“Songs are sneaky things . . . I always believed that the right song at the right moment could change history.”
Pete Seeger
Voices Rising Song Contest
The Voices Rising Songwriting Contest (OPENING 12/1/2025) invites musicians to submit original songs that speak to the urgency, complexity, and hope of this moment in history. Carrying on (but not limited to) the legacy of the protest and folk music of the 1960s and 70s in the U.S. and Latin America’s Nueva Canción movement, we seek original work, in any style or genre, that reflects the power of song to awaken minds and stir hearts. Submit your work in English, Spanish, or both—and let your voices rise.
The winning song will receive a prize of $1,000. Two runners-up will each receive $500. The top ten songs will be featured in a concert at a NYC-area venue in spring 2026.The songwriters will be welcome to perform the songs themselves, or performers will be chosen to sing them. No purchase, donation, or fee necessary to enter.
Submission Information
1. Eligibility
Open to those currently residing in the U.S.
Entrants must be 18 years or older (Minors may participate with parental/guardian consent.)
Entries must be original compositions not previously published, commercially released, or under contract for commercial sale.
Songwriting teams are welcome though there will only be one award for the team.
2. Submission Guidelines
Submit:
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An audio recording (MP3, WAV) Professional recordings are not necessary but the song and lyrics must be clear. Entries will be judged on writing and composition, not production value.
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A document with full lyrics (.doc, .pdf)
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Please use the file naming convention songwriterlastname_songtitle.
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Send all files through the form link (below).
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One entry per person.
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No purchase, entrance, fee or donation necessary to enter.
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Deadline for submissions is February 15, 2026
3. Judging Criteria
Songs will be judged by a panel (TBA) based on:
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Message & Relevance in alignment with the contest theme
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Creativity & Originality
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Emotional Impact
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Musical Composition
All judging is final and at the sole discretion of the Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust and La Familia Organization.
4. Rights & Legal Details
All entrants retain rights to their work.
By entering, you grant Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, publish, or share your song for promotional and educational purposes (with credit).
Entries must not violate copyright or contain discriminatory, violent, or explicit content. No unauthorized use of samples, covers, or AI-generated lyrics/compositions.
The winners may be asked to sign:
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Affidavit of eligibility and originality
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Publicity release for promotional use
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IRS Form W-9 (prize may be considered taxable income)
5. Winner Notification
Winner will be announced via email on or before April 15, 2026.
Winner will be contacted via the submission email; if unresponsive after 5 business days, an alternate winner may be selected.
6. Disclaimers
Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the guidelines.
Contest may be canceled or modified at any time at the discretion of the organizers.
Questions may be directed to voicesrisingcontest@gmail.com
Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
Liability release (we’re not responsible for technical failures, lost entries, etc.).
Agreement: By entering, participants agree to abide by the rules.
Our
Story
Background
This summer, after watching the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, we were reminded of the crucial role music played during the turbulent sixties and seventies in both the US and Latin America with the Nueva Canción movement, and wondered at its absence in today’s volatile realities. As artists frequently deflated by the daily barrage of news, the thought of finding a creative response energized us. Pete Seeger once said, “I always believed that the right song at the right moment could change history.” And in that spirit and belief, we decided to sponsor the Voices Rising Song Contest.
Concept
In times of uncertainty, music has always offered both refuge and resistance. From the folk-driven protest songs of the 1960s and ’70s in the United States to the powerful voices of the Nueva Canción movement across Latin America, artists have long used music to reflect the struggles, hopes, and resilience of their communities. This song contest invites participants to draw inspiration from that rich legacy—celebrating music not only as an art form, but as a way of listening, reflecting on the past, and connecting in the present.
The Team
The Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization incorporated in 1994 and would be the financial conduit for any monies involved. It was founded by Saul Silbert from his personal estate. He was a self-made man whose family came to the United States with little. A lover of the arts who studied theater, piano, and drawing through his last days, Saul Silbert believed strongly in the value of education and self-reliance. Executive Director Sarah Silbert Hinawi is a committed community arts leader and musician. She oversaw Purpl, a community-driven workspace and music/arts venue funded by the Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust, curating opportunities and opening doors for emerging voices.
Nancy Nachama Cheser is an artist, playwright, and educator whose work bridges the movements of the 1960s and 70s to today’s realities. Her poster art from that era created with a collective of women — now in the collections of libraries at Duke University, Radcliffe College, MOMA, Rhode Island School of Design Museum and Smith College - reflected the spirit of art as a response to political realities. As a playwright and lyricist, she brings that same creative urgency to stories and music. Nancy’s recent collaboration Present Perfect, co-written with Mexican composer Jaime Lozano, follows characters navigating language, home, and identity across diverse communities.
La Familia is an organization founded by Jaime Lozano and Florencia Cuenca to foster community and artistic opportunities for Latine and immigrant artists. Jaime Lozano is a Mexican-born composer, orchestrator, and musical theatre storyteller whose work blends Latin musical idioms with theatrical emotion. As a multi-hyphenate artist, Jaime has orchestrated, arranged, directed, and produced across projects both in the U.S. and internationally, was a Lincoln Center Artist in Residence, and collaborated with many of the top artists including Lin Manuel Miranda. Jaime also leads “Jaime Lozano & The Familia: Songs by an Immigrant” — a concert project bringing immigrant narratives to life through music. His journey is one of bridging worlds—drawing from his Mexican roots while contributing to the evolving tapestry of American musical theatre.
The Voices Rising Song Contest is not affiliated with the Massachusetts based group Voices Rising.
Connect
Get in Touch
We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out with any questions or inquiries regarding the contest or submissions.
