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  • 08/11/2023 11:29 AM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    FAQs about entering the MASC

    How do I decide which category my song belongs in?

    You may want to listen to past winning songs to help determine which category(ies) to select for your submission. Check out our MASC Stories video series on Vimeo or YouTube for a more in-depth look at the songwriting process. Find some similar well-known songs and artists and research how they are labeled. And/or ask your friends and fans for their opinions.

    Remember that you can enter the same song in more than one category (entry fees are calculated based on one category per song, however, so entering a song in two or more categories means that additional entry fees will apply).

    How polished does my recording need to be?

    Our judges evaluate the various components and overall delivery of the song itself, not its production or performance. That being said, if your singing is horribly off-key or the rhythm is off, it can detract from the overall evaluation in a way that’s hard to ignore. Try to focus on presenting your song in its most pure and effective form.

    What about video entries? What kinds do you accept and how are they judged?

    Again, the MASC is all about the song, so we are looking for videos that best support and present great songs. We encourage you to submit any and all types of videos for all genres of songs.

    What rules do I need to know and how do I enter?

    Read all the fine print on the About the MASC page and go to the ENTER page when you are ready to fill out the online entry form.

    I started filling out the form but didn’t finish. How do I go back to where I left off?

    You can save your progress at any time. When you click on the save button, you will have the option to copy the direct link to your incomplete form and/or email the link to yourself. Once your entry is complete, you will receive a confirmation email that includes all entry and payment details.

    I want to use a credit or debit card to pay the entry fees, I don’t have a PayPal account.

    You will see the PayPal logo when you check out because the entry fees are processed by PayPal and deposited in SAW's account. But you don't need a PayPal account to pay; you can use a debit or credit card.

    What does my entry fee cover?

    Your entry fee, in addition to making you eligible for all the prizes, provides funding for many educational and networking opportunities in the art and business of songwriting, and supports DMV songwriters, other music organizations and music events through SAW programming. SAW provides emerging songwriters with performance opportunities, workshops, and peer critique. For more information about SAW, visit the SAW website.

    Still have questions?

    Email us at masc@saw.org


  • 03/15/2021 12:05 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    Anita Aysola's Heartbeat (co-written with her husband Dhanu Meleth, with videographer Cameron Mitchell) won Finalist awards in both the Video and Freedom song categories. She talks about what inspired her to write the song, how her early training in classical piano and Indian vocals influences her music now, and introduces us to ragas and sargam, and end with a bit of her song "Beyond Our Dream". Anita's website is https://www.anitaaysola.com/


  • 03/09/2021 12:04 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)
    Diana Quinn interviewing Wicked Sycamore for multiple MASC wins. Their website is https://wickedsycamore.com/


  • 03/08/2021 11:57 AM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    Our Silver Hip Hop / R&B Winner is grounded in a generational family of music and he talks about his doubts and his song "Doubt


  • 03/02/2021 4:45 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    Griefcat (Louisa Hall and Anne Nardolilli) won some prizes in the MASC. Steve Pendlebury caught up with them online to discuss the past, present and future of their collaboration. You can find more of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest conversations at saw.org. Let us know what you think and what you would like to see. 

  • 02/28/2021 4:43 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    Anne-Marie Pietersma submitted a comedic video about depression and Diana Quinn caught up with her on zoom to talk. Songwriting, comedy, mental health and the state of keeping on track in a pandemic world. She was also one of the songwriters at the Louise Goffin songwriting 5 week class that SAW sponsored this year. #depressedbutdressed


  • 02/26/2021 4:40 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    Adalia won the Gold in the MASC Video Category. We got to visit with her and find out what inspired her song "Come Home", how and where it was filmed, and how she is handling the transition from Sedona, AZ to Suburban MD. https://www.adaliatara.com/ is her website.


  • 02/17/2021 5:01 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    We stopped in for a chat with the hardest working man in local music, rob hinkal. He talks about why he entered the contest this year, the inspiration and influences behind his song unEven, how he balances his art and the rest of life, music during the pandemic and beyond, touring vs streaming, and more. rob's wife, Kristen Jones is featured as part of her excellent use of NS's electric cello in this video.

  • 02/17/2021 12:51 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    We talked to just some of the songwriters of "We Rise", written by the Music Team of Zero Hour, a youth-led climate action group. Arielle Martinez-Cohen, Andrea Manning and Gabrielle Zwi joined us from all over the US to talk about this Silver Award winning song, originally written to be performed at rallies for the Climate Justice movement.

  • 02/12/2021 4:57 PM | Kelly Diamond (Administrator)

    Diana Quinn recorded a zoom interview with Tony Denikos about his Mid-Atlantic Song Contest winning songs. Songwriters' Association of Washington is celebrating our MASC winners with these conversations. Videos for Gravity Wins and Lil' Chrome Fish are included. Tony's website is https://www.tonydenikos.com/

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