Songwriting Competition Guidelines and Submissions

This year’s songwriting competition will be in support of the Crip Trip, a docuseries that follows quadruple amputee (Daniel) and his caregiver (Frederick) as they embark on a road trip across North America, navigating art, the television industry, and their complex friendship – to keep Daniel from being institutionalized.

The winner(s) of this competition have the chance to have their songs included in one or more of the episodes of Crip Trip, a docuseries entering into Season 3, which will air in 2027. 

If chosen as a winner, the team or individual behind the song will receive a sync fee of $500 from the production company. 

By entering this competition, you are agreeing to the following TERMS & CONDITIONS: 

• Bent River Records (BRR) also reserves the right to publish, produce, re-produce, and distribute the finished audio in perpetuity, throughout the world. The songwriter(s) will retain all intellectual property.
• Bent River Records (BRR) reserves the right to select performers for the winning pieces. 
• All entrants must be a current student of MacEwan University.
• Adjudication will be done by a panel of jurors selected by BRR, and will contain members of the department of music, representatives of BRR, and external members selected by the partner production company. The anonymity of entrants will be maintained; judges will not know the identity of the participants they are evaluating until after adjudication is complete.
• By entering this contest you consent to receiving a post-experience reflection survey from Ben River Records and the MacEwan Office of Work Integrated Learning

Bent River Records values, promotes and prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its work. We recognize the systemic barriers that have led to many artists being underrepresented and will continue to do work to amplify and uplift voices that reflect Edmonton’s diverse communities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that represents diverse backgrounds.

DEADLINE FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS: 5:00 PM MST on Friday, December 11th, 2026. 

Winners will be announced by early 2027.

Write a song based on the brief given by Frederick Kroetsch and Daniel Ennett in Room 11-361 Hall on October 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Please come to see their presentation and ask questions.

An archive video of this presentation is available HERE: https://youtu.be/h9zaDtOpkco

Please use the presentation / video as a guide and inspiration for your music.

The competition will accept up to two submissions per participant or group.

Songwriting Competition Guidelines and Submissions

Following his well-received EP “Maybe, Live at the Yardbird Suite”, this release is the culmination of a deep study of the bebop language, combined with the sound and perspective of a contemporary Canadian musician.

Thursday, November 19, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 P.M.
Show starts at 8:00 P.M.

The Yardbird Suite

11 Tommy Banks Way, Edmonton, AB

FREE TICKETS available for MacEwan students. 
Limited availability. General admission: $33

Event Details

PERFORMERS

Jacob Do, tenor saxophone

Kent Sangster, alto saxophone
Tom Van Seters, piano
Paul Johnston, bass
Dave Laing, drums

Friday, October 16th
Doors @ 11:00 PM
Music @ 11:30 PM
Jam Session @ Midnight until 1:00 AM

Performers
Jihye Im, piano
André White, drums
Paul Johnston, bass

Jihye Im is a jazz pianist from South Korea, who is actively performing on the Regina jazz scene as a pianist in the Regina Jazz Orchestra and in several small groups.

She is a member of faculty of the University of Regina and its conservatory of performing arts.

She graduated at McGill in the Jazz performance master’s program and she identifies strongly with the rich and varied jazz tradition. In addition to performing, she is active in composing and arranging compositions both for solo piano and larger ensembles. Her most recent project was commissioned by the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra and Saskatoon Youth Jazz Orchestra to write arrangements of Billy Strayhorn compositions.

Echoing the legendary 1950s and ’60s sessions that kept Strathcona swinging into the early morning hours, this new monthly series re-establishes a vital night-owl haven for our music community as we celebrate our 70th season.

Whether you’re bringing your horn to sit in or settling in as a patron to witness spontaneous late-night improvisation, After Hours is where the real musical conversations happen. All Jam Participants are FREE to attend and must register at the door upon entry to the event. General admission $10.

Full event details and tickets available here: https://yardbirdsuite.com/shows/yardbird-suite-after-hours-jam-hosted-by-jihye-im-trio/

Taylor Davies is a student associate for Bent River Records. She is an artist and designer from Beaumont. Taylor began creating as a young child with her grandmother, Marj Davies, before learning about design techniques and creative digital software. Taylor has been known to push the limits of design through her use of exploratory type methods and textures. Through her position with Bent River Records, Taylor aims to explore new design techniques and gain experience designing beyond the classroom. Outside of design, Taylor enjoys making memories with friends and family, drawing, and spending time by the river.

Elie Bistretzan is a student intern with Bent River Records. He is an engineer, producer, and bassist from Edmonton. A fourth year recording major at MacEwan, Elie hopes to have his own studio someday. His love for music is matched only by his love for working out. When he isn’t mixing, reading about production techniques, or listening to music way too loudly, he spends his time lifting, running, and climbing. Through his internship at Bent River, Elie wants to help plan special events and deepen his understanding of the music industry.

Come check out live performances from Bent River Records competition winners and the exclusive premiere of songs that will be used for the next season of Crip Trip, with the show creators attending as special guests!

Towers Pub
MacEwan University
Friday, March 20, 2026
5:00 – 7:30 pm

Featuring live performances by:
Sydney Amber
Tom Shenher & Patrick Macintyre

And the premiere of songs by:
Kye Howrish
George Kingdon

MacEwan students attending have the chance to win a CD by signing up for a free ticket to an upcoming show!