Voices Only 2010 Submission Guidelines

Submitting to Voices Only

Voices Only enters its second decade and is proud to announce the submission guidelines for the 6th annual double-disc collegiate a cappella compilation, "Voices Only 2010"!

"Voices Only" is a one-of-a-kind two-CD collegiate a cappella compilation album produced by one of the leading a cappella braintrusts, Corey Slutsky. Corey has been a vital influence to the a cappella community, performing internationally, reviewing albums for the Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB), nominating and judging for the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs), judging ICCA competitions, and consulting the casting agent for The Sing-Off.

This year I am pleased to announce a partnership with the Mouth Off podcast, in which the track list will be premiered on the June 27 episode by hosts Dave Brown and Christopher Diaz!

Previous versions of Voices Only featured between 30-38 tracks from collegiate a cappella groups around the World. The 2010 version will feature a similar number of tracks, depending on the quality of the submissions.

Submission guidelines

1) Any song recorded, mastered or released between January 1, 2009 and June 1, 2010 is eligible for Voices Only 2010.

2) Songs can be studio masters or live recordings.

3) Submissions must be on an audio CD. No tapes or online submissions will be accepted. MP3s are also ineligible.

4) Covers and originals are eligible. There is no bias either way.

5) Songs from CDs not yet completed are eligible. If you submit songs from an unfinished album on a CD-R, be sure to list your school and full group name on the CD and the case. Also include a full track listing including the song title, original artist, arranger(s) and soloist(s). If you send a CD-R, please be sure to send it in a hard CD case. If selected, I will be pulling the tracks directly from the CD you provide for mastering, so you and I want it to be the best quality.

6) All submissions must include a valid and frequently checked e-mail address for us to keep in contact with you during the 2010 summer and the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, since all discussions will take place via e-mail. Also include your web site address, a contact person who will be with the group through the 2009 calendar year (not a graduating senior), snail mail address for us to send contracts and CDs to, and a contact phone number in case we can't get a hold of you via e-mail.

7) If selected to appear on Voices Only 2010, groups will be required to pre-purchase 35 copies of the album at a discounted rate of $6.75/album, plus shipping costs, for a total of $250. Groups will be allowed to order additional copies at the same rate in batches of 25, as long as supplies are available.

8) As this is a collegiate compilation, only songs featuring college students are eligible.

Dates and deadlines

The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2010. All CDs must arrive in California on or before June 1. I will be lenient on the deadline by a few days (less than one week) if you send me an e-mail to let me know the CD is on its way.

Probable timeline for Voices Only 2010 is as follows:

June 1 – Submission Deadline
June 27 – Track List announced on the Mouth Off podcast (www.mouthoffshow.com)
July 1 – Track list posted on the Voices Only web site
July 15 – Groups' preorder payment due
August 31 – Finished CDs arrive at Voices Only
September 15 – Groups should receive albums in time for the start of the school year

Groups' financial obligation ends upon payment of the pre-purchase. Voices Only will be responsible for all mechanical licensing fees for cover songs.

Please send one copy of your album or CD-R to:
Voices Only Submission
30286 Pelican Bay #B
Murrieta, CA 92563

Again, you have until June 1, 2010 to submit your CDs, but remember the sooner I receive them, the longer I have to listen to them! I look forward to hearing everything!