Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase
FAQ section at bottom of the page updated 31 Mar 2011.
This will be our fifth annual event! Susanne would be so proud of all who have entered and performed so far, so enter and join in! Previous winners include
TR Ritchie, Jamie Michaels, and last year’s winner — Russ Chapman from Paonia, Colorado.
As ever, we welcome entries from solo singer-songwriters (sorry, no duos, trios, etc.) performing their own original music. Finalists will be selected by an initial blind judging panel, with scoring based on vocal ability, instrumental ability, and songwriting.
Ten finalists will be invited to perform on Saturday, July 16th, 2011 on the main stage of the 3rd Annual Snowbird Mountain Music Festival which runs July 15th through 17th at the glorious Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort located in the cool mountains above Salt Lake City.
Judging there will be by a second panel of judges seated in the audience.
All performances must be solo, and instruments will be limited to what you can carry on stage; no piano will be provided. The winner will be invited back for a paid main stage slot for the 2012 Festival. (There’ll be other prizes, too; not to worry!)
Send your entry, postmarked by April 30 of 2011, containing a CD with two songs written (or co-written) by you that showcase your solo sound along with a $30 check for your entry (made out to the Susanne Millsaps Songwriter Showcase) to:
Susanne Millsaps Songwriter Showcase
1752 South 600 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84105-3002
USA
Please be sure your contact info (including email) is on the CD itself. You know how fast a CD can get separated from its sleeve/case! You may submit more than one entry, (an entry being one set of two songs); just add an additional $30 for each entry. We will inform the finalists by email on or before May 31st, 2011.
This year's festival will include song circles, a Song School held in conjunction with the festival featuring classes with Steve Seskin and Craig Carothers, along with workshops by our main stage performing artists: Ellis, Mitch Barrett, Russ Chapman and the Wil Maring/Robert Bowlin Duo.
For information on registering for the Song School, contact Ruthie Naccarato: rnaccarato@snowbird.com or 801-947-7909.
So enter, come up out of the heat, and see great live performances from wonderful folk and bluegrass talents -- all with a chance to strut your stuff in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative audience on the main stage of the Festival!
Please pass the word along to anyone who might be interested.
For more information, contact
Grant Hogarth
Organizer
Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase
Showcase@Magpiehouseconcerts.com
FAQs
Q: When I perform solo, I typically use a digital vocalist enhancer (foot pedal) which adds harmony based on my chord progression and main vocals. Would this be allowed?
A: A harmonizer would be fine.
Q: Am I to understand that an entry may consist of 2 songs on a single CD? That would be 2 songs entered for $30.00?
A: Yes one entry = 2 songs. If you wanted to submit 2 entries, all 4 songs could be on a single CD; All we ask is that you indicate which ones are to be paired together.
Q: What file formats are acceptable?
A: Any of the main formats (WAV, MP3, AAC, OGG, etc.) will be fine. We will be distributing the files to the initial judges electronically.
Q: May I play more than one instrument?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Should my submissions be recorded and sent to you how I would play them live… that is with one guitar and one vocal?
A: The first two songs might be considered "introduction" songs.
You want them to be relatively unproduced, and we would recommend that they be just you and your instrument, but you are not going to be faulted for having some production or additional instrumentation.
Q: Does the CD have to be "studio" quality?
A: No — many folks submit "Living Room" versions.
Q: Are there any restrictions on who can enter?
A: The only restrictions are excluding folks like James Taylor, Janis Ian, Tim O'Brien and the like. <grin>.
Q: Are there any restrictions on the number of entries?
A: No, but we ask you to be reasonable. You are better off to submit 2 good songs than 12 "sorta-adequate" ones.
Q: If I have a portable keyboard, can I use/play that?
A: A keyboard like that will not be a problem, as we've had them before. We just don't want someone bringing a 320-piece live looping setup type of arrangement, or wanting a drum kit. <smile>
Q: How you are set up for amplification? Is the Showcase simply vocal/instrument, or is there some facility for amplification available?
A: We will have full amplification capability, with at least 1 DI and two microphone connections.
Q: Must entrants play the same songs live that they performed on their entry CD's or must they perform different songs?
A: You may perform the same songs or different ones on your entry and (if you are a finalist), the stage.
Q: Will the judges hear the songs prior to judging the performances in the showcase?
A: The stage judges will not be the same as the preliminary judges, and the stage judges will not hear the recorded songs.
Q: If a performer is selected as a finalist but is unable to perform live, is an alternate finalist selected?
A: We do select alternates, as this has happened before, and probably will again.
Q: If a performer is selected as a finalist but is unable to perform live, do they still get to call themselves a finalist even though they, obviously, wouldn't be eligible to win the showcase?
A: If an performer is selected as a finalist, they can claim the label even if they are not able to make it to the festival.