Contest FAQs

What is the Modern Sound Worship Song Contest?

The Modern Sound Worship Song Contest is a nationwide songwriting competition created to discover, celebrate, and elevate original worship songs written by emerging Christian songwriters. The contest gives one standout artist the opportunity to have their song professionally produced, filmed, and promoted, with additional recognition for a Fan Favorite Winner selected by public vote.

Who can enter?

The contest is open to U.S.-based solo artists, worship leaders, and songwriters who are 18 years or older.

Entrants must have written the submitted original song themselves and must retain all rights to it. No co-writes, duos, group submissions, bands, or choirs are allowed.

Does it cost anything to enter?

No. Entry is completely free for 2026.

What kind of song should I submit?

Submit an original, unreleased, Christian faith-centered worship song. Your lyrics should be worshipful and appropriate for Christian audiences. Covers, public domain songs, and previously released music will not be accepted as your original contest entry.

Does my song need to be professionally recorded or produced?

No. Simple phone recordings are welcome. The contest is looking for powerful songs and heartfelt performances, not production polish.

Can I submit a song I wrote a while ago?

Yes, as long as the song has not been released on digital streaming platforms and you otherwise meet all contest requirements.

Can I submit a co-written song?

No. For the 2026 contest, all submitted original songs must be written solely by the entrant.

Can a duo, group, band, or choir enter?

No. The contest is open to solo artists only.

Can I include an accompanist in my submission video?

Yes. If you do not play an instrument, you may perform with an instrumental accompanist for both your original song video and cover song video. The performance must remain vocally led solely by you. The accompanist provides instrumental support only and does not share performance credit, contest entry status, finalist status, winner status, or prize eligibility.

Why do I have to submit a cover song video too?

New for 2026, each submission also requires a 60 to 120 second live performance video of a popular worship, gospel, or CCM song. This helps verify live vocal authenticity, gives the review team a clearer sense of your performance ability, and creates an additional reference point alongside your original song submission. The cover song is not used as the primary judging score for your original song.

What kind of cover song should I submit?

Submit a 60 to 120 second live performance of a recognizable worship, gospel, or CCM song from the past 25 years.

A verse and chorus is enough.

Will my submission videos be posted publicly?

Yes. Both your original song video and cover song video will be posted publicly on the Modern Sound website as part of the submission process and Fan Favorite voting experience.

By entering the contest, you also give Modern Sound and approved contest partners, including Cantinas Arts Foundation, and the Gospel Music Association, permission to use portions of your original song video, cover song video, artist name, image, likeness, bio, and submitted materials for contest-related and general promotional purposes.

Entrants retain ownership of their original songs. Submitting to the contest does not transfer ownership of your original song to Modern Sound or any contest partner.

Because cover songs may involve third-party copyrighted material, Modern Sound will make reasonable efforts to use cover song content appropriately. Entrants should understand that submitted cover song videos may appear publicly on the contest website and may be used in promotional materials connected to the contest.

Can I use AI to write or produce my song?

No AI-generated vocals, AI-generated instrumentation for the submitted live performance, or substantially AI-generated lyrics are allowed. All submissions must be original, human-written, and human-performed work. Use of AI-assisted production tools, such as mixing, mastering, cleanup, transcription, or file preparation, is acceptable as long as the submitted song itself is written and performed by you.

How do I submit my song?

You will submit through the Modern Sound contest landing page during the June 1 to June 30, 2026 submission window.

You will need to provide:

  1. Original song video performance

  2. Cover song video performance

  3. Full lyrics for your original song

  4. Contact information

  5. Artist bio or statement of inspiration

  6. Artist photo

  7. Social media profiles where applicable

  8. Agreement to the official contest rules and Terms & Conditions

Can I submit more than one song?

No. Only one entry per person is allowed. Duplicate entries may be disqualified.

What happens after I submit?

Approved submissions may be featured on the Modern Sound website during the Fan Favorite voting period.

After submissions close, Modern Sound will review eligible entries and select the Top 5 Finalists. The Top 5 Finalists may then be reviewed by a panel of Christian music executives and leaders who will provide input toward the Grand Prize Winner selection. The final Grand Prize Winner will be selected by Modern Sound.

How does Fan Favorite voting work?

Fan Favorite voting takes place on the Modern Sound website during the June 1 to June 30, 2026 submission window.

Voting is limited to one vote per verified email address. Votes may be reviewed for suspicious or fraudulent activity. The Fan Favorite Winner is determined by public vote and is separate from the Grand Prize Winner.

Does Fan Favorite voting determine the Grand Prize Winner?

No. Fan Favorite voting does not determine the Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize Winner is selected through Modern Sound’s finalist review and executive review process.

When will finalists and winners be announced?

The current planned announcement dates are:

  1. Top 5 Finalists and Fan Favorite Winner: July 6, 2026

  2. Grand Prize Winner: July 15, 2026

Dates may be adjusted if needed.

What does the Grand Prize Winner receive?

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a full single release experience, including:

  1. $1,000 cash prize

  2. Professional song production, including arrangement, tracking, mixing, and mastering

  3. Music video filmed in Nashville

  4. Artist photoshoot

  5. Travel, lodging, meals, and hospitality covered for the Nashville winner experience

  6. Two tickets to the 2026 Dove Awards for the artist and one guest

  7. Interview opportunity with Cantinas Arts Foundation

  8. Tour of the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music

  9. Recognition across Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, and supporting campaign channels

  10. Release support for the final produced song

What does the Fan Favorite Winner receive?

The Fan Favorite Winner will receive:

  1. $100 Amazon Gift Card

  2. Two General Admission tickets to the 2026 Dove Awards

  3. Two tickets to the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music

  4. Recognition across Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, and supporting campaign channels

When will production happen for the winning song?

The current plan is for the Grand Prize Winner to attend the Dove Awards experience on October 6, 2026, record in Nashville on October 7, and participate in a music video and photoshoot on October 8. The completed winning song is currently planned for release on January 16, 2027. But final dates are subject to the participant’s and production team’s availability and timelines could adjust if needed. 

Do I keep ownership of my song?

Yes. Entrants retain ownership of their original songs. Submitting to the contest does not transfer ownership of your original song to Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, Gospel Music Association, or any other supporting partner. By entering the contest, you do give Modern Sound and approved contest partners, including Cantinas Arts Foundation, and the Gospel Music Association, permission to use portions of your original song video, cover song video, artist name, image, likeness, bio, and submitted materials for contest-related and general promotional purposes.

What happens if I win? 

If you are selected as the Grand Prize Winner, Modern Sound will coordinate next steps with you directly. You may be required to sign a separate production, likeness, release, travel, and promotional agreement before prize fulfillment.

That agreement may cover production logistics, recording, music video filming, release plans, promotional usage, and any final song release terms.