Thanks to all our Zoomers for joining us last night, especially newbies, Geof and Jack. June 20 is supposed to be a LIVE event and I’m hoping to find a venue in or around the Princeton College area where we can host an open mic round event. With that in mind, please dig out and rehearse one of your own songs that you’d be comfortable performing in front of an audience of supportive folks like yourself. Stay tuned for updates!
Congratulations to Ruth Greenwood for winning the Princeton Songwriters/NSAI Chapter Challenge. Also, to our runner-up, Andy DiMacale.
Ruth’s song will now go on to compete in the NSAI National Challenge against the winners of 90 other chapters.
We wish her luck in bringing home the top prize on behalf of all Princeton’s members!
PRINCETON/NSAI SUGGESTED SONG FEEDBACK GUIDELINES
Questions to ask yourself, not only as you write, but also after and definitely BEFORE you submit your songs for review.
What is your goal for this song?
If you were hearing this song for the first time, does the melody grab your attention from the beginning and set the tone for the song?
Is there a strong lyrical beginning that captures your attention?
Does the writer approach the idea in a unique and fresh way?
Are the lyrics descriptive and clear; showing rather than telling to paint pictures that progressively build upon the theme of the song?
Does the melody and lyrics serve the title and theme of the song in verses, chorus and bridge enough to make the title memorable?
Is there a easily understood and memorable hook?
Is there a good marriage between the lyric and melody (Prosody)?
Is the intro and outro too long, and is the entire length, structure (etc.) appropriate for the target genre playing on the radio today?
Does the song evoke an emotional response?
If you were a first-time listener, would you be enticed to listen to the song more than once?When you can unbiasedly answer YES to these questions, you will be on your way to professionally writing
Princeton Songwriter’s/NSAI Chapter Challenge
If you’d like to win a trip to Nashville, please read the following invitation carefully.
Hi All,
It was great meeting all of you at last month’s meeting.
Our next meeting is a big one! April 18, 2023 will be the annual Chapter Challenge! If you’re not yet a member, it’s a good time to join! You can join for the year, or month to month:
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/learn-about-membership
Moorestown Library
111 West Second Street
Moorestown, NJ, NJ 08057
Time: 6:45 – 8:45 pm
OVERVIEW:
Every April the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosts the “NSAI Chapter Challenge.”
NSAI members in Local Chapters across the globe have an opportunity to submit one pre-recorded song at their local Chapter meeting to participate!
Participants must be a current NSAI member and “affiliated” with a Chapter where they wish to attend and submit for the Chapter’s April meeting. (“Affiliated” means you have joined a Local NSAI Chapter and receive information and participate in that Chapter’s activities.)
To find and join a Local Chapter near you, please follow these steps:
- go to – https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/chapter-search
- click the name of the Chapter you are interested in
- That takes you to the Chapters Profile page
- You will see the Chapters information, including a teal button (pic for reference below) that says, “Affiliate With Chapter.”
- Click “Affiliate with Chapter” to join and you’re all set!
Top Winners
- The winning NSAI Member chosen will receive:
o
- An all-inclusive trip to Nashville including:
- Roundtrip flight, 2-night hotel stay (exclusions for dates of travel apply)
- A curated Nashville, Music Row, experience – exclusively customized for each writer, specific to their individual talent, inspirations, and goals
- Lunch with NSAI Staff
- Meet with Performing Rights Organization the winning songwriter(s) is affiliated with
- Meet with Publisher that’s in alignment with the songwriter’s style
- Featured spot for on a local writer’s round – “Smokin’ on the Row” at Bobby’s Idle Hour
- Travel is for two days and two nights (exclusions for dates of travel apply)
- Must be booked at least two months in advance and scheduled between Monday – Thursday.
- The two winners will also be honored on NSAI socials, as well as at the 2024 NSAI Membership Awards
TOP 20
- The Top 20 will receive:
o
- In depth Song Feedback by Professional Songwriter & NSAI Team
- Exclusive Online Pitch Event with a Music Row Publisher
- Recognition on NSAI Socials and website
Entry Rules
- No live performances will be accepted.
- Songs cannot be co-written with a professional songwriter.*
- Songs under/pending contract are not eligible for submission.
- Members cannot vote for their own song.
- Non-members cannot vote or submit a song in the competition.
- Voting must happen at the Chapter meeting — NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Late submissions will not be accepted.
Questions? Let me know!
Scott McDaniel-Erdy
215-768-8005
Princeton Songwriters/NSAI LIVE Event
Our first LIVE meeting since Covid will be Tuesday 3/21 at the Moorestown Library, 111 W. Second Street, Moorestown, NJ from 6:30 to 9 PM.
Please bring your guitar (or phone with your song) and 10 copies of lyrics. You don’t need to have a song to participate, but one way or another we will be having fun. So please join us!
Two LIVE EVENTS!
Tuesday March 18 will be our first LIVE meeting since Covid. Join us at Moorestown Library at 6:30 and bring your guitar or portable keyboard to perform your best song. You don’t have to be an NSAI member to participate.
Tuesday April 21 will be the Chapter Challenge. Join us at Moorestown Library for a chance to win by performing your best song in any genre. Anyone can attend this event but you MUST be an NSAI member to compete.
Details will be available on the Princeton Songwriters/NSAI Face Book page soon.
BIG NSAI REGIONAL EVENT IS TONIGHT!
| Nashville Songwriters Association International NORTHEAST REGIONAL EVENT Via Zoom Wed, March 1, 6-7pm EST REMINDER ABOUT OUR NORTHEAST REGIONAL ZOOM EVENT WITH JOSH OSBORNE This Coming Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm ET) ZOOM link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87685367441?pwd=T0tDNmMrTDFUNHBkZGhITmM2Z1BVUT09&from=addon rsvp below if you can….. We are delighted to share the news that the very first special event hosted by NSAI’s newly-created Northeast Region will occur on the evening of March 1, 2023 (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm ET) and feature mega-hit songwriter, JOSH OSBORNE. (See bio below). This event, which will be hosted on ZOOM, is open to all NSAI members currently affiliated with one or more of the local chapters of the region. Please RSVP to: https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/northeast-regional-zoom-featuring-josh-osborne The event will last approximately one hour, and there will be a Q&A opportunity for members with our featured guest. The Zoom session also will be recorded for the benefit of members who are unable to attend in-person. We hope to see you there! Nick Serro, Scott Forman and Sandy Murphy Coordinators: New York City Chapter |
Princeton Songwriters/NSAI February Meeting
Scott, Oliver and Bruce are looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday, February 21 7pm EST! Here is the ZOOM link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87924364716?pwd=Y3VndWxSSjFwSVdQR1c1bG9VeEY4dz09
We will have special guest- Aarron Williams- An accomplished Nashville player, producer and songwriter – And member of the critically acclaimed group “The Wonderful Nobodies” (https://thewonderfulnobodies.com/about) Aaron might even hang around for some song critiques!
This month’s NSAI-Sponsored Lesson focus on writing for SYNC!
Sync (short for synchronization) is a process where songs combine with moving images– film, TV series, adverts, video games, trailers etc. When writing for Sync, it is important to remember that the music in a scene will always be the supporting role, and its purpose is to support and compliment the mood of the narrative. Consider setting aside some time to sit and listen to your song catalog. Listen to each song closely – How makes you feel? Assign the mood you are feeling to each of your songs as another way to organize your catalog and be ready when the right opportunity comes along!
Here are some great resources provided by Amanda at NSAI HQ to get you started:
“Don’t Overthink” – Brandon Ray on Writing for SYNC (Part 1)
“Don’t Overthink” – Brandon Ray on Writing for SYNC (Part 2)
SYNC 101 – Featuring Heather Cole
The Power of Music in Film – (YouTube video – How music affects film)
“Hey! That’s My Song!: A Guide to Getting Music Placements in Film, TV, and Media” – Written by Tracey and Vance Marino- NSAI San Diego Chapter Coordinators!
We will also give SONG FEEDBACK- try to submit here (if it doesn’t work don’t worry- we will share screens like before)
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/princeton-nj-song-submission-form-chapter-meeting
See y’all Tuesday!
Trouble connecting? Text Scott’s Cell: 215-768-8005
Upcoming NSAI Princeton Songwriters ZOOM Meeting – Tuesday January 17th, 2023 7:00pm
— It is IMPORTANT to read the entire post if you wish to participate!
— “Virtual” Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 at 7:00 pm.
NOTE: The link to the meeting will be changing, so another post will be sent out.
Hello writers,
NSAI Princeton Songwriters will be having our first monthly meeting of 2023 via Zoom on January 17th at 7:00pm! You do not have to have a song to participate, so please join us.
We will hang out a bit and then (as always) we will be doing songwriter feedback of songs, members go first.
In order to submit a song, complete the form at this link by 7PM on Monday.
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/princeton-nj-song…
Our meeting link is changing, and we will send out an update.
It might be helpful to use headphones or ear buds. Video camera is not required, but an internal or external mic is needed.
We hope many of you will choose to participate and we look forward to having you!
Truly,
Bruce, Scott, and Oliver
Other Area Chapters that may be of interest –
Jersey Shore – https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/nsai-jersey-shore-nj-chapter
South Jersey – https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/nsai-south-jersey-nj-chapter
NYC NSAI – https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/nsai-new-york-city-ny-chapter
Philly NSAI – https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/nsai-philadelphia-pa-chapter
Princeton Songwriters 