welcome all singer-songwriters!

want a chance to appear on stage at uptown! knauer performing arts center? 

Applications open now through june 16th only

ENTER today!! 

JUDGES

• Cara Corridoni – Editor-in-Chief, Hello, West Chester
• Chris Cotter – Award-winning Producer and Founder of TribeSound Productions
• Terry Klinefelter – Classical and Jazz artist, composer, arranger, and pianist
• Joanna Mangiovillano – Musical Artist, Educator, Coatesville Area School District 
• Christine Razzano – Account Executive, Beasley Media Group     

GENERAL DETAILS (for complete details, please read Rules and Regulations below) 

• Must be a solo artist Singer Songwriter, 16 years of age, or older

• Must submit non-refundable $25 entry fee

• Must submit complete application by June 16, 2023 (no extensions!)

CONTEST PRIZES

Nine semi-finalists will be invited to perform at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Univest Cabaret. Six finalists will perform on the Mainstage at Uptown. One Grand Prize Winner will be announced.  

The Grand Prize Winner will receive:

• $1000 Gift Certificate to Taylor’s Music Store and Studio
• $250 credit toward a recording studio session at TribeSound Productions
• An opportunity to open for an artist at Uptown this year
• Four complimentary tickets to Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
• Gift Bag 

Eight semi-finalists will each receive:

• $50 Gift Certificate to Taylor’s Music Store and Studio
• Two complimentary tickets to Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center 

 

 

1. The Taylor Made at Uptown! Singer Songwriter Contest is open to all singer songwriters and co-songwriters. A song may be co-written, but only one artist may perform. Contestants that are or have ever been part of a staff writing deal with a publishing company or those that obtain the majority of their income from songwriting may not enter. No songs under professional contract or any that have been previously published can be submitted. 
2. Only original songs that can be performed solo and live may be submitted. Entries cannot infringe any copyrights or other third party rights. Entries may have multiple co-writers, but only one name should be designated on the entry form. Each contestant, upon entering, guarantees that they have the absolute right to enter (including approval from non-contestant co-writers). By entering, the contestant agrees to indemnify and hold Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center (UKPAC) and/or Taylor’s Music Store and Studio harmless from and against any claims inconsistent with the aforementioned.
3. Song entries cannot be more than five minutes in length. Entries over five minutes in length will not be considered.
4. Contestants must submit no more than TWO original songs via electronic files (mp3, preferred) or links to platforms like Spotify or YouTube. The links must be public and not require a password or email to open. It is the contestant’s responsibility to ensure that the submitted song(s) are complete and playable. UKPAC and/or Taylor’s Music Store and Studio are not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, stolen, or misappropriated files. Deadline for submission is June 16, 2023.
5. All qualified entries received by the deadline will be reviewed, and thirty will be submitted to the first round of judges.  The judges will each choose nine entries to submit as semi-finalists. The judging committee will consist of local music industry professionals, including record label executives, producers, and artists. Songs will be judged on melody, composition, originality, lyrics, and most importantly, artistry. 
6. Of all entries judged, 9 semi-finalists will be chosen based upon their score. All nine must be available to perform on at least two of these dates at Uptown’s Univest Cabaret – July 5, 12 and 19, 2023, at 7PM, at Uptown’s discretion and a contestant substitution may be required once the schedule is filled; and if selected, on August 9, 2023 for the final performance. The semi-finalists and finalists will perform two songs, in a 15-20 minute set. One song must be original, one cover song will be allowed. Should a semi-finalist be unable to perform at the Cabaret performance or the August 9 Mainstage performance they will be disqualified from the competition and an alternate performer will be chosen. Audiences will select two winners at the semi-finalist level each performance, and 6 finalists will move to the next round. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected at the final performance on August 9, 2023 from the six semi-finalists, based on audience voting, plus judges’ scoring. Judges will attend the live performances at their discretion. Semi-finalists and finalists are permitted to sell merchandise at their performance and will retain the full income. 
7. All prizes will be awarded to the first name as it appears on the entry form, and division of prizes among co-authors is the responsibility of winners. UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio do not give feedback or a critique to contestants. Scoring will not be made public. 
8. The top 9 semi-finalists’, and 6 finalists’  names, song titles and links will be posted on the UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio websites, and will be promoted via social media, email and flyers. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced the night of August 9, 2023.  
9. Each semi-finalist and finalist will be notified by email or phone and will be required to sign an affidavit confirming that the submitted song is original and he/she/they hold rights to the song. Failure to sign and return the form within the required time period or provision of false information may result in disqualification and an alternate finalist may be selected. Affidavits are subject to verification by UKPAC, Taylor’s Music Store and Studio and their agents. Entry constitutes a non-exclusive license for permission to use finalist’s name, likeness and voice for future advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation.
10. Should a contestant’s song(s) be selected as a top 9 semi-finalist, or top 6 finalist, he/she/they agree that the UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio shall have the right to include the semi-finalist’s and finalist’s and winning song(s) for promotional purposes in the marketing efforts of UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio.
11. Contestant understands that all songs entered may be distributed to judges selecting the top 9 semi-finalists, the top 6 finalists, and Grand Prize winner, and agrees to release, indemnify, and hold UKPAC, Taylor’s Music Store and Studio, its sponsors, and judges harmless for liability, damages, or claims for injury or loss to any person or property relating to, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, participation in the contest.
12. By entering this contest, contestants agree to accept and be bound by the decisions of UKPAC, Taylor’s Music Store and Studio, and its judges which are final and binding in all matters. Contestant agrees to be bound by all terms of these official Rules and Regulations as established herein.
13. UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio employees and committee members are not eligible to enter.
14. Contestants must be at least 16 years of age to enter the Competition.
15. The entry fee to enter the Competition is Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per participant. 

 

CONTEST PRIZES

Nine semi-finalists will be invited to perform at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Univest Cabaret in front of a live audience, seating capacity of 80. Six finalists will be invited to perform on the Mainstage at Uptown on August 9, 2023. Univest tickets to the performances will be sold by Uptown for $20, first come-first seated, and tickets will go on sale the day the nine semi-finalists are announced. Tickets to the final Mainstage performance will be $25, on-sale now. 

The Grand Prize winner will receive:

• $1000 Gift Certificate to Taylor’s Music Store and Studio
• $250 credit toward a recording studio session at TribeSound Productions
• An opportunity to open for an Uptown artist this year
• Four complimentary tickets to Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
• Gift Bag 

Eight semi-finalists will each receive:

• $50 Gift Certificate to Taylor’s Music Store and Studio
• Two complimentary tickets to Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center 

No transfer or substitution of prizes will be accepted, except as necessary due to availability, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. If it is necessary to substitute a prize, UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio reserve the right to give the winner an award of equal value. All winners agree to release UKPAC, Taylor’s Music Store and Studio and sponsors including: TribeSound Productions, LLC, from all liability regarding prizes won. All federal, state, and local taxes, and customs fees, when applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winner. UKPAC and Taylor’s Music Store and Studio will not pay taxes on behalf of the winner.

How To Enter

All entries have two parts, the online application fee, and the online application form.  Please submit both on the same day to be qualified.

Go HERE TO SUBMIT $25 APPLICATION FEE

Go HERE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM

Entries will be accepted May 24, 2023 – through June 16, 2023 by midnight. No late entries will be accepted.  

To be considered, each entry must include:

1. One completed entry form with contestant’s original signature, or e-signature. 
2. Entry fee of $25. Fee is not refundable under any circumstances. 
3. Attached mp3 files, or links to the song entry, clearly marked with your name after the song title in parenthesis. Entries without names will be immediately disqualified.
4. Ensure all personal information, including phone number and email address, are entered accurately. Submissions found with false information will be immediately disqualified from consideration. Minors submitting songs for consideration MUST have contact information of a parent and/or legal guardian. 

Good luck AND we can’t wait to hear from you! 

 

Questions? Please read through the above description and Official Contest Rules and Regulations carefully. If you have additional questions, email us info@UptownWestChester.org with “Singer/Songwriter” in the subject line. We will reply as quickly as possible. No late entries will be permitted due to delayed email responses.