West Coast Songwriters (WCS) presents the WCS International Song Contest. The contest is sponsored by Xytar Digital Systems

With the official Mission Statement of creating more opportunities for songwriters, the song contest is a vehicle for songwriters to create and to have their material heard by industry pros as well as the opportunity to win some exceptional prizes. Songwriters from all over the world vie for these prizes and acknowledgement in each genre. WCS membership is NOT required.

Entries must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2004, and winners will be announced April 1, 2004. Winners will be selected by an Executive Committee comprised of noted songwriters and industry professionals. The Judging Team includes Steve Seskin, Andre Pessis, Marcus Barone, Cindy Wilt, Bonnie Hayes and other Industry Pros. The songs will be judged based on melody, composition, and lyrics (except in the case of instrumentals). Three songwriters will each win one of the following prizes: GRAND PRIZE: Xytar recording/mixing/mastering system worth $19,000 at retail. The grand prize is everything a songwriter needs to record, mix and master a next record or film score and produce the next duplicatable master; Second Prize: Xytar personal/portable Traveller retailing for $3,400; and Third Prize: Shure Beta 87c (value $400).

Last year’s winner Jeffry Prince says, "We were ecstatic about winning the Contest and were also given the opportunity of a lifetime - performing at the Sunset Concert at C:C:C along with the guest Hit Songwriters in front of an amazing list of industry professionals." CREATION:CRAFT:CONNECTION (C:C:C) is the Annual Songwriters Conference that attracts an ever-increasing network of talented industry professionals and songwriting members.

Entrants are encouraged to enter as many times and in as many categories as they wish. The 16 categories are: Rock, Pop, Jazz, Country, World, Americana, Gospel/Inspirational, Blues, R & B, Folk, Hip Hop, Latin, Humorous, Children’s, Instrumental, Miscellaneous/Other. Entrants can print out the entry form from the WCS website (http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org) and mail the form, lyric sheet(s) and a CD (or cassette tape) and the fee of $20 per entry, payable by credit card, check, or money order). ALL winners (including individual category winners) will receive WCS t-shirts, and official Winner certificates. The prize winners will be announced on the West Coast Songwriters website and in WCS's monthly "NewSong" newsletter, which reaches many industry professionals. Winners will be notified by mail.

For additional information about the WCS International Contest, please contact WCS. Visit the WCS website http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org or anyone interested in more details can contact WCS by email at info@westcoastsongwriters.org, by phone at 650/654-3966 (or 800-FOR-SONG in California and Tennessee), by FAX at 650/654-2156, or by mail at 1724 Laurel Street, Suite 120, San Carlos, CA 94070 USA.