Shirley Martin Scholarship
For Young Songwriters
Official Rules, Mission & Application
Revised January 2023
Administered by
The Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana (SAMI)
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 11:59 PM on April 7, 2023. Entries received after this time may not be considered.
- A completed application. (See online application or Attachment A)
- A brief written statement explaining how receiving the scholarship would assist the songwriter in pursuing their passion for songwriting.
- 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. Song recordings in MP3 format may be sent via e-mail attachment to secretary@samisong.com. Corresponding lyric sheets must be submitted electronically via the online application or e-mail attachment (text file, word document, or PDF) to secretary@samisong.com.
- A letter of recommendation from a sponsor (examples: teacher, coach, pastor or music professional) may be emailed to secretary@samisong.com or delivered to TAF by deadline.
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 by June 1, 2023
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 $400 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: to be announced prior to MAY 1, 2023
3. The scholarship awards ceremony date: MAY 9, 2023
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)
□ A brief written statement explaining how receiving the scholarship would assist applicant in pursuing their passion for songwriting. (submitted on the online application.)
□ An audio recording with corresponding lyric sheet(s). (Can be emailed to secretary@samisong.com)
□ A letter of recommendation. (emailed to secretary@samisong.com)
QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THE SCHOLARSHIP SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO:
The Arts Federation
Attn: Shirley Martin Scholarship
638 North St.
Lafayette, IN 47901
or
e-mail the SAMI Secretary, Cheryl Fletcher, at: secretary@samisong.com
Attachment A (application) -- Click here for Online Application
Shirley Martin Scholarship for Young Songwriters Application
Name: _____________________________________________________Age____________
(First) (Middle Initial) (Last)
Address: __________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: Indiana Zip Code: ___________________
How long have you been a resident of Indiana? ______County of residence?_______________
Last school and grade attended? ________________________________________________
Phone 1: ( _____)_______________________ Phone 2: ( _____)_____________________
Birth Date: __________________ E-Mail Address: _________________________________
How did you learn of the scholarship? ____________________________________________
If applicant is less than 18 years of age, then a legal guardian must provide a signature of approval:
X________________________________________________________________________
(Guardian Signature) (Guardian’s relationship to applicant)
The applicant must complete all of the elements of the form in conjunction with fulfilling the requirements defined in SECTION 3 of the scholarship charter. By signing below the applicant testifies that all of the information provided is factual to the best of his or her knowledge. The applicant affirms that their submitted songs are original and that the application is complete. The applicant realizes that failure to provide a complete and accurate application would result in disqualification. SAMI reserves the right to disqualify any applicant who violates the rules and regulations as described in the scholarship charter.
Applicant signature: X_______________________ Date: __________
Completed applications that are mailed:
The Arts Federation
Attn: Shirley Martin Scholarship
638 North Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
