LIVE SINGING
COMPETITION
About
- Who–Soloists, duos & groups of all ages and skill levels (excluding signed or contracted artists)
- When–New competition monthly (dates TBA)
- What–Vocal Sport is a one-round, concert-style competition and each contestant will sing once
- Where–Utah location TBA
- Entry Fee–$99 per competition, per category entered (a soloist can also compete in a duo/group category)
- Many Winners–1st, 2nd, 3rd place will be awarded in each age category
- Categories–There are 10 total age categories with 10 singers per age category (singers are placed in categories according to age on the competition date)
PRIZES
- All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a customized trophy.
- All 1st place winners will have their Vocal Sport performance video posted on www.vocalsport.com and Vocal Sport’s YouTube channel. These videos will be promoted to national television talent shows: The Voice, American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Little Big Shots, The Ellen Show, etc.
- Grand Prize–$500 cash for one overall winner
(Note: 1st place winners and overall winners are not eligible to compete in future Vocal Sport live singing competitions for 12 months–except in a different category.)
Bonus Prize
- To help spread the word about Vocal Sport and to bring additional exposure to you, we are offering a bonus prize of $250 to the contestant with the highest number of "LIKES" on their INDIVIDUAL ENTRY BLOG POST that we will create. (Note: The "like" counter only shows exact numbers up to 1K likes, so if anyone goes that high, the first contestant to get 1K likes will be the winner.)
- One winner in each of the competitions will be awarded. Bonus prize winners will be announced at the same time as the overall winners.
- This bonus prize is completely separate from the judging of the videos. Likes will not affect the judges' choice of winners.
Exposure & Other Benefits
Our YouTube channel has become a recruiting tool for many directors, producers, casting agents and talent scouts. National TV talent shows regularly contact Vocal Sport to recruit talent. They have selected many singers from the Vocal Sport YouTube channel to attend special auditions and several singers have been featured on television. Singers have also been selected from the Vocal Sport YouTube Channel to sing for special projects for the LDS church and many other opportunities. See Success Stories.
Winners' Benefits
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd place titles in each category (in each monthly competition)
- Overall winner title and cash prize (in each monthly competition)
- Opportunities for referrals to producers, talent scouts, casting agents and more
- Recognition and exposure through our social media, Vlogs and special Blog posts
- Winners' performance videos featured on at www.vocalsport.com and Vocal Sport YouTube Channel
JUDGING
How Winners Are Chosen & Announced
Winners will be chosen solely by Vocal Sport judges (not by popular vote)
Judging Criteria May Include
Announcement of Winners
Judging Criteria May Include
- Confidence/audience connection (showmanship, audience appeal, facial expression)
- Interpretation (vocal expression, connection w/ song, emotion)
- Tone (quality of sound)
- Intonation (pitch)
- Vocal control (strength, dynamics, flexibility, range)
- Criteria may additionally include: Level of difficulty, appropriateness of style/song for voice, use of stage & movement (as applicable), mic technique, appearance/wardrobe, and more.
Announcement of Winners
- Competition winners will be announced at the end of each category.
- The overall prize winner (and Bonus Prize winners) will be announced at www.vocalsport.com on the Monday following the competition (by 10:00 pm).
RULES
Guidelines for Choosing Your Song
Music can be a powerful influence for good. We want to promote uplifting entertainment that inspires both the audience and the performers. Consider songs that are positive, fun, hopeful, or inspirational.
Family-friendly Requirements
We encourage wholesome artistic expression that is uplifting and appropriate for all ages.
- Music–No heavy rock, metal, or songs with an excessive, heavy beat.
- Lyrics–No offensive language (including casual or inappropriate use of names of deity), no suggestive lyrics or themes.
- Movements/Choreography–Must be appropriate for a family audience.
- Wardrobe–No extremely tight, low-cut, or revealing clothes. No spaghetti straps, strapless or halter tops. Skirts and shorts must be at least fingertip length.
- Content–Must not include material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, defamatory, slanderous or libelous, including material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation or that is otherwise unlawful.
- Warning–Contestants will be disqualified if their performance does not meet the family-friendly requirements.
General Music Requirements
Song Length
You have 5 minutes from the time you enter the stage to the time you exit (you will be stopped if your stage time goes beyond 5 minutes).
Acceptable Genres
All genres acceptable except heavy rock, metal, or songs with an excessive, heavy beat
Covers and Original Songs
You may sing a cover of another artist’s song or your own original song
Duplicate Songs
More than one contestant in a category may sing the same song.
Acceptable Accompaniment Types
Email Your Lyrics
Please email us your song name, artist name, lyrics, and any lyric changes you are making. We may ask you to submit a different song or substitute lyrics if we feel the need. Email to [email protected]
You have 5 minutes from the time you enter the stage to the time you exit (you will be stopped if your stage time goes beyond 5 minutes).
Acceptable Genres
All genres acceptable except heavy rock, metal, or songs with an excessive, heavy beat
Covers and Original Songs
You may sing a cover of another artist’s song or your own original song
Duplicate Songs
More than one contestant in a category may sing the same song.
Acceptable Accompaniment Types
- Minus Tracks (see requirements below)
- Live accompaniment including keyboard, acoustic guitar, ukelele, banjo, etc. (We don't supply a keyboard.)
- A Cappella (not recommended for soloists)
- Soloists may have one instrument. Groups need prior approval for more than one instrument.
- No electric guitars (acoustic electric is allowed)
Email Your Lyrics
Please email us your song name, artist name, lyrics, and any lyric changes you are making. We may ask you to submit a different song or substitute lyrics if we feel the need. Email to [email protected]
Live Accompaniment Requirements
Follow These Steps
- Get song title and lyrics approved before finalizing song choice.
- Make sure the length of your song fits within your 5-minute total stage time (including intro, set-up and take-down).
- Soloists may have one instrument (self-accompanied or provide your own accompanist).
- Groups must get approval for more than one instrument (only one outside accompanist).
Minus Track Requirements
Follow These Steps
Specific Sources You Must Buy Tracks From
For copyright reasons, it is required that all minus tracks be purchased from these sources. Exceptions have been made in cases where music owners give specific permissions (email us to find out what kind of permissions are required).
Approved Tracks Can be Found on iTunes:
Specifically search ProSound and Musical Creations tracks on iTunes (include your song title for a more specific search)
If You Can’t Find Your Song
ProSound and Musical Creations have hundreds of songs that are not listed on their sites. If you don’t see a particular song, call or email to ask them if they have it. (Be sure to mention "no backup vocals.") If you still can’t find your song, email us at [email protected]
Editing and Cutting
Cut tracks must be professional-sounding (no abrupt or unnatural-sounding cuts). You can download a FREE music editing program called “Audacity” online. If you need help cutting minus tracks you can contact a recording studio (most studios can do edits by email).
Key Changes
Be aware that key changes made to a minus track can sometimes cause the music to sound distorted. Compare the key-changed track to the original track to hear the difference in sound quality.
Emergency Backup Drive
Contestants should bring a copy of their song on a flash drive to the competition (just keep it with you).
- Get your song title and lyrics approved before you email your track to us.
- Make sure the length of your song fits within your 5-minute total stage time (including intro, set-up and take-down).
- NO BACKUP VOCALS are allowed on the track whatsoever.
- Tracks must be purchased from one of the 3 sources listed below.
- Email your track and purchase receipt to [email protected]
Specific Sources You Must Buy Tracks From
For copyright reasons, it is required that all minus tracks be purchased from these sources. Exceptions have been made in cases where music owners give specific permissions (email us to find out what kind of permissions are required).
Approved Tracks Can be Found on iTunes:
Specifically search ProSound and Musical Creations tracks on iTunes (include your song title for a more specific search)
If You Can’t Find Your Song
ProSound and Musical Creations have hundreds of songs that are not listed on their sites. If you don’t see a particular song, call or email to ask them if they have it. (Be sure to mention "no backup vocals.") If you still can’t find your song, email us at [email protected]
Editing and Cutting
Cut tracks must be professional-sounding (no abrupt or unnatural-sounding cuts). You can download a FREE music editing program called “Audacity” online. If you need help cutting minus tracks you can contact a recording studio (most studios can do edits by email).
Key Changes
Be aware that key changes made to a minus track can sometimes cause the music to sound distorted. Compare the key-changed track to the original track to hear the difference in sound quality.
Emergency Backup Drive
Contestants should bring a copy of their song on a flash drive to the competition (just keep it with you).
URGENT: Minus Track Submission Deadline
Submission Deadline for Minus Tracks
Song Change Requests
- Once your song title and lyrics are approved, your track must be emailed to [email protected] by the song submission deadline that will be given.
- Send your track by Gmail or Google Drive (URGENT: Please make your link shareable).
- All minus tracks are lined up in advance. Singers whose tracks are not received in time will be eliminated.
Song Change Requests
- Due to the song screening process, there may be a fee to change songs after you have already received song approval (whether using minus tracks or self-accompanied). Please request your song change by email before sending a new track.
- Because all minus tracks are lined up prior to the live finals, no song changes will be accepted after the song submission deadline.