L4L Songwriting Competition

L4L Songwriting Competition

Welcome to Season 1

You've got the spark — we're looking to fan the flame!

The Lyrics4Life (L4L) Songwriting Competition is transparent, inclusive, and artist-centered, and prioritizes creative authenticity and storytelling.

We're big on structure, clear about our submission standards, and pretty serious about authorship — including where AI does (and doesn't) belong in the creative process. (and for the record, it doesn't).

Because when you're here to elevate local talent and raise money for CHEO, transparency isn't optional — it's just who we are.

Keep scrolling for the full rules and regs — or if you're more of a big-picture person, skip ahead to the visual walkthrough — the whole journey from submission to the live final.

Songwriting Competition

L4L Songwriting Competition entrants must select one of three (3) categories aligned with their level of experience and professional development.

Applicants should enter the category that best reflects their current songwriting experience and level of professional activity. Heads up: L4L may reassign participants to a better-fit category based on eligibility and what's submitted. No hard feelings — just keeping the playing field level!

Every song you submit must be entirely yours. If a music publishing company owns any portion of the publishing rights, that song can't be entered. Full ownership, full stop.

All genres are welcome, but remember, we're mostly looking for great lyrics.

Youth Songwriters (Ages 13–18)

This category is designed to support and showcase young songwriters who are developing their craft, voice, and storytelling abilities.

Eligibility — Applicants must:

  • Be between the ages of 13–18 as of the application deadline
  • Submit original songs only
  • Be the primary songwriter of the submitted material
  • Have parent/guardian consent if under 18

Typical Participants — Youth songwriters may:

  • Write songs independently or collaboratively
  • Perform at school or community events
  • Share music online or on social media
  • Be exploring songwriting for the first time
  • Participate in music classes, songwriting camps, or local programs

This Category Is For:

  • Young developing songwriters
  • Emerging lyricists and composers
  • Creators building confidence in songwriting and performance

This Category Is NOT Intended For:

  • Established professional songwriters
  • Songwriters with national publishing or major label representation
  • Individuals earning the majority of their income through songwriting or music performance
Emerging Songwriters (18+)

This category is intended for developing songwriters who are actively building their songwriting skills and participating in their local music community but are still in the early stages of professional development.

Eligibility — Applicants must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Submit original songs only
  • Be the primary songwriter or co-writer of the submitted material
  • Be in the early stages of developing a songwriting career

Typical Participants — Emerging songwriters may:

  • Participate in open mics, songwriter circles, and jam nights
  • Collaborate with local musicians and writers
  • Independently release demos or early recordings
  • Be developing their catalogue and songwriting identity
  • Perform occasionally in local venues or community settings

This Category Is For:

  • Developing songwriters
  • Independent creators building experience and confidence
  • Writers beginning to establish themselves within the music community

This Category Is NOT Intended For:

  • Full-time professional songwriters
  • Songwriters regularly headlining ticketed performances
  • Writers with significant publishing, management, or label support
  • Songwriters with established commercial audiences or touring careers
Established Songwriters (18+)

This category recognizes experienced songwriters who are actively building sustainable careers through original music creation, live performance, recording, and audience development.

Eligibility — Applicants must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Submit original songs only
  • Be the primary songwriter or co-writer of the submitted material
  • Demonstrate ongoing professional songwriting and performance activity

Typical Participants — Established songwriters may:

  • Perform regular ticketed shows or songwriter showcases
  • Release music professionally
  • Maintain an active audience or fanbase
  • Tour regionally or nationally
  • Collaborate professionally with artists, producers, or publishers
  • Earn income through songwriting, recording, or performance

This Category Is For:

  • Career-focused songwriters
  • Experienced independent music creators
  • Writers actively growing their catalogue, audience, and professional opportunities

This Category Is NOT Intended For:

  • Beginner or hobbyist songwriters
  • Individuals with limited songwriting or live performance experience
  • Songwriters who are not actively pursuing professional development

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Registration is open — the stage is yours! Submissions are live through November 8, 2026. Pick your category, polish those lyrics, and throw your hat in the ring.

Enter now

Selecting Winners

How will it all play out?

L4L Songwriting Competition submission validation process is designed to ensure fairness and quality.

Performance and production are NOT evaluated.

The screening process includes:

1

Initial screening

Initial screening by the Lyrics 4 Life Team, validating completeness and eligibility of all submissions.

(don't worry, we'll do our best to reach out if something technical has gone awry).

2

Song selection committee review

The Song Selection Committee reviews all validated submissions using set criteria to create a ranked list of 9 finalists — 3 per category.

The folks helping pick our finalists? Legit music pros. We're keeping the full lineup under wraps for now, but trust us — you'll want to know who they are.

3

Finalist invitations

The top 3 finalists in each category will be invited to participate in the Live Awards Show at the HardRock Hotel & Casino Ottawa.

The top 2 finalists from each category will take the stage at the Live Awards Show — and the 3rd place finalist steps in as understudy. Because sometimes life happens, but the show must go on, and we mean that literally.

That said, practice makes perfect — or at least a whole lot better. Before the Live Awards Show, finalists will spend a rehearsal weekend at Raven Studios working with our house band to dial in their performance. No pressure... okay, maybe a little.

Under 18? No problem — just make sure a parent or guardian is along for the rehearsal weekend and the Live Awards Show. We want everyone to feel supported.

4

Audience voting

Competition Category Winners are determined through audience voting at the Live Awards Show. You have to be there to vote.

General Eligibility

The Lyrics 4 Life Songwriting Competition is open to both amateur and professional songwriters across Canada, provided entrants are Canadian citizens. Individuals under 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent.

Submissions & Entry Fees

Lyrics 4 Life Competition entrants may submit multiple original songs, and there's a nominal fee for each one. It's not about the money — it's about keeping the competition honest and funding a cause worth supporting. Win-win.

Entry fee is $20, payable through our website.

While you can submit multiple songs, Only one submission per songwriter may advance and be invited to perform at the Live Awards Show.

All submissions must be fully original and free of copyright infringement, with the entrants bearing full responsibility for proper ownership documentation, including any co-writer attribution.

Register for the L4L Songwriting Competition!

Love a good co-write? Same. Just make sure you submit under a single name — we'll work with the lead throughout the competition, and only one songwriter gets the invite to perform. As for prizes, that's between you and your co-writers. Take care of your people!

Finalist Attendance & Travel

Lyrics 4 Life Songwriting Competition Finalists must attend in-person rehearsal in Ottawa (Jan 30/31, 2027) as well as the dress rehearsal and live event (February 24/25, 2027).

*Finalists are responsible for their own respective travel and accommodation arrangements for participation... but we're working on this! Perhaps just not for this year.

Who Is Not Eligible

Employees, board members, panelists, affiliates, partners, and immediate family members of Lyrics 4 Life staff are not eligible to participate.

If you're not a Canadian citizen, that's cool, this competition just isn't for you.

SkyNet, or any other AI machine learning device, are not welcome as part of the creative process. Entries using AI will be disqualified.

Competition process

How an entry travels from submission to winner — milestones, owners, and the Season 1 schedule. A fundraiser for the CHEO Foundation.

Youth 13–18 Emerging 18+ Established 18+

drag / scroll →

Many entries open
1

Submission

Entrant Jul 24 → Nov 8, 2026 · submission window

Pick 1 of 3 categories — Youth 13–18, Emerging 18+, or Established 18+ (L4L may reassign).

Entry package
  • Your original song on your own SoundCloud (~4 min, audio)
  • Typed lyric sheet
  • Artist bio (150–300 words)
  • Promo photo + socials

Canadian entrants · fully original & owned · no AI-generated work · enter several songs — only 1 advances.

Eligible passed screening
2

Initial screening

Lyrics4Life team Pass / fail · rolling, through Nov 2026

Does it meet the criteria? Check the entry is complete & eligible — right materials, eligible entrant, original work, within AI policy.

✕ DisqualifiedIncomplete, ineligible, not original, or AI-generated — exits here.
Scored ranked by curators
3

Curating

Selection committee Song selection · Nov–Dec 2026

Curators review every eligible song and score it against the framework.

Scoring framework
Lyrics & Storytelling35% Melody & Composition30% Originality20% Emotional Impact15%

Production quality is not scored.

✕ Not shortlistedBelow the cut — exits here.
9 finalists
4

Finalists

Committee Announced Jan 14, 2027

Shortlist = 9 finalists — 3 in each of the 3 categories.

Top 2 per category → perform at the live final (6 performers).

△ Understudy3rd per category is on standby (3 total) — steps in if needed.
6 · 3 perform · standby
5

Rehearsal weekend

Finalists · Raven Studios Jan 30 / 31, 2027

The 6 finalists + 3 standby artists come together over the weekend.

At Raven Studios
  • Rehearse with the house band
  • Record the songs

In-person attendance required — prepares the performers for the live final.

★ Winners by live vote
6

Live final & awards

Live audience Feb 24 / 25, 2027 · Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa

Dress rehearsal, then the live final & award ceremony.

★ WinnersDecided by audience vote at the show — you have to be there to vote.
process step ✕ exits the competition △ understudy / standby ★ advances / wins

Season timeline

July 2026 → February 2027

JulAugSepOctNovDecJan ’27Feb
Entries · Jul 24 opens → Nov 8 closes
L4L pass / fail review · rolling
Song selection & curating
Finalists · Jan 14 Rehearsal · Jan 30/31 ★Final · Feb 24/25
  • Jan 30/31, 2027 — rehearsal weekend at Raven Studios (house band + recording; 6 finalists + 3 standby).
  • Feb 24/25, 2027 — dress rehearsal, live final & award ceremony (winners by audience vote).