FAQ: The Songs of a Young Nation Competition

Where can I learn more about the contest?

Visit our Songs of a Young Nation Competition hub for everything you need to know: contest themes, judging criteria, prize details, and tips for submitting your best work. You’ll also find our Artist Resources & Inspiration page, Official Rules, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

When does the window for entries open?

• The contest opens at our Songs of a Young Nation Competition hub at 12:01 AM PST on September 15, 2025.

What is the deadline for entries?

• The contest closes at midnight PST on December 31, 2025.

Who can enter the contest?

• The competition is open to musicians ages 15 to 30 — including high school and college students, as well as young independent, unsigned artists. Our goal is to bring fresh voices into the commemorations that will shape how the nation remembers and engages with the first one hundred years of American history.

Is there a cost to enter?

• No. The contest is FREE to enter.

Can I submit more than one entry?

• No. There is a limit of one song submission per entrant.

How do I enter?

• Follow this link to the contest page and click the red SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC button to enter beginning on September 15, 2025.

Should the music be arranged in a particular style or genre?

• Submissions can be tradition or modern arrangements in ANY musical genre—whether folk, traditional American, classical, country, hip-hop, electronic, rock, solo vocal performance — even mashups that fuse past and present.

Can my submission includes sample or loops 

• Yes. If your submission includes samples, loops, or recordings created by others, you must have obtained all necessary rights and permissions for their use. Acceptable sources include the public domain, royalty-free libraries, or properly licensed material. By submitting your work, you represent and warrant that your entry does not infringe on any third-party rights. The Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any entry that includes unlicensed or unauthorized samples. You will be asked to disclose all sampled recordings used in your submission.

How will the entries be judged?

• Entries will be judged on their success in making a connection across time and how well they connect the past and present. In addition, our distinguished judges will be listening for high quality production quality and musical polish. See our official competition rules for details.

When will the judges announce their decision?

• A public announcement will be made on February 22, 2026 – George Washington’s Birthday.

Who will judge the entries?

• A panel of professional musicians from various genres, music industry leaders, musicologists, assisted by at least one historian of American music. Learn more about our judges here.

What is the prize for the winning entry?

• Each category's winner will receive one $3,500 cash prize. This award is not only a recognition of the artist's talent and creativity but also an encouragement to continue exploring the rich connections between music and history.

How do I find past examples of how artists have re-interpreted historic music?

• See our Artist Resource page for links to examples of how others have re-interpreted historic music.

Who owns the copyright to the music create for the contest?

• All copyrights remain with the creators of the music. Ensure that your work does not infringe on any existing copyrights. By submitting your work, you agree that it is considered "Work for Hire," meaning the Sponsors will have rights to use and showcase your submission.

Is music created by an AI music generator program acceptable?

• No, all submissions must be entirely original and created without the assistance of AI technology. If you submit a musical piece and our detection tools suggest that it may have been generated by AI, you may be asked to provide proof of authenticity. This could include behind-the-scenes footage, live performance recordings, or other evidence demonstrating that the composition is genuinely your own work.

Who co-sponsors the contest?

• This contest is co-sponsored by the American Battlefield Trust and the Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation.

Suppose I have questions about how to access music in manuscript form:

• Check out our Artist Resources & Inspiration page for links to archives, recordings, and examples that span America’s first century. Here are some starting points to explore collections of sheet music, audio recordings, and curated educational material:
  • Revolutionary War (1770s–1780s)
    • Library of Congress – Songs of the Revolution
    • Massachusetts Historical Society – Music & Manuscripts
    • Boston Athenaeum – Historical Music Resources
  • War of 1812
    • Library of Congress – Songs of the War of 1812
    • Duke University Libraries – War of 1812 Sheet Music Collection
  • Civil War (1861–1865)
    • Library of Congress – Civil War Sheet Music Collection
    • Smithsonian Folkways – Songs of the Civil War
    • Duke University – Historic American Sheet Music

Who is the contact person for questions regarding submissions and how do I contact them?

For general competition inquiries, please contact us at education@battlefields.org. Good luck!