Contest Terms & Conditions

Modern Sound Worship Song Contest 2026

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

These Terms and Conditions govern participation in the 2026 Modern Sound Worship Song Contest. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to follow these Terms and Conditions and confirms that all information submitted is true, accurate, and complete.

The contest is presented by Modern Sound with support from Cantinas Arts Foundation as presenting sponsor. Gospel Music Association and other organizations may provide promotional or awareness support where appropriate.

 

1. Eligibility

The Modern Sound Worship Song Contest is open to solo artists, worship leaders, and songwriters who meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Entrant must be a legal resident of the United States

  2. Entrant must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission

  3. Entrant must be entering as an individual solo artist

  4. Entrant must own or control all rights to the submitted original song

  5. Entrant must be the sole writer of the submitted original song

  6. Entrant must be available for the planned winner experience in Nashville, Tennessee, if selected as the Grand Prize Winner

Co-writes, duos, groups, bands, choirs, and collaborative songwriting submissions are not eligible. Employees, contractors, immediate family members, or household members of Modern Sound, Wander Creative, Cantinas Arts Foundation, Gospel Music Association, judges, sponsors, or any other contest administration partners may be ineligible at Modern Sound’s discretion.

2. Contest Entry Period

The submission window opens on June 1, 2026 and closes on June 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT.

Entries submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Modern Sound is not responsible for late, incomplete, misdirected, corrupted, delayed, or unsuccessful submissions caused by technical issues, internet outages, user error, platform limitations, or any other reason.

3. How to Enter

Entrants must submit their materials through the official Modern Sound contest landing page during the entry period.

Each entrant may submit only one entry. Duplicate entries may be disqualified.

Each submission must include:

  1. A live video performance of the entrant’s original worship song

  2. A live video performance of a popular worship, gospel, or CCM cover song

  3. Full typed lyrics for the original song

  4. Confirmation that the entrant is the sole writer of the original song

  5. Artist name and contact information

  6. Artist bio or short statement of inspiration

  7. One clear artist photo

  8. Social media profiles where applicable

  9. Agreement to these Terms and Conditions

  10. Agreement to the contest AI and authenticity policy

  11. Permission for contest-related promotional use of approved submitted materials

Modern Sound may request additional information from entrants if needed to verify eligibility, authorship, ownership, identity, or submission completeness.

4. Original Song Requirements

The original song submitted for contest consideration must meet the following requirements:

  1. Song must be written solely by the entrant

  2. Song must be original to the entrant

  3. Song must be unreleased on digital streaming platforms at the time of submission

  4. Song must be faith-centered, worshipful, and appropriate for Christian audiences

  5. Song must not include unauthorized copyrighted material

  6. Song must not include lyrics, themes, or content that Modern Sound determines to be offensive, hateful, obscene, sexually explicit, defamatory, violent, discriminatory, or inconsistent with the spirit of the contest

  7. Song must be performed live by the entrant in the submitted original song video

  8. Song length should be between 2 and 6 minutes

Previously written songs are eligible as long as they have not been released on digital streaming platforms and otherwise meet all contest requirements.

5. Cover Song Video Requirement

Each entrant must also submit a live performance video of a popular worship, gospel, or CCM cover song from the past 25 years.

The cover song video must meet the following requirements:

  1. Must be minimum of 60 seconds in length

  2. Must be performed live

  3. Must feature the entrant as the sole vocalist

  4. May include instrumental accompaniment if needed

  5. Must not include pre-recorded lead vocals or AI-generated vocals

The cover song video is required to help verify live vocal authenticity, provide an additional reference point for performance ability, and discourage misrepresented or AI-generated submissions.

The cover song video is not used as the primary judging score for the original song. By submitting a cover song video, entrants acknowledge that the video will be posted publicly alongside their original song video as part of the submission process and Fan Favorite voting experience.

Entrants also grant Modern Sound and approved contest partners, including Cantinas Arts Foundation, and the Gospel Music Association permission to use portions of the cover song video for contest-related and general promotional purposes.

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.

6. Optional Instrumental Accompanist

Entrants who do not play an instrument may perform with an instrumental accompanist for both the original song video and cover song video.

The accompanist may provide instrumental support only. The entrant must remain the sole vocalist and featured performer. The accompanist may not share songwriting credit, performance credit, contest entry status, finalist status, winner status, or prize eligibility.

Submissions that include additional vocalists, duets, groups, bands, choirs, or other featured performers may be disqualified.

7. AI and Authenticity Policy

All submissions must be original, human-written, and human-performed work.

The following are prohibited:

  1. AI-generated vocals

  2. AI-generated instrumentation for the submitted live performance

  3. Substantially AI-generated lyrics

  4. AI-generated artist identity, likeness, or vocal identity

  5. Misrepresented authorship

  6. Misrepresented vocal performance

  7. Misrepresented ownership or control of the song

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 the entrant.

Modern Sound reserves the right to disqualify any submission it determines, in its sole discretion, to violate this AI and authenticity policy.

8. Submission Review and Approval

All submissions are subject to review by Modern Sound before being approved for public display, Fan Favorite voting, or further contest consideration.

Modern Sound reserves the right to reject, remove, or disqualify any submission that:

  1. Does not meet eligibility requirements

  2. Is incomplete or late

  3. Violates these Terms and Conditions

  4. Contains inappropriate or non-worship-focused content

  5. Includes unauthorized copyrighted material

  6. Misrepresents authorship, ownership, identity, or performance

  7. Creates legal, reputational, technical, or administrative concerns

  8. Is otherwise determined by Modern Sound to be inconsistent with the purpose or spirit of the contest

Approval for public display or voting does not guarantee finalist selection, winner selection, or prize eligibility.

9. Fan Favorite Voting

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

Fan Favorite voting will take place from June 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026, unless modified by Modern Sound.

Voting rules:

  1. One vote per verified email address

  2. Email verification may be required

  3. Votes may be monitored for suspicious or fraudulent activity

  4. Modern Sound reserves the right to invalidate votes it determines to be fraudulent, automated, duplicated, manipulated, or otherwise inconsistent with fair voting

  5. Final vote totals will be reviewed before the Fan Favorite Winner is announced

The Fan Favorite Winner is determined by public vote and is separate from the Grand Prize Winner. Fan Favorite voting does not determine the Grand Prize Winner.

10. Finalist Selection

After the submission window closes, Modern Sound will review eligible entries and select the Top 5 Finalists.

Finalist selection may consider:

  1. Lyric quality

  2. Melodic strength

  3. Originality and creativity

  4. Emotional and spiritual impact

  5. Overall potential for professional production and release

  6. Alignment with the purpose and spirit of the contest

Modern Sound reserves the right to select fewer or more finalists if necessary based on submission volume, eligibility, quality, or other contest considerations.

11. Executive Review and Grand Prize Selection

The Top 5 Finalists may be reviewed by a panel of Christian music executives, leaders, songwriters, artists, or industry professionals selected by Modern Sound and/or contest partners.

The executive review panel may provide feedback, scoring, discussion, or recommendations. Final Grand Prize Winner selection will be made by Modern Sound, taking the panel’s input into account.

All eligibility, finalist, judging, voting, and winner decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

12. Winner Announcement

The Fan Favorite Winner and Top 5 Finalists are expected to be announced on or around July 6, 2026.

The Grand Prize Winner is expected to be announced on or around July 15, 2026.

Announcement dates may change based on submission review, voting review, judge availability, technical issues, or other circumstances.

Winners may be contacted by email, phone, or direct message. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe specified by Modern Sound, is found to be ineligible, fails to complete required documents, or cannot participate in the prize experience, Modern Sound may select an alternate winner.

13. Grand Prize Package

The Grand Prize Winner is expected to receive:

  1. $1,000 cash prize

  2. Professional song production, including arrangement, recording, 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

Prize details are subject to reasonable changes based on scheduling, availability, logistics, budget, vendor availability, partner support, or circumstances outside of Modern Sound’s control.

14. Fan Favorite Prize Package

The Fan Favorite Winner is expected to 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

Prize details are subject to reasonable changes based on availability, partner support, scheduling, logistics, or circumstances outside of Modern Sound’s control.

15. Prize Limitations

No cash alternatives will be offered outside of the stated Grand Prize cash award. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be substituted, assigned, sold, or exchanged by the winner.

Dove Awards tickets and Museum of Christian & Gospel Music experiences are subject to availability and partner support. Event details, ticket access, timing, venue policies, security requirements, and admission rules are controlled by the applicable event or venue.

Travel support is limited to the Grand Prize Winner unless otherwise specified in writing by Modern Sound. Guest travel, guest lodging, additional meals, incidentals, personal expenses, baggage fees, parking, rideshare upgrades, or other expenses may not be covered unless expressly approved by Modern Sound.

The Grand Prize Winner may be required to provide tax information, payment information, identification, and completed forms before receiving the cash prize or other prize benefits.

16. Grand Prize Winner Obligations

The Grand Prize Winner must be willing and able to participate in the planned winner experience in Nashville, Tennessee, currently scheduled for October 6 to October 8, 2026.

The Grand Prize Winner may be required to participate in:

  1. Dove Awards Week activities

  2. Studio recording

  3. Music video production

  4. Artist photoshoot

  5. Interview content

  6. Promotional content creation

  7. Release planning

  8. Social media and marketing activities related to the contest and winning song

The Grand Prize Winner must cooperate in good faith with Modern Sound regarding scheduling, creative direction, production decisions, release planning, and promotional activities.

Failure to participate, failure to sign required documents, or inability to fulfill reasonable winner obligations may result in prize forfeiture and selection of an alternate winner.

17. Separate Grand Prize Winner Agreement

The Grand Prize Winner may be required to sign a separate production, release, likeness, travel, and promotional agreement before prize fulfillment.

That separate agreement may address:

  1. Recording schedule and logistics

  2. Music video production

  3. Artist photoshoot

  4. Travel arrangements

  5. Likeness and promotional usage

  6. Master recording ownership and usage

  7. Distribution and release details

  8. Songwriter credit and artist credit

  9. Marketing and promotional obligations

  10. Final creative approvals and decision-making authority

Modern Sound is not obligated to fulfill the Grand Prize production, release, travel, or promotional components until all required agreements are completed.

18. Rights and Ownership

Entrants retain ownership of their original songs, subject to the rights and permissions granted in these Terms and Conditions.

By entering the contest, each entrant confirms that:

  1. The submitted original song is written solely by the entrant

  2. The entrant owns or controls all rights needed to submit the song

  3. The song does not infringe on the rights of any third party

  4. The entrant has the right to grant the permissions described in these Terms and Conditions

Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, the Gospel Music Association, and supporting partners do not claim ownership of the entrant’s underlying original song by virtue of contest submission.

19. Promotional Usage Permission

By submitting an entry, each entrant grants Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, Gospel Music Association, and supporting contest partners a non-exclusive, royalty-free permission to use approved submitted materials for contest-related promotion, sponsor recognition, campaign marketing, recap content, winner announcements, press outreach, and related communications.

This permission may include use of:

  1. Entrant name

  2. Artist name

  3. Artist image and likeness

  4. Artist bio or statement

  5. Artist photo

  6. Social media handles

  7. Submitted original song video

  8. Submitted lyrics or lyric excerpts

  9. Contest-related quotes, captions, posts, or recap content

This permission does not transfer ownership of the entrant’s original song. It allows Modern Sound and approved contest partners to promote the contest, entrants, finalists, winners, sponsor involvement, and related Modern Sound initiatives.

Cover song video usage may be more limited due to third-party copyright considerations. Modern Sound may use cover song videos internally for verification and review and may only share cover song videos publicly if it determines that doing so is appropriate and legally permissible.

20. Publicity Release

Except where prohibited by law, entrants agree that Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, Gospel Music Association, and supporting contest partners may use their name, artist name, likeness, photo, voice, submission materials, statements, city/state, and biographical information for contest-related publicity without additional compensation.

21. Disqualification

Modern Sound reserves the right to disqualify any entrant or submission for reasons including, but not limited to:

  1. Late submission

  2. Incomplete submission

  3. Duplicate entry

  4. Ineligible entrant

  5. Co-written, group, duo, band, or choir submission

  6. Previously released original song

  7. Unauthorized copyrighted material

  8. Offensive, inappropriate, or non-worship-focused content

  9. AI-generated vocals, instrumentation, or substantially AI-generated lyrics

  10. Misrepresented authorship, ownership, identity, vocal performance, or eligibility

  11. Fraudulent voting activity

  12. Failure to respond to Modern Sound communications

  13. Failure to sign required agreements

  14. Violation of these Terms and Conditions

  15. Conduct that Modern Sound determines could harm the reputation, integrity, or purpose of the contest

22. Technical Issues and Contest Changes

Modern Sound, Cantinas Arts Foundation, Gospel Music Association, and supporting partners are not responsible for technical issues, including:

  1. Website outages

  2. Upload errors

  3. Email verification issues

  4. Voting platform issues

  5. Incomplete or corrupted submissions

  6. Social media platform issues

  7. Internet disruptions

  8. Lost, delayed, misdirected, or failed communications

Modern Sound reserves the right to modify, suspend, extend, or cancel the contest if fraud, technical failures, legal concerns, low submission volume, unforeseen circumstances, natural disasters, platform issues, partner availability, or other events compromise the fairness, integrity, feasibility, or intended operation of the contest.

23. Release of Liability

By entering the contest, entrants agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Modern Sound, Wander Creative, Cantinas Arts Foundation, Gospel Music Association, judges, sponsors, partners, contractors, employees, representatives, affiliates, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to:

  1. Contest participation

  2. Submission materials

  3. Eligibility decisions

  4. Judging or winner selection

  5. Fan Favorite voting

  6. Public display or promotional use of approved materials

  7. Prize acceptance or use

  8. Travel

  9. Recording, filming, photography, or production activities

  10. Technical issues

  11. Contest modification, suspension, or cancellation

24. No Guarantee of Career Outcome

Participation in the contest does not guarantee a recording contract, publishing agreement, management agreement, distribution deal, playlist placement, radio airplay, future work, income, career opportunity, or any specific commercial outcome.

Modern Sound will use reasonable efforts to support and promote the Grand Prize Winner’s final produced song, but no specific performance results are guaranteed.

25. Privacy and Communications

By entering the contest, entrants agree that Modern Sound may collect and use submitted information for contest administration, entrant communication, voting verification, promotional use, and related campaign activities.

Entrants may also receive contest-related emails from Modern Sound. Entrants may unsubscribe from general marketing emails where applicable, but Modern Sound may still contact entrants regarding contest administration, eligibility, winner selection, prize fulfillment, or legal requirements.

26. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to conflict of law principles.

27. Final Authority

Modern Sound reserves the final authority to interpret these Terms and Conditions, determine eligibility, review submissions, validate votes, select finalists, select winners, disqualify entries, modify contest procedures, and make all final contest-related decisions. All decisions made by Modern Sound are final.