What is ISC?
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians from anywhere in the world are invited to participate. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry.
Win cash, prizes, recognition, and exposure!
74 winners will share in the cash and prizes! ISC is a great opportunity for songwriters, musicians, and performers to win cash and prizes, further their music careers, and gain recognition and exposure in the music industry.
Categories include: AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Americana, Blues, Children's Music, Christian, Comedy/Novelty, Country, EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Folk/Singer-Songwriter, Hip-Hop/Rap, Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Music, Lyrics Only, Music Video, Performance, Pop/Top 40, R&B/Soul, Rock, Teen, Unpublished, Unsigned, and World Music. Entrants may submit as many songs as they wish - in the same category or in multiple categories.
Click here to view descriptions of above categories.
In addition to cash and merchandise prizes, winners benefit from a multilateral promotional campaign designed to give international exposure and attention to their songwriting achievements.
Depending on the category, submissions are judged on the following criteria:
• Creativity
• Originality
• Lyrics (excludes songs that do not have lyrics)
• Melody
• Arrangement
• Overall likeability
Some categories may have additional criteria. Production/Recording quality and vocal ability are NOT criteria (except in the Performance category in which Vocals are a judging criteria).
JOIN THE RANKS OF PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Tones and I, R.LUM.R, Illenium, Vance Joy, Gotye, Bastille, Kehlani, The Band Perry, Kimbra, Passenger, Kasey Chambers, Lindsey Stirling, Kate Miller-Heidke, Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief), Fantastic Negrito, Gregory Porter, King Charles, Gin Wigmore, Andrew Bird, for King & Country, Heather Morgan, Dave Berg, Gordie Sampson, Darrell Scott, Tom Hambridge, Omar Sosa, and more.
In an age where image, hype and style have become currency, it's refreshing and encouraging to know there is a highly respected and world standard arena where songwriting is identified as the only thing that matters. It has always been about songs. An artist is only ever as good as their songs. The ISC not only recognizes this, but celebrates it and seeks to redirect the priorities of artists all over the world back to the important things. I've entered the ISC for many years and have always found them personal, organized, and passionate. I'd encourage every songwriter out there to submit their songs to the ISC - recognition for writing great songs is, after all, really the only recognition that matters."
– Michael Paynter, 2011 First Place Winner in the Unsigned Only category
