1. Each song must have a separate entry.

2. Each entry must include:
(a) Completed entry form (or photocopy). All signatures must be original.
(b) Audio Cassette(s) or CD containing 1 song only, 5 minutes or less in length.
(c) Lyric sheet (please include English translation if applicable).
(d) Check or postal money order for US $20.00 (US currency only). Checks and money orders should be payable to City of Batavia/Art In Your Ear. Checks that bounce will result in automatic disqualification.

3. All entries must be postmarked by September 12, 2008. Any entries received postmarked after September 12, 2008 will not be considered. Art In Your Ear Amateur Songwriting Contest is not responsible for returning any materials, tapes or CD’s. If you submitted an entry before the original July 15th deadline, we will retain your entry for the new deadline, unless you notify us you wish to withdraw and have your check returned.

4. Payment is non-refundable. Each category must have at least 10 submissions in order for there to be judging and prizes awarded in the category. The categories for 2008 are as follows:
* Pop/Rock
* Country/Cowboy – We’re merging this with our “broken –hearted” category from last year, and yes, you can include your dog, your truck, or your mother
* Folk/Protest
* Hip Hop/Rap
* Gospel/Spiritual/Inspirational

5. Mail all entries to: Art In Your Ear Amateur Songwriting Contest, c/o City of Batavia, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, Il 60510 www.cityofbatavia.net 630-454-2000

6. All songs submitted must be original and contestants must hold all rights to the song(s) submitted. By submitting an entry, contestants certify that the work submitted is original and that they hold all rights, including the right to perform or have the song performed at the finals recital on August 2, 2008 in Batavia, Illinois. Contestants further agree to hold harmless and indemnify the City of Batavia, Hix Bros. Music, Art In Your Eye Festival, Art in Your Ear Amateur Songwriting Contest and/or O’Brien’s Hospitality, Inc. as well as their agents and employees for any and all monetary liability, including but not limited to attorney's fees, that may incur as a result of the entry of the song(s) in this contest. Art In Your Eye Festival, Art in Your Ear Amateur Songwriting Contest, the City of Batavia, Hix Bros. Music, O’Brien’s Hospitality, Inc. will not be responsible for prizes donated by sponsors. Sponsors are responsible for providing prizes to winners.

7. Contestants may enter as many songs as desired but each entry requires a separate entry form, entry fee, cassette or CD, and lyric sheet. Songs may be submitted in multiple categories on one entry form. Songs may be submitted without musical accompaniment.ONE CHECK FOR MULTIPLE ENTRIES IS PERMITTED. The entry fee is non-refundable. Do not send any publicity, business cards, etc. Your submission should include only your entry form, check/money order, tape/CD, and lyric sheet.The sponsors are not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, postage due, stolen, or misappropriated entries. Cassettes, CDs and lyrics are destroyed and will not be returned.

8. This competition is open to AMATEUR SONGWRITERS ONLY regardless of nationality or origin, worldwide. There is no geographical limitation. Only previously unrecorded and non-commercially released (exception: independent releases that are sold only at artist's gigs or on their website; less than 3,000 total printed/sold.) are eligible for the contest. Contestants collecting an income of under $5000.00 a year on songs recorded through royalties are to be considered amateur songwriters. Entrant’s song must be original and entrant must hold the rights to the song. Failure to sign the entry form that contains certification of the above will result in immediate disqualification.

9. If entrant is under 18 years of age, the signature of a parent or guardian is required. Employees and families of the Art In Your Ear Festival committee, the Art In Your e Ear Amateur Songwriting Contest committee, Hix Bros. Music, O’Brien’s Hospitality, Inc., and/or the judges are not eligible.

10. 3 finalists from each category will be chosen by the Art In Your Ear committee. The judges (all of whom are professional musicians) will determine the winner in each category and the Grand Prize. Songs will be judged equally on originality, lyrics, melody, and composition, NOT ON THE QUALITY OF THE RECORDING OR PERFORMANCE. Applicants whose songs are chosen to be in the final recitals will be notified by September 26, 2008. Please include a phone number and/or e-mail address with your submission. Note that the performance at the recitals has no impact on the judging, but we all want to see and hear your effort!

11. There will be a winner and 2 Honorable Mentions awarded in EACH of the 5 categories, and a Grand Prize Winner determined from all categories collectively. All winners will be announced after the performance of the songs on Saturday evening, October 4, 2008 during the Art In Your Ear Recital in Batavia, Illinois. The performances will take place beginning at 7:00 p.m. at acoustically pleasing Shannon Hall (a former church) 14 N. Van Buren, downtown Batavia, IL

12. Each entrant may have up to three accompanists perform backup instrumental or vocal. The entrant will have a vocal mike and an instrumental mike or DI. There will be one other vocal and two other instrumental mikes or DIs available for backup. 2 amps, a drum kit and a keyboard will also be available. The “Earchestra” will also be available for backup if desired, and entrants can choose to have a vocalist we will supply perform the song as well.

13. All decisions are final and made at the sole discretion of Art In Your Ear. Songs may be in any language. Quality of performance or production, either of the submission or of the live performance will not be considered.

14. Prizes will be awarded jointly to all authors of any song. Division of prizes is the responsibility of winners. The winners release sponsors from all liability regarding prizes won. Shipping, handling and taxes of prizes are the responsibility of the winners. Entrants and their collaborators will retain full rights to all work submitted for the song contest.

15. Entry constitutes permission to use winner’s names, likeness (including photos at the finals) and voices for future publicity and advertising purposes without additional compensation. We’re working on getting audio on the website. If successful, we will ask you for a release if you would like your winning entry to be on the contest website.

16. Finalists will be determined by September 26, 2008, and the list of finalists will be posted on the Art In Your Ear web site (artinyourear.com) by October 1, 2008 or contestants can request a copy of the winners list by sending a SASE to Art In Your Ear Amateur Songwriting Contest, c/o City of Batavia, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, Il 60510.

17. Winners will be notified by phone and e-mail only.

18. Prizes: There will be 1 winner and 2 Honorable Mentions in each category. 1 of the category winners will be named as Grand Prize winner.
The Winner in each of the 5 categories will receive $100 in cash, $100 in gift certificates from Hix Bros. Music, a prized Art In Your Ear Trophy, and certificate.
The Honorable Mentions in each of the 5 categories will receive $50.00 in O’Brien’s Pub hospitality certificates and an Art In Your Ear certificate.
The Grand Prize winner will receive $500.00 in cash, $500.00 in merchandise from Hix Bros. Music, and 3 hours of studio time (including backup band and sound engineer), and a certificate.
Any rules that are misprinted or printed incomplete in other publications are not official and we take no responsibility for any disqualification resulting from not following the complete instructions listed above.
* The judges listed are as of the date of printing. Art In Your Ear reserves the right to substitute judges based upon scheduling or other issues and will provide judges with experience in songwriting.