The International Songwriting Competition (ISC),[1] founded in 2002,[2][3] is an annual songwriting contest for both amateur and professional songwriters. There is no physical event to attend as the competition is held online, and anyone in the world can enter.[4][5][6] Each year the competition gives away over $150,000 USD in cash and prizes,[7][8] including $25,000 USD in cash to the overall Grand Prize Winner.[9][10][11] Additionally, ISC offers an opportunity for artists to have their songs heard by celebrity artists[12][13] and music industry executives.
Overview
Depending on the category, submissions are judged on the following criteria:[14]
- Creativity
 - Originality
 - Lyrics
 - Melody
 - Arrangement
 - Overall likability
 
There are 24 categories artists can enter:[15]
- AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
 - AC (Adult Contemporary)
 - Americana
 - Blues[16][17]
 - Children's Music
 - Christian,[18]
 - Comedy/Novelty[19]
 - Country
 - EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
 - Folk/Singer-Songwriter
 - Hip-Hop/Rap
 - Instrumental
 - Jazz,[20]
 - Latin Music
 - Lyrics Only[21]
 - Music Video
 - Performance
 - Pop/Top 40
 - R&B/Soul[22]
 - Rock
 - Teen[23]
 - Unpublished
 - Unsigned
 - World Music[24]
 
Winners
Previous winners of the ISC include:
Judges
The ISC will often have celebrity judges on the panel.[37] Past and Present judges include:
References
- ↑ "The ASCAP Resource Guide: Songwriting Competitions". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Last Call for International Songwriting Competition Entries". downbeat.com. 2003-08-22. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "A Few Questions about the International Songwriting Competition". bandzoogle.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Jack O'Rourke wins prestigious International Songwriting Competition". Irish Examiner. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Aussies dominate six categories in global songwriting competition". The Music Network. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Call for entries: 2021 International Songwriting Competition". Music In Africa. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ Courtney, Ian (2021-03-10). "The Finalists Announced For The International Songwriting Competition 2020". CelebrityAccess. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "International Songwriting Competition 2020". www.wcbe.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "International Songwriting Competition 2019 announces Australian winners | Loud Mouth - The Music Trust Ezine". 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Vance Joy wins International Songwriting Competition". www.lowdenguitars.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Tones And I Wins 2019 International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize". Rolling Stone Australia. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Tanya Tucker, Kristian Bush, Cam Among International Songwriting Competition Judges". MusicRow.com. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Record breaking number of Australian Songwriters honoured in US-Based International Songwriting Competition". The AU Review. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "2019 International Songwriting Competition: Enter Now!". Musicnotes Now. 2019-05-05. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "2020 International Songwriting Competition Regular Deadline Approaching Soon". Music Connection Magazine. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "International Songwriting Competition". Blues Festival Guide Magazine and Online Directory of Blues Festivals. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society – International Songwriting Competition". August 15, 2014. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Trevecca grads take home awards in international songwriting competition". www.trevecca.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "2015 International Songwriting Competition". AMPAL. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Shunzo Ohno wins overall grand prize in International Songwriting Competition". www.trumpetguild.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ Boyle, Conor. "Ireland's Gordon Barry Wins International Songwriting Competition". Hotpress. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ Geurts, Jimmy. "Bradenton-raised R.LUM.R wins grand prize at International Songwriting Competition". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Hastings Band Third In 2020 International Songwriting Competition". NZ Musician. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "International Songwriting Competition Announces 2020 Finalists | World Music Central.org". 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
 - ↑ "Tones And I Wins 2019 International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize". Rolling Stone Australia. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ Daniels, Karu F. "'Dance Monkey' is the 'Most-Shazamed' song of all time". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
 - ↑ Welsh, Dylan. "Where Are They Now? 9 Sonicbids Artists Who Won the International Songwriting Competition". blog.sonicbids.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ Hoogstraten, Laurie; Alfa, Ismaila (17 September 2017). "Faouzia, 17-year-old singer from Carman, Man., signed to U.S. booking agency". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
 - ↑ Manthey, Aric M. "Illenium Takes Top Prize in Global Songwriting Competiton [sic]". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Auckland teen's tribute takes rich US songwriting prize". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Tampa Bay native R.Lum.R wins International Songwriting Competition grand prize". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Vance Joy's 'Riptide' Wins Grand Prize in 2014 International Songwriting Competition". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ Cashmere, Paul (2012-05-01). "Kimbra Wins International Songwriting Competition". Noise11.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Tones and I takes out $70,000 grand prize in International Songwriting Competition | NME Australia". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 2020-05-10. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
 - ↑ "International Songwriting Competition". www.girl.com.au. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "The Altered Five Blues Band CD: Holler If You Hear Me (CD)". Bear-family.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
 - ↑ "International Songwriting Competition | The #1 Song Contest for Songwriters". songwritingcompetition.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Tom Waits Among Judges for 2019 International Songwriting Competition (ISC)". Music Connection Magazine. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Lorde, Tom Waits, Chris Cornell, Bastille to Judge 2016 International Songwriting Competition". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Lorde, Tom Waits and Bastille to act as judges for International Songwriting Competition | NME". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
 - ↑ "Tanya Tucker, Kristian Bush, Cam Among International Songwriting Competition Judges". 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
 - ↑ "Call for entries: 2021 International Songwriting Competition". Music In Africa. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2020-12-24.