Roddy Read Songwriting Award

1. The song must consist of both original music and words and song length no longer than 5 minutes.
2. Both recorded and live performance must use no more than four sound sources, for example
i. two instruments and two vocals
ii. one instrument and three vocals
iii. four vocals and no instruments.
3. A song may be deemed ineligible if the judges believe more than four sound sources have been used.
4. Songs in a language other than English will need to include a copy of the English translation of the lyrics.
5. A songwriter, or team of songwriters may submit multiple entries, however, only one entry by any songwriter will be accepted as a finalist. (i.e. a songwriter’s name may appear on the entry form, as (a) songwriter, for only one song accepted for judging in the final shortlist.)
6. If selected as a finalist, the song must be performed live at Maldon Folk Festival by either the songwriters or by performers nominated on the entry form.
i. Concert time is subject to change, please refer to the Festival Program.
ii. If a performer is not present in time to perform an entry, judging will be postponed no longer than 5 minutes from the finish of the last performance.
7. Recordings of the song must not be commercially available for sale prior to the Friday of the Maldon Folk Festival.
8. The song must not have won a prize in any other songwriting contest.
9. Previous winners of the ‘Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Award’ are not eligible to enter.
10. The judges’ decision is final, and the contestants retain no right of appeal or discussion.
i. Entries will be prejudged to determine up to fifteen songs to be performed at the finals concert on the Saturday of the festival.
ii. The finalist entrants will be notified by email / telephone by COB Monday 14th October 2024.
iii. The finalist entries will be judged from live performances at the Maldon Folk Festival on the afternoon of Saturday 2nd November 2024, with the winner announced at the concert conclusion.
iv. Presentation of the prize and a performance of the winning song will occur on the main stage on Sunday 3rd November 2024. In order to facilitate this, the entering songwriter and the performers must be able to attend the finals contest at the Maldon Folk Festival on Saturday 2nd November 2024 and Sunday 3rd November 2024 at their own expense.
11. Entry for the Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Contest can be only be made via this online form. The closing date is 5pm AEST, Friday 13th September 2024.

Please make payment by direct deposit to:
Bendigo Bank
Maldon Folk Festival Inc
BSB: 633-000
Account Number: 122686983
Description for statement – RR & (your surname)

Condition 12 Acceptance:
Tick here to accept condition 12 of the Terms and Conditions of Entry as stated below. ..........................
The songwriters and performers assign to the organisers of the contest and the Maldon Folk Festival Committee, the right to use the entry recording or a recording of the song during its performance in this contest to promote the Maldon Folk Festival, or the Roddy Read Memorial Songwriting Contest itself, without recompense to the songwriters/composers or performers. In this event reasonable efforts will be made to notify of distribution of their material.
i. Entries will not be returned and may be retained for the purposes of promoting the Festival or the contest.