BMI Bulletin Board: Vol. 15, 9.12

Workshops, festival and contest opportunities for songwriters and composers

WORKSHOPS

Jason Blume Songwriting Workshop: Nashville
BMI’s popular Songwriters’ Workshop Series in Nashville is held monthly under the tutelage of hit songwriter and best-selling author Jason Blume. October’s topic is “How to Publish Your Songs.”
When: October 2, 2012, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: BMI’s Nashville offices (10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN)
Who: Aspiring songwriters
Application deadline: No application necessary, but registration is required. Registration opens September 12 at 3 p.m. CST.
Fee: Free to all participants

Durango Songwriters Expo: Denver, CO
The Durango Songwriters Expo offers songwriters networking opportunities, valuable critiques from industry executives and the chance to mingle with current hit songwriters.
When: October 4-6, 2012
Where: The Omni Interlocken Resort, just outside Boulder, CO
Who: Aspiring songwriters
Application deadline: The number of attendees is limited to 200 to ensure the most personal experience possible, so registration is necessary.
Fee: $299. BMI members should take advantage of a 10% discount on registration.

BMI 101 Workshop: New York
BMI 101 is a one-hour introductory workshop for writers and publishers, covering the history of performing rights, the origins of BMI, and the current role that BMI plays in the music business.
When: October 25, 2012
Where: BMI’s New York headquarters (7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 30th floor)
Who: Songwriters and publishers
Application deadline: No application necessary, but registration is required. E-mail your RSVP (including total number of guests) to Haley Hard at hhard [at] bmi.com.
Fee: Free to all participants

FESTIVALS

Folk Alliance 2013
Each year the Folk Alliance selects artists to showcase during the International Folk Alliance Conference. Last year, Folk Alliance selected 200 artists from all over the world.
Application deadline: Oct. 24, 2012

CONTESTS

American Songwriter Lyric Contest
The American Songwriter Amateur Lyric Contest takes place six (6) times per year in conjunction with each issue of American Songwriter published.
Fee: $12 per lyric
Who: Contest is open to entrants in all countries.
Prize: First place winner receives a Gibson Hummingbird Guitar (MSRP $3784) and a Shure SM58 Microphone.

John Lennon Songwriting Contest
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest launched in 1997.
Fee: $30 per song
Who: Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters in any one of 12 categories.
Prize: Prizes are awarded for different levels of achievement, such as Finalist, Grand Prize, Lennon Award and Song of the Year. See the full list.

International Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest that calls upon leading songwriters, artists and musicians to select 68 winners.
Fee: Early Bird entry fee of $30 (US) for the first entry and $22 for each additional entry (ends July 18). After July 18, the entry fee is $30 per entry with no discount for additional entries. After September 20, the entry fee is $35 per entry.
Who: Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate.
Prize: Grand Prize is $25,000, with additional awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, along with People’s Choice. See the full list.

OTHER IMPORTANT DEADLINES

September 30, 2012 BMI Live: Deadline to enter performances that occurred between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012 for payment in January 2013.

The BMI Bulletin Board is a short list of educational and promotional opportunities for BMI songwriters and composers. Each listing is different: Please do your homework before deciding to vie for a performance slot, register for a workshop or enter a contest.

Know of an opportunity for songwriters and want to pass it along? E-mail musicworld [at] bmi.com.