11070789_843835935700301_8038896085205793295_nEntries are now being accepted in the 32nd annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC) produced by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington. The submission deadline is Sept. 15, 2015, while the early-bird deadline is July 15.

With the exception of instrumentals, songs will be evaluated based on five basic elements: melody/harmony, lyrics, flow, structure/contrast and overall effect. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place (gold and silver) winners in each of 12 categories — including folk/acoustic, folk-rock/Americana/roots rock, country/bluegrass, instrumental, and vocal jazz/blues — while finalists and honorable mention winners also will be selected.

Gold and silver winners in each category will be invited to perform their winning songs at a gala event during which a grand-prize winner and second-place overall winner also will be named; both will receive, among other prizes, cash awards and free registration to the 2016 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) and Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) conferences. The grand-prize winner will also receive a free registration to next year’s Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) Conference. The top two songs in each category will also be included in a MASC Winners compilation CD.

For more information, contest rules and applications, visit www.masc.saw.org.

Established in 1979, the Songwriters’ Association of Washington (SAW) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to further excellence in songwriting through presenting educational programs and providing networking and performance opportunities for its members. SAW hosts open mics and showcases, workshops on the art and business of songwriting, and monthly peer critique sessions. It also publishes a monthly e-newsletter.