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Shirley Martin Scholarship

For Young Songwriters

Official Rules, Mission & Application

Revised January 2019

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:

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.
Candidate must be age 14 to 19 at the time of application.
Candidate must be a permanent resident of the state of Indiana.

SECTION 2 – JUDGING CRITERIA:

Applicants will be judged on songwriting abilities, not performance capabilities. Judging will
focus on song components including melody, chord structure, rhythm and lyrics.
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 April 10, 2019 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. 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 scholarship@samisong.com. Song recordings in MP3 format may
be sent via e-mail attachment to scholarship@samisong.com, but other written materials must
still be mailed to TAF by deadline.
A letter of recommendation from a sponsor (examples: teacher, coach, pastor or music
professional) may be emailed to scholarship@samisong.com or delivered to TAF by deadline.

SECTION 4 – RULES AND REGULATIONS:

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
May 1, 2019
Candidates should not submit their only copy of a recording.
The Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana is not responsible for damaged or lost entries.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply legible applications and lyric sheets.
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.
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.
Applicants must not infringe upon any existing copyrights or the rights of a third party.
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:

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

SECTION 6 – SCHOLARSHIP DISTRIBUTION:

The scholarship board of directors and/or their designees will be responsible for choosing the
winners.
Winners will be announced on or about the last week of April
The scholarship will be distributed at the awards ceremony to be held on April 30th.
The winners must be present at this ceremony.
Top candidates will be invited to perform at the awards ceremony.
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.

□ 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, Justice Fuller at: scholarship@samisong.com

Or 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: