Rules and Regulations of the Strange Arrange Please note that by registering for the competition, all contestants agree to all terms and conditions as listed here (including regular updates as posted.) Entry Period: The Strange Arrange entry period commences at 12:00am on February 1, 2014 and ends at 12:00am on March 15, 2014. All entries must be received via email at 12:00am on March 15, 2012. Competition Overview: This event is a Hip‐Hop and R&B live arrangement competition where bands from all over the United States will perform live arrangements/remixes of some of the hottest radio hits! I. General Requirements Note: Soundtrack Entertainment, LLC/Strange Arrange is hereinafter referred to as "The Organizer". The word "Contestant" means band and/or band members. All correspondence and mail‐outs including registration payments, consent letters, contracts and/or applications are to be directed to Soundtrack Entertainment, LLC: 9 Music Square South, Suite 398 Nashville, TN 37203. a. Competition is open to men and women ages 18 and up. Any contestant under the age of 18 can register with the written consent of a parent or guardian. b. Every contestant hereby irrevocably assigns the right of the organizer to use their name, image, likeness, voice, music, stage performance, video performance, and/or audio performance for promotional uses via internet, television, radio or print. c. No weapons or nonprescription controlled substances will be permitted to be brought inside the Organizer’s venue. d. The Organizer reserves the right to limit the number of entries at his or her discretion and reschedule or relocate either the event location giving 14 days notice by email or by phone to all registered applicants. e. The Organizer reserves the right to change the structure of the competition as it sees fit including, without limitation, increasing or decreasing contestants, increasing or decreasing the registration fee, increasing or decreasing admission price, changing the overall event structure, changing the judge’s panel, editing the rules and regulations, changing the audition criteria, and/or changing the judge’s criteria. f. Any contestant who makes it to the finals and is not able to physically attend, automatically forfeits any claims to prizes and other considerations which they may be otherwise entitled to.
II. The Online Registration/Audition Process Contestants interested in competing MUST agree to all terms and regulations and register online through the site [www.strangearrange.com] to qualify as a contestant and receive any prizes. No contestant will be allowed into the event without having a valid registration from this site. Audition Process: Bands must consist of 5 members (2 Keys, 1 Bass, 1 Drummer, 1 Guitar/Other Input Player). Up to 2 additional members can be added only if they play acoustic instruments: Trumpet, Sax, Trombone etc! You can audition by completing a registration form and then later sending in a Youtube audition video via email to [email protected]. One representative from the band will need to complete the registration form, email in a picture (optional) and a short bio about your band. The audition video should be at least 3‐5 minutes. Your band can only audition by selecting the acapella version to any song listed below and perform a live arrangement. You are allowed to include pre‐produced tracks/programming in your arrangement. Song Choices: Please choose your favorite acapella. After you have chosen your song, search for a “Youtube to Mp3″ online converter and this will convert the link into an audio file: 1. Justin Timberlake‐”What Goes Around, Comes Around” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qBdk64n7XE 2. Kanye West—‐ “Love Lockdown” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv1xbhfAOds 3. Chris Brown —‐ “Strip” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJDzKa9SezU 4. Destiny’s Child—‐ “Lose My Breath” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHac67xWqqI 5. Nicki Minaj—‐ “Starships” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU3B_inkxYg ***None of these songs are owned by Soundtrack Entertainment, LLC or the Strange Arrange*** c. The Organizer prefers that the arrangement is pre‐recorded and mixed and then performed like a music video. However, the contestant also has the option to play the arrangement live (collectively as a group) and have someone film the live performance. *Note with this option, there is a huge risk that the sound quality will not be up to par and therefore the skill level of each musician may go un‐
noticed.* d. Please make sure your audition video contains this information [which can be typed or spoken]:  Your Band Name  Strange Arrange Audition  Your Song Choice It is extremely important that you include the above information in your video. We need to make sure that this is an actual NEW audition video and not an older video uploaded from the past or a video taken from someone else's page. If this information is not included, your video will NOT be accepted! *At the end, feel free to make a short statement on why your band should be chosen for this competition and why people should support your video.* Entrants agree that videos shall not contain, include or involve any of the following: 
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Obscenity Crude, vulgar or offensive pictures, language or symbols Gang Signs or Symbols Violence Explicit Sexual Activity Nudity Illegal drug or alcohol use Unauthorized trademarks Derogatory Characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual or religious groups Trespass or the violation of other people's property Endorsement of any other company, website or competition Registration Fee: At the end of the entry period, the Strange Arrange staff will review all entries and select at least 10 best audition videos to be placed on the website so that America can help us pick the top 5 finalists. We are seeking America’s opinion however the Strange Arrange staff will intervene and decide on the top 5 in case of voting discrepancies, illegal activity, disorderly conduct etc. If your video is chosen to be placed on the site, you will be contacted and asked to pay half of the registration fee which is $25.00 per each band member. All fees are Non‐ Refundable and Non‐Transferable. If you end up not being chosen as one of the Top 5 Finalists to compete in Nashville, your fee will NOT be refunded…however your fee will cover your admission into the Strange Arrange event. If you are chosen as the Top 5, the remaining half of $25 will be due within 10 business days of receiving your invite to Nashville. This fee helps to cover the cost of marketing and advertising for your band. Once you have been placed on the website, the Organizer will begin to announce and promote your band via press releases, print, social media, radio, email blasts, video commercials and much more. III. Set‐Up Sound Check: All contestants need to arrive the day before or the early morning of the event in order to perform a sound check, take pictures and receive a video interview. Each band will receive 20 minutes to perform a sound check, so it is very important that all members are on time or you risk the chance of missing your sound check slot.
Equipment: The Stage will include:  (1) 5 piece drum set  (4) Keyboards  (1) Guitar Amps by Fender Deluxe or Marshall  (1) Bass Amp by GK, Eden or Aguilar  (2) Microphones Any other equipment such as guitar pedals, beat machines, electronic drum pads, laptops, small synth keyboards, drumsticks, percussion accessories etc will be the responsibility of the contestant and will have to be approved by the Organizer. Drummers can bring their own snare and foot pedal. IV. Judging Criteria Organizer will select the judges for the judge's panel who will be established producers, musicians, artists and or musical directors. There will be between 3‐4 judges represented on the panel. In the case of a tie...there will be one lead judge who will make the final decision. If the lead judge is indecisive, the contestants may be asked to participate in a "tie breaker round" where each band can perform an original tune, cover or freestyle for 1.5 minutes however this tie breaker round will be music only (no live arrangement with acapella tracks). Your performance will be scored on the following criteria: 
Creativity ‐ Unique sound or something that's been heard many times before 
Showmanship ‐ besides the music, was the band entertaining to watch...did they keep the crowd engaged? 
Difficulty ‐ Complex and hard to duplicate 
Transitions ‐smooth, clever changes from song to song 
Dynamics ‐ did the band play with a balance and give the audience some High, Mid and Low peaks 
Solos ‐ personal opinion 
Unity ‐ a cohesive and solid sound...or did the band sound like individuals 
Overall Arrangement ‐ your opinion Score Guide 1 = Poor 2 = Fair 3 = Neutral 4 = Good 5 = Excellent Please note that your score sheet results do not necessarily determine if you won the competition. The score sheet is more for general feedback purposes. Therefore the judges may give you a high score but that doesn't necessarily mean they thought you performed better than your component. V. Performance The Organizer will determine which band goes first by randomly drawing a name. That band has just a few minutes to arrive on stage and make any set up changes. The Organizer will then read off a short bio (written by the contestant) and will introduce each band member individually. The band will then perform a 8 minute live arrangement set that will consist of a 3 song medley. Each band will be responsible for bringing their own laptop that has a workstation (Protools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton etc). Each band will play all acapella tracks and pre‐recorded instruments through their laptop. The band must play one acapella track (in any order) from each category: (1) Hip Hop Song, (1) R&B Song (1) Pop song . The Organizer asks that these acapella songs be radio friendly if possible. Contestants may have to reverse, bleep out or erase certain words within the acapella track that may be extremely offensive. VI. Prizes and Terms The Grand Prize Winning Band will receive $3500 cash, their very own Sample/Loop Kit Through Sony Creative*, A lead casting spot for a new Sony Creative Online Commercial plus a Recording Session and Video Shoot with PJ Morton. The winning band can choose to do a live arrangement to one of PJ Morton's songs or a live arrangement to a well‐known cover song with PJ Morton as the lead singer. *The Sample/Loop Kit will be distributed through Sony Creative's website as a free download. It is very expensive to set up the UPC/SKU numbers for each and every sample so that you may sell them to the public. That is why we chose to make it a free download to help promote your band and gain exposure. If you would rather have your samples sold on the Sony Creative site your band will be responsible contacting Sony Creative and taking care of all setup expenses. VII. Copyright Regulations  Contestant warrants and represents that they are a sole creator of each arrangement presented at the Strange Arrange 
The contestant warrants and represents that the display of all arrangements at the Strange Arrange does not and will not infringe or violate the rights of any other party (excluding the acapella track) including copyright interests. The contestant shall indemnify, defend and hold the Strange Arrange ‐ out harmless from any losses, claims, damages, awards, penalties, or injuries occurred, including reasonable attorney's fees, which arise from any claim by and third party of an alleged infringement of copyright or any other property right arising out of the displaying of each arrangement at the Strange Arrangement. 
The contestant understands that violating the copyright regulations will lead to disqualification and removal from the competition. VIII. Agreement Contestant understands that by completing the Strange Arrange audition form and paying the registration fee that they are in agreement with the rules and regulations listed in this document and throughout the Strange Arrange website. The Organizer is allowed to make changes to the terms and regulations at any time and will make all finalists aware of those changes. FAQs: 1. Why can we only have 5 band members? Due to the length of time it took last year to set up so many musicians in each group, we made an executive decision to reduce the numbers. This will hopefully result in smoother transitions and the event ending at a decent time. 2. Why do we have to stick to a particular band setup ‐ ie: 1 Drummer, 2 Keys, 1 Bass, 1 Guitar/Input Player? This will also help with smoother transitions. Plus due to the size of the stage, venue rules and expenses this is the best way to keep all parties happy. It's extremely difficult, time consuming and expensive to have to work around unique situations where a band may have 2 drummers, or 4 keyboard players etc. 3. What are we responsible for bringing? All instruments except drums and keys. You are also responsible for any accessories such as: picks, sticks, headphones/in‐ears, laptops, guitar effect pedals, special cables/cords, beat machines, strings, mixers etc. If you have a particular pedal or snare, you are allowed to bring those items however we would prefer that you not bring cymbals unless there is an extreme need. All additional cymbals will have to be approved by staff. 4. Are we being flown in and will you handle all of our expenses? No. You are responsible for your own travel, lodging and expenses. We will try our best to obtain a hotel discount rate for all band members who are competing. 5. Why do we have to pay a registration fee? This fee helps to cover the cost of marketing and advertising for your band. Once you have been placed on the website, the Organizer will begin to announce and promote your band via press releases, print, social media, radio, email blasts, video commercials and much more. 6. How does sound check work? You will be asked to report to sound check on the day before or the day of the event and you will receive 30‐45 minutes of sound check. 7.What happens at the event? You will arrive early for a pictures and a video interview of your band. We will then pick from a hat to see what order you will be performing. Once you're called on stage, we read off a short bio about your band and then introduce each member individually. This is our way of doing one last sound check before you perform. When we introduce each member we ask that you play something to check your levels. Once you perform, you sit back into the audience to watch the other performers. We will take a quick intermission and then finish the show. Afterwards, the judges will vote and we will announce the winner. 8. What happens if we win? Every band will need to be prepared to stay an extra full day in Nashville. Early the next morning, the winning band will have to report to Blackbird Studios. You will begin to shoot parts of your commercial until PJ Morton arrives. We will then setup in the studio and let the winning band and PJ Morton collab to create a live arrangement. In between time and after PJ Morton is done recording we will finish shooting the commercial. The entire experience with PJ Morton will also be filmed and turned into a music video. Your gear/software will be given to you after the event and the cash prize will be sent via Paypal to each band member within 7‐10 business days. 9. What happens if we do not win? You are free to stay and network in Nashville. Many bands will most likely change their flight and hotel bookings so that they can depart the next morning. 10. How does the voting process for the Top 5 work? There will be a voting widget on each finalist's page where visitors can select their favorite band. Each time someone selects a band their vote is tallied in a backend system of our website. The voting period will be from March 15, 2014 to April 1, 2014. We will announce the Top 5 shortly after.