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The Contemporary A Cappella Arranging Competition Rules and Guidelines

Submission Details - page 2

For each arrangement submitted, you must include:

  1. Two printed copies of the arrangement on 8 ½ x 11 (or European equivalent) paper, collated and secured by staples, paper clips or other similar method.
  2. A completed Arrangement Entry Form with all requested information supplied. Please note that this includes arranger name(s) (“arranged by My Group” is not acceptable) and publisher information about the song (not sure how to find that information? See here for information about music publishers).
  3. We need to be able to hear your arrangement. So, you must include an MP3, WAV or CD file of the song being performed by your group, or a MIDI file derived from your sheet music editing program. We can also listen to a Finale file, so you can include that instead of a MIDI or sound file.

Applications must be received by Monday, April 2, 2007, at:

A Cappella Arranging Competition
Contemporary A Cappella Publishing
PO Box 159 (if sending via postal service)
11 Seal Cove Rd. (if sending via courier such as FedEx)
Southwest Harbor, ME  04679
207.244.7603

Judging Criteria
What makes for a great a cappella arrangement? The judges will be considering the following:

Song choice
Is it a great song? a great fit for a cappella? appealing to singers and audience alike?
Singability
Is the song performable by singers without undue difficulties? Is it fun to sing for all parts? Is the voice leading appropriate? Is the arrangement appropriate for groups in general versus just your group? Does the arrangement work live or just in the studio? Is it reasonably easy to memorize without being overly repetitious?
Listenability
Does the arrangement sustain the audience’s interest? does it have a dramatic climax? a clean and interesting beginning and end?
Originality & creativity
Does the arrangement provide a different spin on the song? are background syllables and lyrics providing rhythmic and aural interest?

Arrangements will be judged by partners of Contemporary A Cappella Publishing, Don Gooding and Deke Sharon.

Best College Arrangement/Best High School Arrangement Prizes
Each winning entry will receive a BOCA Box (maximum one per winning arrangement for songs with multiple arrangers, or one per winning arranger for arrangers submitting two or more winning arrangements), courtesy of Varsity Vocals. In addition, at the discretion of the contest sponsors,

Winning arrangers will receive a $100 royalty check, payable on signing a publishing agreement with Contemporary A Cappella Publishing, for each winning arrangement that will be included in a forthcoming songbook.

Winning arrangers may also be added to the roster of custom arrangers at the Ultimate A Cappella Arranging Service, and thus be able to win contracts for custom arrangements in the future.

Best Public Domain/Best Original Song/Best Cover Prizes
Winners of each win a BOCA 2007. In addition, the Best Public Domain and Best Original Song winners have the option of "publishing" their arrangements on the CASA web site.

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