LIVE SINGING
COMPETITION RULES
URGENT: Minus Track Submission Deadline is October 1st
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 October 1, 2022 (sooner is better).
- Send your track by Gmail or Google Drive link (IMPORTANT: Please make your link shareable)
- All minus tracks are lined up in advance. Singers whose tracks are not received in time will be eliminated without a refund.
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 on a drive prior to the Live Singing Competition, no song changes will be accepted after the song submission deadline.
Song Choice
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. Additions: 1. No very high slits in skirts/dresses. 2. PLEASE SUBMIT A PHOTO OF YOU IN YOUR VOCAL SPORT WARDROBE 2 WEEKS BEFORE COMPETITION (LATEST).
- 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
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
Contestants in the same category or age division 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 to [email protected]. We may ask you to submit a different song or substitute lyrics if yours don't meet the family-friendly requirements.
- Song length is 2:30 minutes (2 and 1/2 minutes).
- Cutting a verse and chorus will usually shorten your song enough.
- If you need help cutting your song, the typical cost charged by a sound studio is $40 (provide them with your instrumental track, vocal demo track, and lyrics and let them know what you'd like cut out). You can you edit your song in "Audacity" or other free editing programs. Be sure to save your song as a WAV file (even if it started out as an MP3).
- NEW ON 9/30: No abrupt endings to competition cuts. If you need a few more seconds for your song to end smoothly, please contact us for permission.
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
Contestants in the same category or age division may sing the same song
Acceptable Accompaniment Types
- Minus Tracks (see requirements below)
- A Cappella (not recommended for soloists)
- Live accompaniment including piano (provided), acoustic guitar, ukulele, banjo, etc.
- Soloists may have one instrument (self-accompanied or provide your own accompanist).
- No Bands. Groups must get approval for more than one instrument (only one outside accompanist).
- 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 to [email protected]. We may ask you to submit a different song or substitute lyrics if yours don't meet the family-friendly requirements.
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 the 2:30 minute time limit (2 and 1/2 minutes).
- 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
You Must Buy Tracks From Specific Sources
For copyright reasons, it is required that all minus tracks be purchased from sources that have given us permission to use their tracks for competition (and placement on YouTube channel). Here are links to our 5 approved sources:
Here's a 40-second tutorial for using Karaoke-Version.com:
- Get your song lyrics and title approved before you buy and email your track to us.
- Make sure the length of your song fits within the 2:30 minute time limit (2 and 1/2 minutes).
- NO BACKUP VOCALS are allowed on the track whatsoever.
- Tracks must be purchased from one of the 5 sources listed below (*or custom-produced--see details below)
- Email your track and purchase receipt to [email protected]
You Must Buy Tracks From Specific Sources
For copyright reasons, it is required that all minus tracks be purchased from sources that have given us permission to use their tracks for competition (and placement on YouTube channel). Here are links to our 5 approved sources:
- www.MusicalCreations.com - Search tip: if you are looking for "In My Life" by The Beatles, type song title followed by artist name in the search box to eliminate other songs coming up. "Musical Creations" also has many shortened songs for competition!
- www.Karaoke-Version.com/custombackingtracks - Shop from their "custom" backing tracks only. This company requires a non-commercial license to perform with their track at the competition and to be featured on our YouTube channel. The non-commercial license fee is $25 (including the track) and you will need to pay Vocal Sport to obtain that license on your behalf. Once you've paid, we will send you the WAV file with no backup vocals. (You can also purchase the track yourself as an MP3 for $2.99 and customize it through the website, but you will still need to pay the $25 non-commercial license fee to Vocal Sport. See tutorial below for how to customize your song if you buy it.)
- www.PraiseCharts.com - Search for songs with accompaniment tracks (not all songs have them). These tracks require a $30 non-commercial license fee to perform with their track at the competition and to be featured on our YouTube channel. You will need to pay Vocal Sport to obtain that license on your behalf. (You will need to purchase the MP3 track from the site for $5.95. WAV files are not available.)
- www.Daywind.com - Buy a digital track on this site with no backup vocals (scroll to see the digital tracks lower on each page). These tracks require a $50 streaming license fee to perform with their track at the competition and to be featured on our YouTube channel. You will need to pay Vocal Sport to obtain that license on your behalf.
- ProSound - See search details and links below.
Here's a 40-second tutorial for using Karaoke-Version.com:
On iTunes Specifically Search These Names
Link to ProSound on Apple Music: Click here
If You Can’t Find Your Song
Email us at [email protected] and we will help you track it down.
*Custom Produced Tracks
You can have a track custom-produced for you. Your producer cannot use anyone else's tracks or samples in the mix. You'll want to get your song title approved first and let us know someone is making a track for you.
Get Permission to Use Another Artist's or Company's Minus Tracks or Accompaniment Tracks
If you want to contact a music owner, we need an email response from them answering each of these questions:
COPYRIGHT FYI
There are 2 different copyrights to every song:
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 and downloaded on your phone to the competition.
- Musical Creations (include your song title for a more specific search)
- ProSound Karaoke Band
- ProSound Competition Band (shortened songs)
- ProSound Tribute Band
- You may see other artist names that include the word ProSound, but the copyright on the album must say "copyright ProSound Music."
Link to ProSound on Apple Music: Click here
If You Can’t Find Your Song
Email us at [email protected] and we will help you track it down.
*Custom Produced Tracks
You can have a track custom-produced for you. Your producer cannot use anyone else's tracks or samples in the mix. You'll want to get your song title approved first and let us know someone is making a track for you.
Get Permission to Use Another Artist's or Company's Minus Tracks or Accompaniment Tracks
If you want to contact a music owner, we need an email response from them answering each of these questions:
- May a contestant use your minus track(s) or accompaniment track(s) in a local singing competition? (Admission is charged for the event. The event is not televised, livestreamed, or broadcast on the radio.)
- For the competition, may the sound tech add your track to a compilation of contestant tracks on a drive for ease of use during the competition? (The compilation will be deleted after the event.)
- May the singing competition post videos of contestant(s) singing to your track(s) on YouTube? The videos will not be monetized. (https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalSportCompetition/videos)
- Optional: If you are you agreeable to the above, would you like to have other singers directed to you/your site to purchase tracks?
COPYRIGHT FYI
There are 2 different copyrights to every song:
- One copyright is for the song itself (lyrics, melody, etc.) and venues are responsible to have a performing rights blanket license (PRO license) in place. An artist can sing most any song at a licensed venue and be accompanied by a live band or other live instrument.
- One copyright is for someone's creation of the song (like a minus track). Those creators are very eager to protect their copyright and will go after people who use their creation without permission or a license.
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 and downloaded on your phone to the competition.
JUDGING
How Winners are Chosen & Announced
Live Singing Competition Judging Criteria May Include
Announcement of Winners
- Confidence and audience connection (showmanship, audience appeal, facial expression)
- Interpretation (vocal expression, connection with 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 and movement (as applicable), mic technique, appearance/wardrobe, entertainment value, and more.
Announcement of Winners
- Winners in each category and age division will be announced at the Live Singing Competition.
- Other winners will be announced at www.vocalsport.com on the PRIZES page on the Monday following the competition.
- Note: Winners will be chosen by Vocal Sport judges (or prize sponsors), not by popular vote.