Voices for Hope
Raise Your Voice to Help End Homelessness

Voices for Hope is a public education and fundraising campaign that utilizes the tour of Brooklyn The Musical , in collaboration with The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, to conduct an inspirational music contest for the benefit of the homeless. The mission of this competition is to mobilize citizen talent and action on behalf of the homeless. The contest is judged by music industry professionals and administered by the non-profit agencies New Generation and LUNCH (Local United Network to Combat Hunger) to benefit their programs working to end hunger and homelessness.

Rules & Guidelines

Each individual performer (ages 12-18 by June 20, 2006) will submit:

1. A completed Entry Form signed by a parent/guardian (if not 18 years of age by June 20, 2006);

2. An a capella recording (no audible musical accompaniment – either a tape or a CD) of a song that is either a cover version of a mainstream song, or an original creation. No visual images are requested, as this competition is only about vocal talent and the performer's passion for helping people who need hope and help. Simply entering this competition is poignant evidence of the performer's passion. Please be sure to clearly state your name and age on the recording before you begin to sing your song.

The Voices for Hope Competition Process

Vocal talent, passion, originality, and depth of feeling are the judging factors, not the song selection or the sophistication of the recording.

Youth groups, houses of worship, schools, and other organizations in touch with youth and/or equipped with recording equipment are encouraged to assist members/ students/ friends to complete their individual competition packages, help raise the funds for their Entry Fees, and/or to encourage everyone to participate.

As the competition Administrator, New Generation has recruited local music industry leaders and educators to conduct the first tier of judging. Twenty-five (25) Semi-Finalists will be selected.
 
The second tier of judges will include the Broadway Director Jeff Calhoun ( Brooklyn The Musical , Big River, Grease ) and the Music Supervisor of Brooklyn The Musical John McDaniel (who has worked on multiple shows and is best known for being the Musical Director on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. Also on this panel is Jason " DJ Maestro 1 " Norfleet - Writer, disc jockey and producer - Connecticut 's premiere gospel DJ. From the twenty-five (25) Semi-Finalists these men will choose fifteen (15) Finalists.

Voices for Hope Prizes

Brooklyn opens at The Bushnell the week of June 20, 2006 . Each of the eight (8) first place winners will perform "Heart Behind These Hands" on stage with the cast members of Brooklyn during the curtain call of one of the eight performances (one winner per night.) Winners must be available to perform live on any of the performance dates: June 20 – June 25. The Producers of Brooklyn will schedule the winners' performances.

The eight first place winners and the two alternates will each receive a pair of tickets to see Brooklyn the Musical.

Voices for Hope Rules

Our society depends on knowledgeable, thoughtful and motivated citizens to build a more just society. In the belief that questions about social justice and leadership are vital to civic education, we established the Voices for Hope campaign to expand opportunities for people to make their talent and spirit of hope known.

1. Eligibility:
 
This competition is open to anyone aged 12 to 18 (by June 20, 2006 ).

An individual performer may enter as many times as he/she wishes, but each entry requires a separate and complete Performance Package, including a signed Entry Form, the Recorded Performance, and the Entry Fee.
 
Performers are encouraged to seek advice, guidance and support from friends and family, e.g., school, club, place of worship, youth group, community organization.

Employees, officers and directors of New Generation, The Bushnell, and other Voices for Hope partners, including members of their immediate family or members of their same households (whether related or not), are not eligible to be participants in this competition.

2. The Performance Package:

Each Performance Package becomes the property of New Generation and will not be returned. All eligible submissions must be in English.

Submit an a capella recording (no audible music accompaniment allowed) – of a song that is either a cover version of a mainstream song, or an original creation. Recording format can be CD or tape. Please introduce yourself by clearly stating your name and age before beginning to record your song.

Only the competition judges will hear your private recording. The judges want only to hear your individual voice. Judging will have nothing to do with your song selection or with the quality of your recording equipment. The judges are seeking the finalists whose voices can best perform “Heart Behind These Hands” on stage with the cast of Brooklyn The Musical at The Bushnell the week of June 20, 2006 .

Mail (using sufficient postage) or hand-deliver your Performance Package to: Voices for Hope, c/o The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Avenue , Hartford , CT 06106 . Hand deliver packages to a drop box at the Clinton Street entrance; use call box to alert security.

Teachers, youth group leaders, church music directors, and others who are encouraging their members to participate may collect individually sealed Performance Packages and hand deliver them to The Bushnell.
 
Each Performance Package (an individual may submit more than one) requires a $50 Entry Fee. A family, church, organization or any advocate is welcome to sponsor one or more individual performers or one performer several times. Please make your check or money order (no cash) payable to New Generation . On each check please note in the memo area the name of the individual performer.

All Entry Fee income after expenses will be given by New Generation to charitable social service organizations helping the homeless.

Charitable agencies receiving funds from the proceeds of this contest will be listed on www.brooklynthemusical.com after July 31, 2006.

3. More Competition Rules

1. The right to submit your recording may not be restricted. If you are represented by an agent or manager and/or if your Performance Package is encumbered in any way, you must provide sufficient evidence to Voices for Hope that you are permitted to participate in this competition.

2. Your Performance Package, must not defame or invade publicity rights or the privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe on any person's personal or proprietary rights.

3. Voices for Hope is not responsible for human error; lost, late, misdirected, postage due, mutilated, or illegible mail; and/or incorrect or inaccurate Entry Form information.

4. All Performance Package materials will be retained by New Generation and will not be returned to entrant. Any and all expenses incurred during the competition process, including but not limited to recording, postage, and transportation, are the entrant's sole responsibility.

5. Entrant retains all ownership rights to any original song. Voices for Hope will not have any ownership rights to any Performance Package submitted. The only purpose of the Performance Package is for the competition judges to select the eight winning voices to perform with the Brooklyn cast on stage at The Bushnell.

6. All decisions made by the Voices for Hope judges, Administrator and other partners are final and not subject to inquiry or appeal.

7. If selected as a Finalist, you must provide for your own transportation to The Bushnell for your live competition performance. If selected as one of the eight winners and two alternates, you must also provide your own transportation to The Bushnell on the evening of your on-stage performance.

It is the responsibility of all Entrants, Finalists and Winners to make any and all necessary arrangements with schools, employers, families, etc. to participate in the Voices for Hope competition and live events.

The organizers of Voices for Hope are willing to consider special appeals for transportation assistance for winners lacking these resources. Voices for Hope will make every effort to ensure that all Winners are able to fully participate.

8. All Voices for Hope dates (e.g., competition submission deadline, judging and live judging), acknowledgement of entrants, and prizes are subject to change.

9. By entering, entrants agree that they have no right to bring (and covenant not to bring) any claim, action, or proceeding of any kind or nature whatsoever against Voices for Hope or any partnering organization or judge in connection with this competition.

10. For those winners invited to participate in the LUNCH compilation CD, all songs and arrangements are selected at the discretion of the Songwriting Academy and LUNCH, and inclusion on the CD and subsequent release is subject to performance being up to acceptable standards as determined solely by The Songwriting Academy and LUNCH.  

Click here for a printable Entry Form!