ULTIMATE BAND SERIES RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

AUDITIONS – The Competition is open to all drummers, guitarists, bassists, singers, instrumentalists, songwriters and lyricists who are 16 and older as of April 1st, 2017. Solo artists can audition for one or more categories. The main categories are singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, and keyboardists. The fringe categories can be any other instrument. Auditions are held at Sessions on the River beginning in the month of April, 2017. A schedule of dates will be released. Each contestant will play one song of their choice. This can be played with or without accompaniment. Songs can be no longer than 4 minutes. Please give your music to engineer prior to your audition.

 

HOW TO ENTER: Musicians can submit as a contestant online at www.sessionsontheriver.com or visit us at the studio and fill out a form. Forms will be available at other locations in the Niagara Region. The deadline is March 31 at midnight. Composers & Songwriters can submit their music online at www.sessionsontheriver.com beginning April 1, 2017. ** The organizers from Sessions on the River may accept or reject applications at their discretion. The entry fee for the competitor will be refunded if the entry is not accepted, but once the competitor has been notified of acceptance it will be non-refundable.

 

FEES:

Musician Fees: A $25 non-refundable fee is charged for each category entered. Your fee will be collected at the time of your audition in April 2017 paid by cash, visa, M/C or debit. HST included in fee.

Composers and lyric writers: A $5 non-refundable fee is charged for each song or lyric entered.

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PRODUCERS: Will become a team manager and will be responsible for drafting their band. Draft order will be determined by picking names out of hat. Producers will pick from pool of musicians who were given a silver ticket. There are no limitations to the number of musicians selected. There are no limitations to genre of music. Producers will then arrange for rehearsal time at Sessions on the River. Producers will have 2 months to prepare them for the next round of competition.

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COMPOSERS AND SONGWRITERS: Can submit their music and or lyrics to go into a draft pool, where producers will choose which songs their like best.

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ROUND ONE WINNERS: Winners of round one will be given a silver ticket and entered into a Musicians draft pool. A draft will be conducted by 8 Producers (Team Manager) where they will draft their Ultimate Band. 8 Bands are formed and will prepare for the Quarter Finals. Bands will select a name for their Band. Bands will rehearse at Sessions on the River or at a mutually agreed location by your team captain. Bands are given 2 months to prepare for the Quarter Finals. Each band will learn 5 songs, one song entered by a song writer and one song entered by lyric writer. Bands can choose up to maximum 3 covers songs. More points are rewarded for original songs.

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QUARTER FINALS:  Eight bands will compete in a Battle of the Bands Format. Two divisions of 4 bands will be created by selecting bands from a hat.

Division one will perform at Sessions on the River in front a panel of judges. The winning band moves on to the finals. 2nd and 3rd place bands will go to the Semi-Finals. The last placed band is eliminated.

Division two will perform at Sessions on the River in front a panel of judges. The winning band moves on to the finals. 2nd and 3rd place bands will go to the Semi-Finals. The last placed band is eliminated.

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SEMI FINALS: 2nd and 3rd place bands from the quarter finals will perform at Sessions on the River in front of a panel of judges. The top 2 bands will qualify for the finals. 3rd and 4th place bands are eliminated. 

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FINALS: Four bands will compete at Sessions on the River in front a panel of judges. The Winner will be crowned the Ultimate Band Series 1 champion.

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PRIZES: Winner of the Ultimate Band Series will get a full album (10songs) produced at Sessions on the River worth $10,000 in recording time. Album will be distributed world wide through our online partners. Band contestants will receive 1 song ($1000 value) produced at Sessions on the River and will be put on a compilation album and distributed. Standard music industry contracts will be given to all musicians, producers and songwriters. More prizes to be announced as the competition unfolds.

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JUDGING ROUND ONE (Musicians): Judging will be performed by team managers, producers and non-contestant musicians. They will be responsible for awarding the silver ticket. Musicians will be judged in various categories such as vocal quality tone, technique, ability, marketability, artistry, stage presence, timing and rhythm.

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JUDGING ROUND TWO (Bands): Judging will be done by a panel of 3 judges.

1) Music - This criterion is based on clarity, lyrical content and overall musical performance (10 points x3).

2) Stage Presence and Crowd Interaction - This Criteria is based on how well the band "rocks out" and how well the band connects with the crowd (10 points)

3) Appearance and Personality - This criterion is based on the overall look and personality. (10 points).

4) Original Material - This criterion judges the most important part of your act, your original material! Band want to show originality in both their lyrical and instrumental performance to impress the judges (10 points x3)

5) Crowd Applause - The key ingredient to rock stardom: THE FANS! (10 points x2).

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STREAMING BROADCAST: Contestants agree unconditionally that their performance(s) may be recorded or broadcast in any media form by Sessions on the River Recording Studio for use at the studios discretion wholly or in part, without payment of any fee to the contestant, to promote the Ultimate Band Series and/or to raise funds to support the Ultimate Band Series.  For the avoidance of doubt copyright in such recordings shall be the intellectual property of Sessions on the River Recording Studio.

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MUSICIANS: Must not be signed to a record deal or label.

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USE OF NAME & IMAGE: The Contestant grants to Sessions on the River and to parties authorized by Sessions on the River the following perpetual rights: The right to use and publish the Contestants name, likeness, and biographical material for advertising purposes in connection with the Ultimate Bands Series.

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MUSICIAN / CONTESTANT RELEASE AGREEMENT: agrees to hold Sessions on the River, harmless from all claims arising from the use and promotion thereof in kind, of all kind of any kind whatsoever. SESSIONS ON THE RIVER, does not guarantee or warrant any such claims to the success or failure of Sponsor/Client participation.

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COMPILATION RELEASE: Each band that is drafted is eligible to record one song for the Ultimate Band Series Compilation Album.

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