RiverFest 2024 Singer/Songwriter Contest Judging Criteria

Each year three individuals are chosen from the music industry to serve as the RiverFest Singer/Songwriter panel of judges.  They use specific criterion and a designated numbering system (seen below) to select the first, second, and third place winners with the highest number of points winning first place, the next highest number of points winning second place, and the third highest number of points winning third place.

Points are tallied and double checked by an Our Santa Fe RiverFest team of counters. 

Authenticity/Composition    1   2   3   4   5

• The song has a clear theme or cohesive idea that clearly identifies the Santa Fe River
• The song has clearly identifiable sections, verses, chorus, etc.
• The song has a great new spin on the songwriter’s given genre

Quality of Lyrics                    1   2   3   4   5

• The lyrics evoke an emotional response from the listener
• The lyrics are singable and memorable
• The lyrics have an identifiable rhyme scheme or pattern

Melody and Music                 1   2   3   4   5

• The music and melody add to the emotional impact of the song
• The music keeps the listener interested and engaged
• The music and lyrics fit together in a cohesive way

Originality                              1   2   3   4   5

• The song expresses the Santa Fe River in a new or fresh way
• The lyrics and melody are the artists own words and music composition
• The song has commercial potential

Performance                          1   2   3   4   5

• The musician(s) are energized and confident
• The musician(s) are communicative with facial expressions/gestures that make sense and engage the audience
• The musician(s) limit the length of their song to 4.5 minutes