present
VOICES For HOPE FOR 2007
An Opportunity for Young Singers To Perform and Record
Professionally
for a Great Cause and Win a $500 Scholarship
Angels on Horseback, in partnership with Local United Network to Combat Hunger (LUNCH), is proud to announce a song dedicated to our cause of working with disabled children and adults through equine therapy. We are seeking a person to represent Angels on Horseback to sing and record the song. Finalists will audition live at the Granite Theater in Westerly, RI and will be evaluated by industry professionals. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship, perform the song at Angels on Horseback’s Country & Blues Benefit Music Festival (Sept, 8,9 2007), benefit dinners, LUNCH concerts, and other future events. The song will also be professionally recorded and will be the official theme song on the Angels on Horseback website. As the competition winner, there may be additional opportunities to appear in print, radio, tv and electronic media.
Rules, Guidelines and Entry Form
Rules and Guidelines
SUMMARY:
Each individual performer (ages 12-18 by May 19, 2007) will submit:
A completed Entry Form signed by a parent/guardian (if not 18 years of age by May 19, 2007)
An a capella recording (no audible musical accompaniment) of an inspirational (positive) song of the individual performer’s choosing or creation. No visual images are requested, as this competition is only about vocal talent and the performer’s passion for helping children and adults 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.
A short statement, recorded on your submission before you sing your song, stating why you wish to be a part of the Angels on Horseback’s mission.
A $25 entry fee payable to LUNCH. Note the name of the individual performer on the check or money order (No cash please).
The Voices For Hope Competition Process:
Vocal talent, expression, passion, originality, and depth of feeling are the judging factors, not the song selection or the sophistication of the recording. The entrants' recorded statement as to why they are entering this competition will also be considered.
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, of LUNCH will conduct the first tier of judging, with judges comprised music professionals from the LUNCH Ensemble and the Connecticut Songwriters Association. Fifteen (15) Finalists will be selected.
The Finalists will receive a practice copy of the song to learn for the finals audition live on stage at the Granite Theater in Westerly, RI on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 10:00am. Finalists will have at least 5 days in advance of the finals to learn and practice the audition piece.
The Judges for the final auditions will include professional artists from the LUNCH Ensemble as well as representatives from Angels on Horseback. The final auditions will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2007. The winner will be announced to the contestants later that same day.
Voices For Hope Prizes
The winner will receive a $500 Scholarship Award and be named as an official Voices For Hope Ambassador.
The winner will perform the Angels on Horseback song Live at events which may include: Angels on Horseback’s Annual Benefit Country & Blues Music Festival (Sept. 8-9, 2007), Annual Angels Benefit Dinner, LUNCH concerts and other future events (see
www.angelsonhorsebackri.com) and www.lunchensemble.comAs the official performer of the song there may be opportunities for inclusion in print, Radio, TV, and electronic media
The winner will have the opportunity to record the song professionally at the Connecticut Songwriting Academy for international release.
The winner's recorded version of the song will be the theme song for Angels on Horseback
The song for Angels on Horseback will be written and produced by award-winning songwriters Bill Pere (
www.billpere.com) and Kay Pere (www.kaypere.com) and will be included on compilation and/or single CD releases to be produced by LUNCH and also distributed during Angels on Horseback’s fundraising events, benefit dinners and music festivals as well as internationally via digital distribution. The song will also be used as the theme song for the Angels on Horseback website. Proceeds from this CD will benefit Angels on Horseback by providing assistance with specialized riding equipment for the disabled, student financial assistance toward riding sessions, renovations and upgrades to the riding center and the purchase of a medical lift system.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 of 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 May 19, 2007) who is willing and able to appear at fundraising events as the Angels on Horseback’s singer. The chosen individual acknowledges that this is a volunteer position and must be able to appear at events where the song will be sung such as the Angels on Horseback’s annual festival, benefit dinners, LUNCH concerts and other future events.
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, Recorded Performance, and 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.
Board members, staff and volunteers of Angels on Horseback (whether related or not) are not eligible to be participants in this competition.
Entry packages received after the deadline May 19, 2007 will not be considered.
Auditions will for this recording will be conducted on an annual basis. - past entrants and winners are eligible to enter again.
2. The Performance Package
Submit an a capella recording (no audible music accompaniment allowed) of any inspiring (positive) song of your choosing or creation in the recording format that is available to you - CD or cassette tape. Please introduce yourself by clearly stating your name and age before beginning to record your song. Please be sure the name of the contestant is written on the CD or cassette.
Mail, using sufficient postage, to: LUNCH, PO Box 511, Mystic, CT 06355.
Each Performance Package becomes the property of the Voices For Hope competition and will not be returned. All eligible submissions must be in English.
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 the Angels On Horseback theme song on stage at the Angels on Horseback’s Country & Blues Music Festival on September 8, 9, 2007.
Entrants shall include a spoken essay or statement as to why they feel they would make a good Voice representing an organization like Angels on Horseback. The statement may be included on your recorded submission BEFORE the song you sing.
Each Performance Package (an individual may submit more than one) requires a $25 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 LUNCH. On each check please note in the memo area the name of the individual performer.
Net proceeds from contest entries will benefit Angels on Horseback Therapeutic Riding School.
3. Additional Contest Rules and Information
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 Angels on Horseback that you are permitted to participate in this competition.
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.
Angels on Horseback and LUNCH are not responsible for human error, lost, late, misdirected, postage due, mutilated or illegible mail; and/or incorrect or inaccurate Entry Form information.
All Performance package materials will be retained by Angels on Horseback 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.
Angels on Horseback and LUNCH will not have any ownership rights to the content of any Performance Package submitted. The only purpose of the Performance Package is for competition judges to select one winning voice.
All decisions made by the LUNCH judges, Administrator, and other partners are final and not subject to inquiry or appeal.
If selected as a Finalist, you must provide for your own transportation to the Angels on Horseback Country & Blues Music Festival located in Richmond, RI and the Annual Benefit Dinner held in Rhode Island for your live performance. It is the responsibility of all Entrants, Finalists and Winner to make any and all necessary arrangements with schools, employers, families, etc. to participate in the Angels on Horseback competition and live events.
All Voices For Hope dates (e.g., competition submission deadline, judging and live judging), acknowledgement of entrants and prizes are subject to change.
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 Angels on Horseback Therapeutic Riding School, LUNCH, or any other partnering organization or judge in connection with this competition.
For those winners invited to participate in the LUNCH compilation CD, all songs, arrangements and CD placements are selected at the discretion of LUNCH.
Entrants give permission to Angels on Horseback and LUNCH to take and
use photos of any events related to this contest for promotional purposes
to further their non-profit missions.
=============================================================
ENTRY FORM
Enter by mail your Performance Package clearly marked Voices for Hope to: LUNCH, P.O. Box 511,
Mystic, CT. 06355-0511 Deadline for entries is May 19, 2007.
The Contestant:
Name:
Age (as of May 19, 2007):
Gender:
Entrant Parent/Guardian name:
Entrant Address:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Email:
How did you hear about Angels on Horseback, LUNCH or Voices for Hope? We want to know who to thank?
Your Recorded Performance:
The name and writer(s) of your chosen or original song recorded a capella (no audible music accompaniment permitted; we only want to hear your voice):
Recording format submitted: (circle one) CD or cassette tape.
Entry Fee
There is a $25 per one-song performance package. Each entrant may submit more than one complete performance package.
Please make your check or money order payable to LUNCH, the non-profit Administrator of this competition. Please note the name of the performer on the check in the memo area. Net proceeds will benefit Angels on Horseback Therapeutic Riding School. Angels on Horseback and LUNCH are non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies.
Clearly mark your name, address, and phone number on your CD or cassette tape and on everything included in your performance package.
Your Promise
I certify that I have read, understood and accept the Rules & Guidelines for the Voices of Hope Competition to benefit the Angels on Horseback Therapeutic Riding School. I warrant that I have the right to make this a private recording and submit this material for the private use of the judges, and this submission does not in any way infringe upon the rights of any third party.
Signature & Date:_____________________________________________________Date_______
If entrant is under 18 years of age (at May 19, 2007), the signature of a parent or guardian is required.
Signature & Date:_____________________________________________________Date_______
Parent or Guardian
VOICES FOR HOPE PARTNERS
Angels on Horseback Therapeutic Riding School
Our Mission Statement:
“Angels on Horseback Therapeutic Riding School, Inc.” is a therapeutic program that uses equine assisted therapy for children and adults with mentally and physically challenging conditions. Such conditions include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, muscle weaknesses, autism, multiple sclerosis, globally delayed, speech impairments and sensory issues. It is where humans and animals benefit from one another. Our goal is to improve the lives of these children and adults with animal assisted therapy in conjunction with their medical treatments. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Angels on Horseback has developed a new, friendly and most importantly, effective therapy program for disadvantaged children and adults. A team of volunteers from all walks of life consisting of board members, trainers, coordinators, side walkers, horse leaders and instructors are dedicated to this principle. In addition to handicapped services, we open our barn doors to teen services, school community service duties, stable management classes, equine first aid courses and much more. We have a family friendly program that allows everyone to have a “fun day at the farm” and provide safe and effective therapeutic services. Our versatility of equine breeds range from: Tennessee Walking Horses, Quarter Horses, Norwegian Fjords and Morgans.
LUNCH (Local United Network to Combat Hunger)
LUNCH uses the power of popular music to produce positive social action, involving kids in music and theater productions to show them they can make a difference in the lives of others. LUNCH was founded in 1989 by Bill Pere, an internationally published writer and recording artist, who has been in the forefront of the music industry for almost 30 years. A songwriter, lyricist, and music educator, Bill is the Executive Director of the CT Songwriters Association and President of the CT Songwriting Academy. Working with thousands of kids, LUNCH has produced shows raising more than $700,000 for local social services. LUNCH follows the example set by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin who said "Do one show for yourself and one for the other guy..." LUNCH does them ALL for the other guy. LUNCH has received many state and national awards. In 1995, Bill Pere was appointed as an Official CT State Troubadour by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and was named national Independent Artist of the Year 2003. Visit www.lunchensemble.com and
www.billpere.com
The Voices for Hope Program
Voices for Hope is a public education and fundraising campaign to conduct a service-oriented music contest for the benefit of worthwhile programs which address basic human needs. The contest is administered by the non-profit organization LUNCH (Local United Network to Combat Hunger) to aid their programs helping to end hunger and homelessness as well as other similar minded 501(c)(3) organizations in New England. Additional pro bono support is offered by the Granite Theater, Westerly, RI (www.granitetheatre.com ), the Connecticut Songwriting Academy (www.ctsongwriting.com) , Sound Krayons Music ( www.soundkrayons.com ) and the Connecticut Songwriters Association (www.ctsongs.com) .
====================================================================
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
If you need further information regarding this competition, the Angels on Horseback program, or what it means to be the Voice for their theme song, contact: Tom Citak
(401) 828-7358, e-mail:
shadow542@cox.net or Aimee Gamboa (860) 334-5733, e-mail: gamboa629@hotmail.com.For questions regarding submission packages or the LUNCH program, contact LUNCH by e-mail at info@lunchensemble.com.