Contest Details
Categories
Participants can enter original songs in the following categories:
- Pop
- Rock
- Folk
- Hip-Hop
- Country
- R&B
- Latin
- EDM
- Americana
- Other *must be approved by WCS prior to submitting
Eligibility
- Open to all songwriters worldwide, with a special emphasis on West Coast artists.
- Songs must be original and unpublished at the time of submission.
Submission Dates
- Submissions open: May 1, 2025
- Submission deadline: Aug 1, 2025
Entry Fee
- $25 per song for WCS members.
- $35 per song for non-members.
Judging Criteria
Songs will be evaluated by a panel of music industry professionals based on:
- Lyrics: Originality, storytelling, and emotional impact.
- Melody: Catchiness and musical creativity.
- Arrangement: Use of structure and instrumentation
- Overall Impact: The song’s ability to resonate with listeners.
Prizes
Grand Prize Winner
- An Acoustic Guitar
- Recording session with a professional producer
- Featured performance at the 2025 West Coast Songwriters Annual Conference
- One-on-one mentorship session with a top songwriter or industry pro
- One Year of West Coast Songwriter Membership
- A feature in the WCS newsletter/website/social media
- One free Vocal Session from esteemed vocal coach
2nd Place
- A Ukulele
- One year of West Coast Songwriter Membership
- A feature in the WCS newsletter/ website / social media
- One free Vocal Session from esteemed vocal coach
3rd Place
- A feature in the WCS newsletter/ website / social media
- One year of West Coast Songwriter Membership
- One free Vocal Session from esteemed vocal coach
How to Enter
- Pay the entry fee online at www.westcoastsongwriters.org/songcontest
- Complete the submission form sent to you once sign up is complete
- Upload an MP3 of your song (demo-quality recordings are acceptable as long as we can hear the vocals clearly).
- Add your lyrics
Key Dates
- Finalists announced: August 31, 2025
- Winner announcement: September 15, 2025
Why Participate?
- Gain exposure to music industry professionals.
- Connect with a community of supportive songwriters.
- Receive feedback to grow your craft.
- Win valuable prizes to advance your music career.