Posts Tagged ‘LEAF competition’
Q+A with LEAF Songwriter Competition Earlybird Finalist Erin Williams Banks
Friday, April 5th, 2024Announcing the 10th annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Showcase and Competition
Monday, February 26th, 2024The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Showcase and Competition, now in its tenth year, will take place at LEAF Global Arts Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
The performance showcase and competition is a collaborative effort between NewSong Music and LEAF Global Arts. It aims to identify and recognize exceptional performers and songwriters from across the country. Eight finalists will be invited to perform, network, and compete at the LEAF Retreat (a more intimate iteration of LEAF’s annual fall festival) in May.
The winner of the LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, selected from a panel of music industry judges, will earn a spot as one of only eight finalists at the annual International NewSong Competition, held in Asheville, N.C., in the fall. The winner will also return to the LEAF Global Arts Festival, held October 17-20, 2024, as a featured, paid performer.
Past winners include Jimmie Griffith, Noan Partly, Parker Ainsworth, and Moon Bride.
While the event is a contest, it’s decidedly not a cutthroat competition. Instead, the focus is on building a community among songwriters and sharing the magic of songcraft. “It’s a celebration of one of humanity’s oldest art forms, something that helps us all process and understand the world around us,” says NewSong Music founder Gar Ragland. This is an “opportunity to recognize talented musicians and bring new voices to a bigger stage.”
The deadline for Early Bird submissions is Friday, March 8. One early bird entrant will be selected as a finalist for the LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition. (All other early bird entries will remain in consideration.) The final deadline to submit entries is Sunday, March 31. Finalists are expected to be announced by Sunday, April 7.
“NewSong has been an extraordinary LEAF partner, creating the opportunity for many amazing songwriters and singers to perform at LEAF Festival. For many artists, this was their first big step onto a national and international stage, and the teamwork with the organizations creates ease and support. In a nod to history, these artists are walking in the footsteps of historic Black Mountain College moments and LEAF Global artists from over 100 countries.” ~ Jennifer Pickering, LEAF Global Arts Co-Executive Director & Founder
About LEAF Global Arts
LEAF Global Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to connect cultures and create community through music and arts. LEAF is composed of two key cultural arts education programs, LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International, as well as two signature events, LEAF Global Arts Retreat (May) and LEAF Global Arts Festival (October). Since 1995, LEAF has served more than 200,000 youths with programs in more than 15 community locations and in 10 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.theLEAF.org.
2020 LEAF Competition Live Performance Finals to take place Fall 2020
Saturday, March 21st, 2020The 2020 LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Live Performance Finals has been postponed until
October 24, 2020.
In the interest of public health, the Spring 2020 LEAF Festival has been postponed. We support our friends at LEAF in this very difficult but necessary decision.
This year’s NewSong – LEAF Competition will continue as planned, EXCEPT this year’s live performance showcase and competition finals will take place at the Fall LEAF 2020 Festival.
We are keeping submission pricing at the discounted ‘Early Bird’ rates throughout the submission period, and have extended the submission deadline for two additional weeks.
Stay healthy, music lovers, and we hope to see you in the fall!
From LEAF:
“During this unprecedented world phenomenon, LEAF Global Arts is drawing upon the beauty and healing power of 25 years of hosting a world gathering built on friends, family, tradition, arts, culture and MUSIC to face the gravity of how we move forward together. … The Spring LEAF Festival, originally scheduled for May 14-17, 2020 is officially shifting to combine with our Fall Festival taking place Oct 22-25, 2020 – for a special 50th Festival Celebration honoring all we hold dear about our Global Community.” Read the full statement here.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, May 4: Final deadline to enter
Monday, June 1: 2020 LEAF Finalists Announced
Saturday, October 24: LIVE PERFORMANCE FINALS to take place at the Fall LEAF Festival; Black Mountain, NC (near Asheville, held Thursday Oct. 22 – Sunday Oct 25, 2020).
Submit your songs safely and securely online at newsong-music.com. A portion of the contest proceeds will support LEAF Schools & Streets’ local cultural arts education programming.
With a mission to identify and celebrate exceptional performers and songwriters from across North America, the competition aims to bring some of the continent’s most accomplished emerging artists to showcase and compete at the 50th LEAF Festival. The LEAF winner will also earn a spot as one of only eight finalists in the 2020 annual, international NewSong Competition held in Asheville, NC.
COST TO ENTER
1 song: $35
2 songs: $60
Additional Songs: $20/each