GENERAL
APPLIES TO ALL SECTIONS

Aim of SCALA’s FOOM Song Competition is to encourage the writing of new material. 
Original songs can be entered in any style.

1. There is a limit of two songs per songwriter in the Live section only. There is no limit on the number of entries in the Demo Unreleased, Instrumental or Lyrics/Libretto sections but each song must be accompanied by an Entry Form correctly completed with the correct entry fee. Collaborators may also enter individually penned songs in conformity with this rule. The same song may not be entered in more than ONE section.
2. Songs must be original and the entrant must sign the copyright declaration on the entry form. The entrant agrees to indemnify the organisers of the competition from any copyright claims which might arise from infringement of copyright laws.
3. Songs must not be previously recorded for commercial distribution or radio airplay (including independent release), offered for commercial download, published, be subject to recording or publishing agreements or have won prizes in other competitions.
4. Entrants living outside South Australia are recommended to consider entering only the Demo Unreleased, Instrumental or Lyrics/Libretto Only Sections.
5. Except in the Lyrics/Libretto Section, songs or music should be no more than 6 minutes long.
6. The songwriter can nominate another person or persons to perform the song in the Live category.
7. All entries to be submitted online via the FOOM Online Entry Portal Song Central site where recordings and lyrics can be uploaded, and entry payment made online.
   NB: Online SCALA membership payments can be made through the SCALA website.
8. Judges are instructed to first judge the quality of the song as it is presented to them. This will include taking into account the overall presentation of the song. Judges reserve the right to not choose a winning song in a section if, in their view, there is insufficient overall quality in that section. The judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. The competition organisers reserve the right to interpret these rules as they see fit and these interpretations are final.
9. By entering FOOM and providing your email address, you consent to your email address being added to SCALA’s mailing list. This allows us to keep you informed about FOOM updates, SCALA events, and related opportunities. You may unsubscribe at any time by emailing scalafoom@gmail.com

CATEGORIES

Live Performance Section
Live Performance heats will be held at SCALA’s Performance Venue at The Jade, 142-160 Flinders Street, Adelaide, South Australia on Thursday 7 August, Thursday 14 August, Thursday 28 August, Thursday 4 September, Thursday 11 September 2024 commencing at 7:30pm. SCALA will determine the number of heats depending on the number of entries received. Finalists will be selected from each heat with the winning songs judged in the Live Performance Final on the evening of Saturday 20 September 2025 at Trinity Sessions, 318 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Park commencing at 7:30pm. Entrants in the Live section must be available to perform their songs (or have arranged someone else to perform the song) on any of these dates. Entrants will be advised of the date of their heat via email. Entrants in each heat and in the final must also comply with registration and running order instructions of the organisers.
For staging reasons there is a maximum of TWO performers on stage per song. Each performer may play any number of instruments and there is no restriction on multi-voice keyboards, loop devices or MIDI equipment but any equipment used must be set up within the time limits outlined in Rule 11. Full drum kits and elaborate keyboard/synthesizer instrumentations are NOT recommended because of the time taken to set up. Excessive instrumentation is not encouraged. Backing audio must not be used. Songwriters with backing audio should consider entering the Recorded section.
Performers have a six and a half minute limit in which to perform their songs including any introduction and setup.

Demo Unreleased Section
Recorded songs must be of a good quality so that they can be judged audibly and clearly. There is no limit on the number of performers or instruments used on the recording. This section will be prejudged and, subject to these conditions, the winner/s will be announced at the Live Performance Final Saturday 20 September 2025.

Instrumental Section
Recordings must be of a good quality so that they can be judged audibly and clearly. There is no limit on the number of performers or instruments used on the recording.
Entries in the Instrumental section will not have lyrics. This section will be prejudged and, subject to these conditions, the winner/s will be announced at the Live Performance Final Saturday 20 September 2025.

Lyrics/Libretto Section
Lyrics/Libretto must be original. This section will be prejudged and, subject to these conditions, the winner/s will be announced at the Live Performance Final Saturday 20 September 2025.

The winning songs from the Live, Instrumental and Demo Unreleased sections may be released as digital downloads – subject to Agreement between SCALA and the songwriter/s.
See the full list of major prizes below.

PRIZES