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Submitting an application to the 2023 YYC Music Awards is easy.

Simply review and follow these steps:

A. Eligibility Requirements:

  • The eligibility period of submitted projects for the 2023 YYC Music Awards must have release dates between March 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023. This time frame will be strictly enforced, and we will not accept submissions for materials released outside this time frame. ** Nominees for the 2022 awards may not submit the same nominated project.
  • "Release date" for YYCMA purposes is defined as the date of the first shipment to retail, radio or posted online release date. Proof of online transaction or shipment may be requested. This applies to all submissions whether single, album or video! (People's Choice and Prophets of Music Emerging Artist categories are excluded from this requirement.)
  • Eligible artists must be from the Calgary area, including Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, Strathmore and areas up to a maximum 125 km radius of the City of Calgary and have been living in the area for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of submission.
  • At least 50% of the artist members must be from the eligibility area.
  • For the "Recording Awards", if the track is part of an EP or album, then you must submit the entire EP or album in ONE submission in ONE genre category only.
  • If you do not have an EP or album, and release singles only, you are only permitted to submit one submission in ONE genre category per artist. Within that submission, you may upload multiple singles for jury consideration. (All singles must be submitted together as one submission in ONE genre).
  • Please note, submissions are final and may not be edited.

B. Submissions Deadline:

  • To be considered for a 2023 YYC Music Award, submissions must be received by 11:59pm MST on May 31, 2023. No extensions will be granted.

C. Submission Fee:

  • There is a $5.00 per category submission fee this year for all Recording and Artistic category submissions. You will see the total cost of your submission at the end of the form. Please note that submission fees are non-refundable if your submission does not meet the eligibility requirements as stated above.

Important Dates

  • 1

    Submissions Open

    March 1, 2023

  • 2

    Submissions Close

    May 31, 2023

  • 3

    Round One Judging

    June 19 - July 7, 2023

  • 4

    Nominees and Ticket Sales Announcement

    July 18, 2023

  • 5

    Round Two Judging

    July 24 - August 7, 2023

  • 6

    2023 YYC Music Awards Gala

    September 24, 2023

YYCMA 2023 Submission Form

Artistic/Recording Categories Form

YYCMA 2023 Submission Form - Artistic/Recording (Post Form)

ARTIST INFORMATION

 

CATEGORY SELECTION

Recording Awards Categories
There is a $5.00 per category submission fee this year.
Artists may only submit to one of the following categories. 
You may submit an EP or album or multiple singles for consideration, as long as they are together in ONE submission in ONE Recording Awards category.

Select the Award you would like to apply to:
Artistic Awards Categories
There is a $5.00 per category submission fee this year.
Artists may submit to as many of these categories as they want.

Select the Award you would like to apply to:

 

RECORDING INFORMATION

Upload the track(s) to be used for this submission in .mp3 format. Please include Artist Name and Track Name in the track file name.
Upload the cover art of the album/single image in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.

 

ARTISTIC INFORMATION

Upload an image representing the artist/band in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
In bullet point form, explain why you deserve to win by listing the 2021-2022 Achievements. Activities and accomplishments for the eligibility year can include but are not exclusive to: tour dates (national & international), festival and notable local performances, media exposure, radio play/ charting as well as any other landmark achievements in career development. During this unprecedented year with limited performance and touring opportunities, how did you continue sharing your music with your audience in innovative and meaningful ways, even in the time of lockdown and restrictions? This includes but is not limited to digital platforms, community performances and other engagement and outreach. Also, be sure to include supporting links/URLs for these achievements where possible.
Upload the track(s) to be used for this submission in .mp3 format. Please include Artist Name and Track Name in the track file name.
Upload the track(s) to be used for this submission in .mp3 format. Please include Artist Name and Track Name in the track file name.
Enter the release date of the track(s).
Enter the release date of the track(s).
For the Artistic Award Categories of the year, please indicate which track is to be considered. If you have selected more than one category (ie. Solo Artist and Songwriter of the Year) and wish to submit different tracks, a second submission is required.
Enter the song title of the video.
Upload the cover art of the video in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
Paste the HD YouTube Url of the video here.
Enter the name of the music video director here.
Enter the location of the music video director here.
Enter the release date of the video.
Please upload your lyrics for this category in PDF format.

Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award

Before apply for the Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award, please read the following in full:

This award is not about the most polished band or most professional yet, they may not even have more than a couple of demos posted so far but it’s about the band that is taking all those baby steps and embody possibility and promise, taking into account the criteria outlined below:

  • Progression: progression of skills, musicality, and presence in local scene.
  • Musicality: blend on instruments, interesting musical concepts, overall song layout, and structure.
  • Originality: a unified and distinct sound, compositional arrangement, unique and interesting.
  • Direction: sense of unified sound and layout displayed in EP or sound samples. Cohesive throughout.
  • Social media presence: easily found online content. Information regarding releases, shows, general band/artist info.
  • Open to artists with 2 or less independent releases.

Artists are required to submit an essay of 500 words or less, outlining why they think they should be considered for the Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award, based on the above criteria. This can include but is not exclusive to highlighting steps you are taking to build your band and brand, accomplishments you have achieved and where you are at in your career. Just tell us who you are and what you are about.

Please upload your essay for this category in PDF format.
Upload the track to be used for the Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award submission, in .mp3 format. (File size no bigger than 50MB.)
Upload the track to be used for the Single of the Year submission, in .mp3 format. (File size no bigger than 20MB.)
For Single of the Year, please indicate which track is to be considered. If you want more than one track considered for Single of the Year a second submission is required.

 

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

If nominated, would you like to be considered for any of the following possible live performance opportunities? Please check all that you are interested in.

 

PAYMENT

No payment items has been selected yet

 

FINAL CHECK

Before you click "Submit", please double check your submission. Does the release date meet eligibility guidelines, as listed at the top of the page? Did you include your contact information and artist links? Do you and or your album meet our location boundary requirements for eligibility?

Reminder: Please note that submission fees are non-refundable if your submission does not meet the eligibility requirements.

If your submission is successful, you will see a confirmation message and receive a confirmation email. Please do not click the checkout button a second time. If you do not see the confirmation message, assume your submission was not received and please contact us.

Industry Categories Form

YYCMA 2023 Submission Form - Industry (Post Form)

SUBMITTER INFORMATION

 

CATEGORY SELECTION

Industry Awards Categories
There is no category submission fee this year for these categories.

Select the Award you would like to apply to:

 

INDUSTRY PERSON INFORMATION

Upload an image of the person you are nominating in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
Upload up to 2 sample track(s) of a recording done by the industry person you are nominating, in .mp3 format.
In bullet point form, explain why you deserve to win by listing the 2022-2023 Achievements. Activities and accomplishments for the eligibility year can include but are not exclusive to: tour dates (national & international), festival and notable local performances, media exposure, radio play/ charting as well as any other landmark achievements in career development. During this unprecedented year with limited performance and touring opportunities, how did you continue sharing your music with your audience in innovative and meaningful ways, even in the time of lockdown and restrictions? This includes but is not limited to digital platforms, community performances and other engagement and outreach. Also, be sure to include supporting links/URLs for these achievements where possible.

 

RECORDING STUDIO INFORMATION

Upload an image of the recording studio you are nominating in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
Upload up to 2 sample track(s) of a recording done in the studio for the Studio Recording submission, in .mp3 format.
Provide a brief bio of the studio that you are nominating

 

VENUE/PRESENTER INFORMATION

Upload an image of the venue/presenter you are nominating in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
Upload up to 2 sample track(s) of a recording done by or in the Venue/Presenter submission, in .mp3 format.

 

MUSIC EDUCATOR (AND/OR ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR) INFORMATION

Upload an image of the person you are nominating in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.
Upload up to 2 sample track(s) of a recording done by the industry person you are nominating, in .mp3 format.
In bullet point form, explain why you deserve to win by listing the 2022-2023 Achievements. Activities and accomplishments for the eligibility year can include but are not exclusive to: tour dates (national & international), festival and notable local performances, media exposure, radio play/ charting as well as any other landmark achievements in career development. During this unprecedented year with limited performance and touring opportunities, how did you continue sharing your music with your audience in innovative and meaningful ways, even in the time of lockdown and restrictions? This includes but is not limited to digital platforms, community performances and other engagement and outreach. Also, be sure to include supporting links/URLs for these achievements where possible.

 

FINAL CHECK

Before you click "Submit", please double check your submission. Does your submission meet the eligibility guidelines, as listed at the top of the page? Did you include your contact information and attachments (if required)?

If your submission is successful, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive one, assume your submission was not received and please contact us.

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