F.A.Q
1. When is the submission deadline?
The submission deadline has been extended to SUNDAY, APRIL 8 @ 11:00 p.m. CST. This means that the online submission must be completed, and all items received by this time. See guidelines and categories for more details.
2. Do I have to be a member of my province’s Music Industry Association to submit to the awards or play the Festival?
It is recommended nominees, and those submitting, be a member of a Western Canadian Music Industry Association but is not required. The Western Canadian Music Industry Associations include;
MIA members will receive a submission discount.
3. Are payments accepted only online?
Yes. Once all the information has been entered into the submission package you will be prompted to the payment screen, which will allow you to pay online using only Visa or Mastercard.
4. Are Non-Canadians eligible for any of the categories?
No.
The Nominee:
a. must have lived in either Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon or Northwest Territories for six consecutive months in the past three (3) years
OR
b. must have maintained a residence in either Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon or Northwest Territories for the entire period of January 1, 2011 through to March 31, 2012.
- Groups: 50% of group members must meet residency requirements.
- Proof of residency may be required.
5. Can submissions be made to more than one award category?
Yes.
Each category has its own restrictions and requirements. Make sure to read the Artistic Awards Categories for a complete list of all category specifications.
More than one submission can also be made to the Industry Awards. Make sure to read the Industry Awards Categories for a complete list of all category specifications.
6. What is meant by release date?
The nominee must have released a full-length album recording to radio or retail between January 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.
- Full-length is defined as;
a. the album is either a minimum of 30 minutes.
OR
b. the album contains at least five songs.
- At least 50% of the tracks on the recording must be previously unreleased cuts. “Cut’ is defined as material previously released to radio or retail.
- All recordings must properly credit all songwriters.
- All mechanical royalties must be paid.
Submissions to the Engineer, Producer, Album Design or Video Awards must also follow the release date requirements.
There are no release date requirements to apply to Festival.
7. If an Album/Video has been previously nominated can it be nominated again the following year?
Because the eligibility period is longer than one year, an album may be eligible for two consecutive years. The exceptions are that the album must still meet all eligibility requirements and no album will be selected as a final nominee in the same category two years in a row. As well, an album cannot be submitted in one genre category one year and in a different category the next.
8. What is the definition of full-length Album?
Full-length means that the album is either a minimum of 30 minutes or contains at least five songs.
9. Will EPs be eligible for nomination?
Yes, as long as the EP is either a minimum of 30 minutes or contains at least five songs.
10. What if an Album/EP includes cover songs? Will it still be eligible?
It will be eligible if at least 50% of the tracks on the recording are previously unreleased cuts (a cut is defined as material previously released to radio or retail).
11. Are Seasonal/Christmas Albums/EPs eligible?
Yes, as long as they still fit into a particular genre and meet all of the necessary residency and release requirements.
12. Can submissions be made into both the Classical Recording of the Year and Classical Composition of the Year categories?
Yes.
Make sure to read the Artistic Awards Categories for a complete list of all category specifications.
13. If there is a project that has more then one producer or engineer how should it be entered?
A co-production or co-engineering team may enter as a team or as two separate entries. If making one entry the team will be recognized. If making separate entries the other co-producers or co-engineers must be listed and credited where applicable.
14. Is there a minimum number of submissions needed in order for a category to be included as part of the show?
Yes. There must be a minimum of four submissions to a category in order for that category to proceed as part of the awards show in any year. If there aren’t enough submissions, the category is skipped for the year, and nominees can resubmit their album for the following year.
15. How are the jurors selected?
The jurors will be chosen for their demonstrated knowledge and expertise in their fields and for their impartiality. The WCMA board and staff members are not allowed to sit as jurors or to influence the jurors’ decisions of the juries.
16. Is a full-length album released between January 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 needed in order to apply to the Festival?
No. All that is needed to apply to the Festival is three songs. There are no release date requirements.