By participating in the Music Against Racism (MAR) Songwriting Competition, all entrants agree to and shall abide by the following rules and guidelines:

1. The judges of the Music Against Racism Songwriting Competition will be judging songs based on originality and engagement of lyrics, creative use of language, composition, and memorability.

2. Songs will NOT be judged on the production value and quality of performance.

3. The contest is open to amateurs and professionals, regardless of nationality or age.

4. The entries should be submitted in English or Spanish.

5. Each song has to be original work and contain both music and lyrics. Contestants must submit BOTH a recording of their song in mp3 format AND a written document containing the lyrics (in .doc, .pdf, .txt, or .wpd format).

6. As a minimum, the mp3 recording of the song must contain the sung vocal part of the entire song. Contestants are encouraged to include accompanying instruments when possible, but doing so is not required.

7. It is acknowledged that similar beats, notes, sounds, lyrics or other elements may be embodied in more than one submission and any overlap of such reasonably shared elements do not entitle any entrant to any compensation or credit.

8. If a song submitted to the contest has multiple co-writers, all names should be acknowledged on the application.

9. There is no limit as to how many songs one person or a group can enter.

10. There is no entry fee for the contest.

11. All entries must be received by no later than 11:59 pm, June 1, 2016. Any hard copies of entry material submitted WILL NOT BE RETURNED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. DO NOT SEND YOUR ONLY COPY.

12. Contestants retain all publishing rights to their song(s).

13. Contestants agree that if their song is a winner of the contest, the sponsors and organizers of MAR will have the right to the use of their names and likeness for purposes of promotion or education as well as their musical compositions and lyrics in recorded and/or written form for purposes of promotion or education. All profits from sales of the song recording will be donated to the MAR project.

14. Winners of the contest will receive the following prizes. First prize: $400, song included on Music Against Racism CD, and a music video will be made for the song. Second prize: $200. Third prize: $100. An awards ceremony will be planned at a later date and second and third prize songs may also be included on the CD compilation.

15. Competitors should send their recordings and documents by email to:  sjhutchi AT syr DOT edu. Postal correspondence should be sent to: Sydney Hutchinson, Bowne Hall 308, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.