ABOUT THE CONTEST

The Proteus Festival Music Contest is for emerging and early-career musical artists. The contest is hosted in 3 stages:

1. SUBMISSIONS
   • Virtual submissions are accepted starting 5:00pm EST on Tuesday August 12, 2025 through 5:00pm EST on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
2. AUDIENCE VOTING & FINALIST SELECTION
   • Voting will be live 12:00pm EST Friday, September 12, 2025 through 12:00pm EST Sunday, September 21, 2025
   • The submission with the most audience votes will move forward to the finals as the “audience favorite”. A selection committee will choose the remaining 4 finalists.
   • The Audience Favorite and additional Finalists will be announced by The Z on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
   • Voting will be hosted at https://thez.org/proteusmusiccontest/
3. PROTEUS MUSIC CONTEST FINALS CONCERT
   • Finalists will perform live on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 7:30pm at Zeiders American Dream Theater
   • A winner will be selected at the end of the concert by a panel of industry music professionals. 
   • BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
     • All tickets are General Admission
     • Pick Your Price: $5, $10, $15, $20 or $25 

1. All ages are welcome! Please note that any entrant deemed a minor according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia will be required to obtain and submit written permission from their parent or legal guardian to participate in the contest.
2. Entrants may not be currently signed to a recording contract with national distribution.
3. Entrants must be residents of the U.S. The Z is unable to support special visas in support of any performances arising from this contest.
4. Entrants must be available to perform at the Finals concert on Friday, October 10, 2025. 
5. The Z is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community. The Z’s artistic staff may reject any submission deemed not in line with this policy, such as entries with messages that are derogatory toward other groups, based on gender, race, color, religion, age, nationality, disability or other characteristic. Any rejection on such grounds will be based on the perceived artistic merit of the entry in accordance with The Z’s mission and values. Any Entrant submitting such material may be banned from future contests at The Z.

Submissions for the 2025 Proteus Music Contest are open Aug 12 - Sept 9, 2025.

1. To submit for this contest, you must complete this GOOGLE FORM.
2. A submission will only be accepted if the Google form is filled out in its entirety. If any information is missing, incomplete or does not meet the submission guidelines that entry will be deemed ineligible and the Entrant will have to send a new submission for consideration.
3. Submissions will be accepted starting 5:00pm August 12, 2025 through 5:00pm September 9, 2025. Any submissions received outside of this timeframe will not be reviewed nor considered. 

1. Your video submission must be unique to this contest. In other words, it must have been created for the purpose of entering this Contest. The entry may not have been previously published or posted online or entered into any other contest or competition. Once the entry has been successfully received by the contest the Entrant is free to publish or post it publicly.

2. Video Submission Requirements

Any submissions that do not meet all of the following requirements will be disqualified.

• The video must feature a live performance of a single original song by the entrant
• Submitted as an UNLISTED YOUTUBE LINK 
• Maximum Length: 6 minutes
• Title Format: Performer Name - 2025 Proteus Music Contest Submission

3. The production value of the video will not count for or against you. However, videos with poor audio or video quality OR entries that include overly produced, auto tuned or edited audio or video may be deemed ineligible. Think live performance, not music video.

4. Entrants must be the owner of all content submitted through this contest. The Entrant’s submission to this contest serves as the Entrant’s warrant that the entry is an original work.

5. Entrants are allowed one (1) entry as a lead artist and one (1) entry as a supporting ensemble member. Any entries submitted after this number is reached by an entrant may be rendered ineligible.

6. The lead artist(s) featured in the video must be available to perform at the finals concert. All supporting artists featured in the original entry are encouraged, but not required, to perform at the finals. 

7. Submitting for this contest will serve as a media and likeness release. Any photos or video included in the entrants submission can be used for publicity and marketing including Social Media, Web and Print.

8. Submissions may be under review for up to two business days before appearing live for voting. 

9. The Proteus Music Contest and the Finals Concert are family-friendly events. Therefore, all performances should refrain from featuring adult content or strong language not suitable for children 12 and under. Please note, that the contest winner's concert will not be censored.

Remit all questions to [email protected] 

This Contest is a talent, performance, and skilled-based event. Entries and Finalists will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Melody & Lyrics (if applicable)
2. Musical composition
3. Originality
4. Execution
5. Performance

FINALIST & WINNER INFORMATION

1. Finalist Selection
   • Five (5) total finalists will be chosen from all the entries. One (1) finalist will be selected through audience voting and the other four (4) finalists will be selected by committee.
   • Finalists will be notified via e-mail and results will be posted on The Z’s website. Entrants that do not place in the contest will not receive individual notifications.
2. Finalist Performance
   • At the finals concert each finalist will have a 10-minute performance slot. The finalist may use less than 10 minutes without penalty, but if the finalist goes over the 10-minute time limit points will be deducted from their final score at the discretion of the judges and representatives of The Z.
3. Winner Selection
   • The finalists will be judged solely on their individual performance at the Proteus Music Contest Finals Concert.
   • The winner is selected by the total numerical score of the judge sheets and through discussion between the judges. 
   • In the event of a tie, judges and representatives of The Z may determine co-winners or a winner and a runner-up. 
4. Prizes
   • The winner will receive a headlining concert in The Z’s Live at The Z Music Series to take place May 27, 2026, an 8-hour recording session at Soul Haven Studios and a selection of Z Artist Membership Perks.
5. Travel
   • Travel to Virginia Beach is required if selected as a finalist and if selected as a winner. All travel costs will be the sole responsibility of the Entrant.