Contest Info

 

SPARX Hawai‘i Judging/Rating Criteria

The 2024 video submission deadline has now passed.

  • This is a music contest, so performances should be of original or cover songs (dancing, magic, etc., does not apply).

  • Keep performances to around 3 minutes.

  • Performances do not have to be amplified. 

  • Students can choose any location of their preference.

  • Make sure to practice and project. It's difficult to perform without an audience, but they'll want to pretend there are people watching them (because there will be).

  • Good facial expressions vs closing their eyes the whole time singing, etc. 

  • Just remember to have a good time and show passion for what you're doing. Especially on video, you don't want to see people sitting there expressionless.

Why register for the SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest?

  1. You have really good odds of winning. There will be more than one winner from each of the 4 Complex Area schools. 

  2. We have experience in jumpstarting the careers of musical artists. We appreciate musicians and we create the space to publicly present and mentor young musicians.

  3. Participation in our contest will benefit your future in music: 

    • Every winner (4 total) will 

      1. Get a 1:1 talk story session with a musical mentor

      2. Be featured on the SPARX Hawaii website

      3. Go on an all-expense paid trip to O‘ahu

      4. Receive an award

      1. Be filmed at a gorgeous location on O‘ahu, by the HISessions crew. 

      2. Have their audio recording professionally mastered by skilled sound engineers and their multicam video will be edited with the signature HISessions style. 

      3. Be promoted in all communication channels used in the contest.

      4. Receive worldwide online promotion on the HISessions YouTube channel, which has over 400,000 subscribers and gets about a million views a week. Chances to be on our other media platforms - the HISessions television show, Hawaiian Air inflight entertainment, Hawaiian Telcom on-demand, and more. 

      5. Get media attention from electronic and print media outlets.

Your spark may be totally unique…

maybe it’s never been done before on television or the internet. It might feel risky to take the step to share your gift with the world, but trust us, it will be worth it. It might be just the step you need to take to move forward on your path.

ELIGIBILITY RULES

  • Entrants must 

    • Be legal residents of Hawai‘i and reside on Hawai‘i Island in the Kāʻu-Keaʻau-Pāhoa area. 

    • Be a registered student in one of the 4 selected KKP Complex Area schools as a student (7-12th grades). 

    • Have a reasonable ability to sing or play a musical instrument.

    • Be able to commit, if selected as a finalist, to represent your school in the SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest. 

    • Be in good standing at the school

  • This is a solo/individual OR group competition. Contestants will be responsible for musical accompaniment, but can enter as a solo or group act. 

  • If entering as a group, all band members must commit to the above rules. 

  • Contestants may play any song they choose (original or cover). Instrumentals are also accepted. 

  • Each contestant’s performance will be limited to 3 minutes minimum to 8 minutes maximum. 

  • If selected as winner of the contest, be able to commit to attend, perform and be filmed on March 7 or 8, 2023 on O‘ahu. Airfare and transportation costs will be covered for Hawai‘i Island students.

  • If selected as winner of the contest, must be able to follow COVID guidelines for high risk activities as outlined by the State of Hawaii Department of Education.  

  • Video entries must be submitted by 11:59pm Hawaii time on Feb 17, 2023. (The deadline has passed for the current school year.)

    • No mixing or sound enhancement is allowed through any kind of soundboard, including at a recording studio. You must sing live on the video. No lip syncing or sound mixing.

    • The video must clearly show your face. A stationary camera position throughout, showing your face and most of your body, is great. Video editing during a song is not allowed. Each song should be filmed in one continuous take. 

    • School dress code standards apply. If you are selected as one of the 4 finalists from your school, your video will be posted on a public website, so you will be representing your school. You don’t have to wear your school shirt, though you are welcome to, but make sure your outfit is within dress code.

A big mahalo to all the singers and musicians who take the time and effort to enter the contest, the teachers, family and friends who encourage them to enter, and the ‘ohana who support them and the contest.