Songwriters Sending In Florida Tunes
Published: Jun 24, 2007
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The entries are coming in. Unfortunately, many of them are incomplete.
Florida Music Educators' Association reports it has received 19 would-be state songs since the search for a new Florida anthem opened five weeks ago.
Only 11 were attached to completed applications and therefore eligible to win "Just Sing, Florida!" - the contest that a leading state lawmaker is calling Florida's version of "American Idol."
A common mistake has been to send in one CD instead of the required seven copies, which will be distributed to the judges.
Entrants have until Oct. 1 to postmark their completed submissions. Information on how to enter is available at www.justsingflorida.org.
Organizers expect a rush of entries close to the deadline, said Katherine Mason, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit music association, which is running the contest. She's answering general queries from the public and says she has received calls from musicians and songwriters in Tampa, Orlando and Miami.
"We're trying to be a resource and help people along the way," she said.
A common comment has been: "I have a song but no one to record it," Mason said. She suggested one caller call Florida State University and ask for help from the music department. Others, she said, can check the Yellow Pages for musicians who can help with recording.
"We like when they contact us," Mason said. "We'd rather they send an e-mail or call and contact us than to send an incomplete application."
Contest rules call for songs to be burned onto CDs. Other rules are listed on the contest Web site.
The music association is working to appoint a panel that will narrow the candidates to three and post them online. Then Floridians can listen to the finalists and vote for their favorite on the Web. The winning song will go into a legislative bill, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Hill, D-Jacksonville, next year.
Hill is leading an effort to find a replacement for the state song Florida has had since 1935, "Old Folks at Home," better known as "Swanee River." It's a famous tune, but critics say its allusions to plantation life and "darkeys" are racist; neither Gov. Charlie Crist nor former Gov. Jeb Bush used the song in their inauguration or any other ceremonies, their aides say.
Anyone who lives in Florida and has a new song or permission to nominate a song from someone else can send a CD to Florida Music Educators' Association, Attention: Just Sing, Florida!, 402 Office Plaza, Tallahassee FL 32301.
If you have general questions about the contest, call Mason at (850) 386-9100 or e-mail her at kmason@rboa .com. If you have technical inquiries about what kind of music is eligible, send an e-mail to info@justsingflorida .org.
Reporter Gretchen Parker can be reached at (813) 731-1789 or gparker@tampatrib.com.
TO SEND A SONG
Just Sing, Florida! is accepting state song submissions that are:
•About three minutes in length.
•A vocal range that does not exceed a ninth (one octave plus major second).
•Suitable for group singing as well as for a soloist.
•Inclusive lyrics appropriate for a state song.
•Written in music notation, including a lead sheet containing a minimum of melodic line, lyrics and chords.
A completed application should include:
•One original song with original lyrics.
•Seven printed copies of the song on sheet music.
•Seven copies of a CD with a performance of the song (no MP3 or data CDs).
•Written letter(s) of permission from the copyright holder of the music and/or lyrics or your own signature on the application as the composer and lyricist.
•Contact information of the composer or lyricist, if you are nominating a song that is not your own.
