Scottish Gaelic and Scots singers and bands are invited to submit a song in either language to be performed and entered into the Liet International song competition in Oldenburg, Germany on 12 December 2014.
Liet International is an annual event where singers and bands from across Europe compete to win best song in a European minority language. This multi-linguistic competition has singers attending from all over Europe including countries such as Norway, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and draws substantial media attention. The chosen act will play at the grand final in Teatre Kulturetage, Odenburg, Germany on 14 December 2014, and the winner will be announced that evening.
Any style of music is allowed so long as the song is newly composed and has not been widely published or promoted to date.
Artists can submit 1 song between 3 – 24 October 2014. A panel of experts from Creative Scotland, BBC ALBA/Scotland and the music industry will select one song to represent either Gaelic or Scots language at the event. They will receive up to £2,000 to cover their costs (flights, accommodation, subsistence) for attending the event.
To enter please visit www.lietsong.scot where you will be required to fill out an application form and supply an mp3 of your song with lyrics and translation.
This competition is supported by Creative Scotland working in partnership with BBC Alba/Scotland, Hands Up for Trad and Liet International.
Brian Ó hEadhra, Gaelic Arts & Culture Officer with Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig said:
“This is a great opportunity for a Gaelic or Scots language act to reach a wide, international audience. Scottish acts have participated in Leit International in the past and have benefited from the experience of meeting other bands who face many of the same challenges and opportunities that come with singing in an indigenous language. What makes this competition exciting is that all musical genres partake in this event from folk to metal, pop to classical. Win or loose, all acts enjoy the opportunity to perform on an international stage which, on the night, is broadcast and webcast live across the globe.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Open to Scottish based or born acts except employees of Creative Scotland, BBC Alba/Scotland, Hands Up for Trad and their immediate families, their agents or anyone professionally associated with this promotion.
- Acts must not be under contract with a major record label or publisher
- All artists must be aged 18 or over
- The chosen act will play at the grand final in Teatre Kulturetage, Odenburg, Germany on 14 December 2014, and the winner will be announced that evening.
- To submit your song and complete the artist questionnaire please visit: www.lietsong.scot
- Only one entry per act is allowed with a maximum of one song
- Incomplete, illegible or corrupt entries, or those not in accordance with these terms & conditions will not be accepted
- The closing date for entries is Friday 24 October 2014.
- The winning song to go forward to the Grand Final will be selected by our panel of experts. The shortlisted entrant will be notified by email or phone within 5 days of the closing date.
- Acts are required to take part in publicity arising from the promotion.
- By entering the competition acts must be available to perform in Odenburg at the Live Final on Friday 12 December, and be eligible to travel and perform in Germany during December 2014. The act will arrange their own travel and accommodation.
- In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for an alternative of equal or greater value.
- No correspondence will be entered into.
- The Promoter will only use the personal details supplied for the administration of the competition and for no other purpose, unless we have your consent.
At Friday 12 December 2014 the 10th edition of Liet International will take place in the North-German city Oldenburg. For more information on Liet International please visit: www.liet-international.com/nieuws/liet-international-2014-in-oldenburg-germany. Following the festival on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/liet.international or on twitter
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Hands Up for Trad was formed in 2002 and exists to increase the profile and visibility of Scottish Traditional Music through Information, Education and Advocacy. Hands Up for Trad’s primary aim is to promote excellence, visibility and developing talent within Scottish traditional music through our key projects; Scots Trad Music Awards, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award, Scotland Sings, FolkWaves, Distil, Tinto Summer School and the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Follow us @handsupfortrad, www.handsupfortrad.scot, www.facebook.com/handsupfortrad