Sign Up at 6:30 pm / Start time at 7:00 pm
Tickets are $12 Advance / $15 Day of Show / $7 Performing West Coast Songwriters Members
Be sure to invite your friends. Audience encouraged.
Please make sure that you membership is current (Smartphone photo of card is OK)
Non-members are ineligible to win (but can perform, time permitting)
Sign-up is 6:30 to 7:00 on a first-come basis, maximum 20 songs for the night, get there early if you want to perform.
Show your WCS membership card (Photo OK)and choose your performance slot
If you want to give lyrics to the judges (optional but recommended), bring copies, include your name, and give to a Location Manager at sign-up. If you can’t stay to the end to pick up your judge evaluations, you can provide a SASE and get your evaluation in the mail.
Only WCS members are eligible to compete, but non-members can sign-up if room available on the list. If you’re a non-member who’d like to perform, stand in line and tell the WCS manager at the sign-up.
If you recently joined and haven’t received a membership card yet, email Ian and request an email confirmation.
Take a photo of your membership card using your smartphone, then you will always have your membership card with you for proof!
Audience is welcome, let your fans know about the event.
There are 2 winners of the Songwriting Competition each month, Best Song and Best Song (Runner Up).
Best Song of the Month wins 3 hours of studio time from our sponsor BEN LEINBACH’S OLD BULL STUDIO and an invitation to compete in the Playoffs for Best Song of the Year and a chance to compete in the Finals. Additionally, Best song winner will be on the WCS YouTube Channel as a featured artist. Video file (not YouTube link), song title, location and short blurb with link to website/facebook should be provided to ali@westcoastsongwriters.org
Best Song of the Month (Runner Up) wins 3 hours of studio time from the renowned GAWAIN MATHEWS STUDIO.
Studio time must be redeemed within 90 days of the event. Winners are announced shortly after the end of the performances. Judge evaluations for all performers can be picked up in the lobby afterwards.
A member can win Best Song Of The Month and Best Song Of The Month (Runner Up) twice during a season (with different songs) in each WCS Location. Playoffs are in July to determine Berkeley Best Song Of The Year. In September, the winners of Best Song of the Year from every WCS Location compete at the Finals for WCS Best Song of the Year. Three winners are chosen to perform at the annual WCS Conference in September.
PERFORMING YOUR SONG
If you you have a backing track, give it to the sound person before the show begins.
If you have any instrument other than guitar or piano, let the sound person know before the show begins
If you are performing with other people, they don’t have to be WCS members but they do need to buy tickets.
You can have someone else perform your song as long as the WCS member is the writer on the song.
Tune your instrument in the lobby before your performance.
When you are called “on deck”, go sit in the front row with the stage manager so you’re ready to get onstage when you’re name is called.
When you get onstage, if you’re playing guitar, strum it a few times so the sound person can adjust your levels.
Announce your name and title of the song.
Performance starts at 7:00 pm and usually ends by 10:00.
There is only time for one song for each performer.
You can promote yourself (new releases, gigs, etc) or introduce your song, but, if you speak, keep it very short.
WEST COAST SONGWRITERS
WCS is one of the oldest and most active songwriter organizations in the world. WCS is a non-profit with more than 1,200 members. Membership and admission charges are tax deductible. WCS is a volunteer organization. If you can volunteer, please speak with the Managers or contact WCS. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to ask the Managers.
