![nTOPAZ_logo_1.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/bengy/Hvhcvv1U-nTOPAZ_logo_1.png) ![photo-1522008224169-e5992bed5fae.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSwpHc83ZsrPPbLS3iw6CyEAMgxukHS4jTHdPWEj8FFYU/photo-1522008224169-e5992bed5fae.jpeg) [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/1Pzhr6XPl6k) Today I am announcing a Music Contest for musicians (including singers!), sponsored by @nTOPAZ. Every participant in the contest is of great interest to us at @ntopaz, as we are always on the lookout for new talent on the STEEM blockchain. This is a unique opportunity for you to express yourselves and get extra attention for your music, find new fans and discover other musicians and vocalists.

# Contest Guidelines All music genres are eligible for this contest! No restrictions… ….however, as I currently see so much overproduced “music” in my usual line of work as a professional violinist, I would really like to see entries that are completely live and unedited. No autotune, no added reverb, no mistake editing… just you and your instrument playing with honesty and passion! Please note that you will also need to speak a short word (The word is “SILENCE”) at the beginning of the recording, so I know that you have made this recording for the contest and not from a different time!

# How to join the contest - Step 1: prepare your music for the contest (Practice, Practice, Practice!) - Step 2: make a video or a sound file for your music (remember, no post editing…), remembering to speak the word “SILENCE” at the beginning of the recording. - Step 3: upload your musical work to YouTube or Soundcloud. - Step 4: share your YouTube/Soundcloud link to your post uploaded through nTOPAZ contest page (Steem Connect sign in) at https://www.ntopaz.com/contest/52/ ### Submission period 2 weeks from 3 am UTC on 3 May 2019 to 3 am UTC on 16 May 2019. ### Music judging criteria - Musical interpretation (use of time, character and affect). - The technique and skill shown in your performance (basic musical criteria like intonation and rhythm, plus some instrumental (or singing) skill refinement). - You don’t need to be in the video, I’m not going to watch the video… only listen to it! The music submitted will be curated and selected by nTOPAZ curators. ### Prizes The contest is sponsored by @nTOPAZ and they will award Topaz tokens to the winners. - First Place: 1 winner - 3,000 Topaz Tokens. - Second Place: 2 winners - 2,000 Topaz Tokens each. - Third Place: 3 winners - 1,000 Topaz Tokens each. ### Contest Voting Standards You will also receive upvotes from nTopaz. - The voting Criteria: 30% of the total nTOPAZ voting power expendable for the day will support contest entries with upvotes, this is limited to the top 10 according to Daily respect scores. (However, abuse, plagiarism, and low-quality entries will be excluded.)

# Rules 1. New submissions on Steem blockchain (no repost). 2. Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. 3. Remember to speak the word “SILENCE” at the start of the recording. 4. Copyright: you are responsible for any claims and arising issue from copyright violations. Audio visualization should also be based on free use and have a CC0 license or it should be the video that you shot yourself. **Please be respectful and follow the rules of the contest and [the posting guidelines](https://steemit.com/ntopaz/@smeralda/notice-en-ntopaz-posting-guidelines) when you are submitting your artworks. Spamming will not be tolerated and you are risking being blacklisted by the always active Coordination Team.**

# Example recordings These are the sort of recordings that would be eligible for the contest (ones that are live and don't use a heavy editing prescence).... please note, that in this section, I'm only highlighting eligible entries, and not necessarily the genre or quality of the entries! [Spring Rays, Organ Improvisation](https://steemit.com/classical-music/@organduo/spring-rays-organ-improvisation-vrnefczs) by @organduo [Jam #23 - Music Made for Steem](https://steemit.com/music/@markaustin/jam-23-music-made-for-steem) by @markaustin ["Dejandote Entumecida"](https://steemit.com/dtube/@raymondelaparra/ueoqjzt3) by @raymondelaparra

Thank you for reading about this contest. I hope you take the opportunity to share your music with everyone here on the Steem blockchain and nTOPAZ community. I am looking forward to hearing and seeing your beautiful music. Contest Host: @bengy Contest Sponsor: @ntopaz