IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition New York 2026 (Regional)

The New York leg of IMSTA's year-round songwriting competition. Each IMSTA FESTA event carries its own regional round, and this one is tied to the New York FESTA on 26 September 2026, with entry limited to people attending that event.

Songs in any genre are welcome, from writers at any stage of their career. Entry costs 20 dollars per song. The song must be entirely your own original work, no longer than five minutes, and uploaded as an MP3. Co-writes are allowed but one name is designated as the entrant, and any prize goes to that person to divide as they see fit. Entrants must be at least 16. The condition that catches people out: finalists are required to be present at IMSTA FESTA for the judging, so this only works if you are actually going.

Judging is on melody, composition, originality and lyrics where they apply. The regional winner goes through to the Global IMSTA Songwriting Competition at the end of the year, against the winners of the other city rounds and the online round, submitting an additional song for that final stage. The global grand prize is a bundle of music software worth over 5,000 dollars; regional prizes are not itemised.

Given what IMSTA campaigns about, one rule stands out: winners may be asked to prove the track was made with legally purchased software.