickly approaching on June 17, 2020.  Enter your songs before the entry price increases. 

Click here to enter your songs today. 

We Stand With You
June 2, 2020

ISC firmly believes that music is a unifying force, promoting love, hope, and solidarity.

We should all raise our voices and reject any form of bigotry, hatred, and injustice. These are not political issues. They are human issues, and it requires compassion and empathy from everyone.  

Speak up through your songs and let music contribute toward making the world a place where peace, love, and acceptance of all races, creeds, and colors prevail.

ISC Taking Entries For Early Bird
May 16, 2020

ISC's Early Bird deadline is just around the corner on June 17, 2020.  Clck here to enter your songs. 

Enter Your Songs In ISC's Two Special Events - Until December 4
November 18, 2013

Have your songs heard on Jango and Myxer! ISC is reopening entries until December 4! and will accept two very special kinds of songs: love songs and songs about social causes. 

All artists entering a love song in any category (excluding Lyrics Only and Music Video) will be included on ISC's Sing Your Heart Out Valentine's Day channel on Myxer.com, a Top 10 Mobile website, in February, 2014. From this channel, your song will be available as a free downloadable ringtone for mobile devices. Your songs will also be entered in ISC's 2013 competition with a chance to share in $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a $25,000 cash Grand Prize!

When you enter the Pick Your Cause promotion your song will not only be automatically entered into the ISC 2013 competition, but you will also receive a free Radio Airplay account, and have your song included on the Jango.com radio station "Sounds Of Social Cause" along with major artists like Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more. You will also receive 100 free spins for each entry to your Radio Airplay account. One Grand Prize winner will receive 4,000 Radio Airplay credits ($100 value), promotion on Radio Airplay's social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, an artist spotlight feature in the Radio Airplay blog and newsletter reaching over 65K members, and top placement in rotation on Sounds Of Social Cause:http://www.jango.com/stations/335814143/tunein. Nine runners-up receive 500 Radio Airplay credits each, promotion on Radio Airplay's social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, and top rotation on the "Sounds Of Social Cause" station. Winners will be announced at the end of February, 2014.

Click here to enter. 

Former ISC Winner Gotye Reaches #27 On Billboard Chart
February 13, 2012

Featuring Kimbra, Gotye's single "Somebody That I Used To Know" continues to climb the Billboard charts. As of today, it is #27 on the Hot 100 Billboard chart, and the album Making Mirrors is now #20 on the Billboard 200 Album chart. This is an impressive and well-deserved achievement for this talented artist!

The Band Perry Performs At 2012 Grammys
February 13, 2012

Nominated for Best New Artist, former ISC finalist The Band Perry performed with country star Glen Campbell during the Grammy Awards telecast. Congrats to them on their nomination!

Gin Wigmore, ISC Grand Prize Winner 2004
August 1, 2010

Take a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of "Hey Ho," the second track to be lifted from New Zealander Gin Wigmore's stunning debut album, Holy Smoke, on Universal Music. Go to http://www.ginwigmore.com

Sarah Blasko, ISC Folk/Singer-Songwriter First Place Winner, 2009
August 1, 2010

With rave reviews under her belt from Uncut, Mojo, Maverick, Rolling Stone, and more, Australian artist Sarah Blasko has now relocated to London to launch her career in Europe. Her newest album, As Day Follows Night, will be released in the US on August 10th. Sarah won the 'Best Female Artist' award at the 2009 ARIA Awards.

The Rescues, ISC AAA First Place Winner, 2009
August 1, 2010

Let Loose The Horses, the debut album from The Rescues on Universal Republic, hit stores in early July, and is being featured at Best Buy. The Los Angeles-based foursome had all been previous ISC winners individually, but their winning combination as a group garnered them the First Place win this past year for the title track to their album.

Jes, ISC Dance/Electronica First Place Winner, 2009
August 1, 2010

JES, riding high on her current success as the No. 1 artist to watch on Clear Channel's iHeartRadio, announced the August 2, 2010 release of her second single "Closer" from her critically acclaimed sophomore album, High Glow.

Jeff "Tain" Watts, ISC Jazz First Place Winner, 2009
August 1, 2010

One of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today, Jeff "Tain" Watts holds the unique distinction of being the only musician to appear on every Grammy Award winning jazz record by both Wynton and Branford Marsalis. Watts started his own record label Dark Key Music in 2007, releasing "Folk's Songs" in 2007 and "Watts" in 2009. Dark Key Music is a 2010 Grammy Award Winner for Best Instrumental Solo by Terence Blanchard for Dancin' 4 Chicken.