Proteus Music Contest

Submissions for the 2024 Proteus Music Contest are open Aug 22 - Sept 19.

1. To submit for this contest, you must complete this Google form: https://forms.gle/VgNAkvm9MZzjgePJ6
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 12:00am August 22, 2024 through 5:00pm September 19, 2024. Any submissions received outside of this timeframe will not be reviewed nor considered. 

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
2- Audience Voting & Finalist Selection
3- Finalist Competition Concert

Submissions are accepted online from August 22, 2024 to September 19, 2024. After submissions close they will be available online for audience voting. The submission with the most audience votes will move forward to the finals as the “audience favorite” and the selection committee will choose the remaining 4 finalists. The five finalists will then perform for a live audience at Proteus Festival, where the winner will be selected by a panel of music industry professionals. The grand prize is a headlining concert in the Live at The Z Music Series and a recording session in The Z’s recording studio.

Submissions are accepted starting 12:00pm EST on Thursday, August 22, 2024 through 5:00pm EST on Thursday, September 19, 2024

Audience voting will be live at https://thez.org/proteusmusiccontest/ starting 12:00pm EST Monday, September 23, 2024 through 12:00pm EST Sunday, September 29, 2024

The Audience Favorite and additional Finalists will be announced on Monday September 30, 2024

The Proteus Festival Music Contest Finals will take place Friday, October 4, 2024

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 4, 2024.
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.

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.
2. Once the entry has been successfully received by the contest the Entrant is free to publish or post it publicly.
3. Video Submissions should be less than 6 minutes and feature a live performance of a single song by the Entrant.
4. 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 or edited audio or video may be deemed ineligible.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. All artists who perform in the submission video must be available to perform for the finals. Exceptions may be made for issues related to public health or force majeure and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.
8. 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.
9. Submissions may be under review for up to three business days before appearing live for voting. All videos will be uploaded before the start of audience voting.
10. The Proteus Music Contest and the finals concert on October 4, 2024 are family-friendly events. Therefore, submissions should refrain from including 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 elizabeth.terrell@thez.org

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
   1. Five (5) 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.
      2.    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
   1. 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
   1. The finalists will be judged solely on their individual performance at the Proteus Music Contest Finals Concert.
   2. The winner is selected by the total numerical score of the judge sheets. The finalist with the highest score is the winner.
   3. In case of a tie for the highest score, a winner may be determined through additional discussion with the judges and representatives of The Z. The Z may also determine there is a winner and a runner-up, or there may be 2 winners.
4. Prizes
   1. The winner will receive:
      1. A headlining concert in The Z’s Live at The Z Music Series to take place April 25, 2025
      2. 8-hours of recording time Sponsored in part by Soul Haven Studios. Soul Haven Studios will provide 4 hours of studio time to the winner of the Contest, plus 4 hours at The Z! These hours can be used at Soul Haven Studios or The Z’s recording facilities according to availability and must be used on or before April 15, 2025.
      3. Music Video Package Sponsored by Robert DG Films. Robert DG Films will provide video production services for the creation of one music performance video for the winner of the Contest according to the following parameters:
         1. Final video length not to exceed the total duration of the song being filmed. Filming will be done in conjunction with the recording services provided by Soul Haven Studios. This means the video and audio recording will take place simultaneously. Must be used on or before April 15, 2025
   2. A Runner-up may also be selected and will receive a supporting performance slot in The Z’s season and a recording session at The Z.
   3. All finalists will receive a complimentary a one-hour coaching session with Big Juicy Entertainment in preparation for their performance in the finals. The winner will work with Big Juicy Entertainment in producing their concert at The Z.
5. Travel
   1. 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.