Shirley Martin Scholarship for Young Songwriters

Click here for Online Application

or Download Printable Application and Instructions

Official Rules, Mission & Application

Revised January 2018

MISSION STATEMENT

The Shirley Martin Scholarship shall be administered annually to a young adult who is actively seeking to advance his or her skills in the craft of songwriting. It is the objective of this scholarship to encourage, support and foster growth in all applicants.

SECTION 1 – ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Candidate must be a resident of one of the following counties to apply: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren, and White.
2. Candidate must be age 14 to 19 at the time of application.
3. Candidate must be a permanent resident of the state of Indiana.

SECTION 2 – JUDGING CRITERIA:

1. Applicants will be judged on songwriting abilities, not performance capabilities. Judging will focus on song components including melody, chord structure, rhythm and lyrics.
2. If the applicant so chooses, it is acceptable for the writer to have someone else perform his or her song on the demo recording.

SECTION 3 – REQUIRED MATERIAL AND DUE DATES:

Applicants must provide the following materials and entries MUST BE RECEIVED  NO LATER than 4:30 PM on June 15, 2018. Entries received after this time may not be considered.

1. A completed application. (See online application or Attachment A of printable application)
2. A brief written statement explaining how receiving the scholarship would assist the songwriter in pursuing their passion for songwriting (This is included in the online application).
3. An audio recording of one original song (written solely by applicant) with corresponding lyric sheet(s). Although demo recordings do not have to be professional, they do have to be clear and concise. Songs can be submitted in formats including CD or MP3. Corresponding lyric sheets must be submitted electronically via the online application or e-mail attachment (text file, word document, or PDF) to tjrtunes@gmail.com. Song recordings in MP3 format may be sent via e-mail attachment to tjrtunes@gmail.com, but other written materials must still be mailed to TAF by deadline.
4. A letter of recommendation from a sponsor (examples: teacher, coach, pastor or music professional.)

SECTION 4 – RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. Copyright of entry remains the property of the scholarship applicant, but physical scholarship application materials (CD's, cassettes, copies of lyrics and essays) will become the property of the scholarship judging committee unless the applicant arranges to pick up materials prior to July 31st.
2. Candidates should not submit their only copy of a recording.
3. The Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana is not responsible for damaged or lost entries.
4. It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply legible applications and lyric sheets.
5. All music and lyrics must be the original work of a single writer. Songs written by more than one author will not be eligible for consideration.
6. It is not necessary for applicants to formally copyright songs prior to submission. US copyright laws protect applicant's songs regardless of formal copyright registration. If applicants would feel more comfortable undergoing formal copyright registration, they are encouraged to do so.
7. Applicants must not infringe upon any existing copyrights or the rights of a third party.
8. The Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana, in conjunction with the Shirley Martin Scholarship, reserves the right to modify rules, regulations and recipient entitlements as necessary.

SECTION 5 – RECIPIENT ENTITLEMENTS:

1. The scholarship winner shall receive a $500 cash award to be applied towards the winner’s education, musical instrument or other songwriting endeavor.
2. Additional cash prizes may be awarded based on merit.

SECTION 6 – SCHOLARSHIP DISTRIBUTION:

1. The scholarship board of directors and/or their designees will be responsible for choosing the winners.
   
2. Winners will be announced on or about the first week in July.
   
3. The scholarship will be distributed at the awards ceremony to be held the first or second week in July. The winners must be present at this ceremony.
   
4. Top candidates will be invited to perform at the awards ceremony.
   
5. Other participants may be invited to perform.
   

STOP! Make sure your completed submission includes:

• A completed application form. (See online application or Attachment A of printable application)
• A brief written statement explaining how receiving the scholarship would assist applicant in pursuing their passion for songwriting.
• An audio recording with corresponding lyric sheet(s).
• A letter of recommendation.

QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THE SCHOLARSHIP SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO:

Tippecanoe Arts Federation
Attn: Shirley Martin Scholarship
638 North St.
Lafayette, IN 47901

or contact SAMI at www.samisong.com

or e-mail the Scholarship Coordinator, Tori Rosa, at: tjrtunes@gmail.com

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Previous First Place Winners:
2017 -- Summer Belt
2016 -- Tori Rosa
2015 -- Kelsey Patton
2014 -- Miguel Odron
2013 -- Hunter Taylor
2012 -- Briagha McTavish
2011 -- Christina Shipley
2010 -- Adriana Hudson
2009 -- Skyelar Huston
2008 -- Amanda Fletcher
2007 -- David Stanton
2006 -- Steven Arthur
2005 -- Christine Anthrop
2004 -- Adam Guymon
2003 -- Bethany Jones
2002 -- Annie Hatke
2001 -- Michael Foland