Singer-Songwriter Competition

The Columbus Folk Music Society's Singer-Songwriter Competition, June 5th, 2027, at the Central Ohio Folk Festival at Bank Run Metro Park, Lockbourne, Ohio, was created to showcase songwriting and provide a venue for singer-songwriters to share their work.

The Columbus Folk Music Society Singer-Songwriter Competition is open to all amateur singer-songwriters (see point 5). There is no cost to enter. Entries are accepted from November 2nd through November 30th, 2026. Six finalists will be selected by a panel of judges from all of the entrants, to perform at the festival in competition to be the winner. Finalists will be judged on their songs' originality and overall quality, as well as their performance, and general stage presence.

The winner will receive a $300 cash prize and solo set at the festival.

Competition Eligibility

To be eligible to compete, you must:

1. Submit an MP3 recording of you performing an original song of your composition that does not infringe on the copyrights of any third parties. A maximum of one cowriter is permitted. Your voice must be the principal voice and only one instrument accompanying. No AI may have been used in the creation of this song and or the recording.
2. Submit a MS-Word format lyric sheet of the song.
3. Fill out the form below, November 2nd through November 30th.
4. Be available to perform the song that you submitted and one other original song of your choosing, live at the Central Ohio Folk Festival on June 5th, 2027, if you are selected as a finalist.
5. Not be currently under contract as a recording artist or professional songwriter.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Please read carefully. Incorrect entries will not be accepted.

• Only one entry per person and your entry must include two (2) separate attachments: one (1) MP3 recording of you performing your entry song and one (1) lyric sheet MS-Word file of that song.
• This competition is for solo singer-songwriters only. No duos or groups are eligible.
• Your name or other personal information cannot appear in the names of the 2 attached files, nor in the performance recording or in the lyrics document. Just music and lyrics, no names.
• Previous winners are not eligible to enter for 3 years, with the year of winning being the first year.
• Songs may not exceed 5 minutes in length, either recorded or performed. 3 minutes is preferred.
• Files may not exceed 10MB.
• Please submit your recorded songs in MP3 format only.
• Please submit your lyric sheets in MS-Word format only.
• While CFMS does not endorse or warrant third party services, you may find this website, or others like it, helpful in converting files to the required format: https://www.online-convert.com
• Lyrics should be family friendly.
• Performers who do not play an instrument may have one instrument accompanist, who does not sing.
• No electronic beats or looping are permitted.
• Please note that a limit of 100 song entries has been set. If this limit has been met before your entry is received, you will be notified.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION FORM AND ATTACHMENTS IS MIDNIGHT EST NOVEMBER 30TH. NO EXCEPTIONS.

You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your submission. Since the email is sent out manually, please allow a few days for the receipt to be sent. If you do not receive a receipt of your submission entry or if you have any questions or concerns about your submission, contact the competition organizer at songcontest@columbusfolkmusicsociety.org.

We look forward to hearing your songs. Good luck with your entries!

The link to the entry form will go live here, when entries open on November 2nd.