Norway: MGP 2015 call for submissions now open!

by Peter Russell 1,872 views

Norwegian broadcaster NRK has announced an open call for submissions to their national selection, Melodi Grand Prix. 

Beginning in 1960, this annual competition has been held throughout Norway as a way to showcase Norwegian talent, and ultimately select their representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. 2015 will be no different as host broadcaster NRK has now published the rules and has open the competition for submissions to the grand event.

The submission period will be open until the 1 September, when the appointed jury will review the songs, and choose the entries that will move forward into the televised competition. The final decision is expected in the October/November time frame, with a public announcement to follow later.

Here are the rules for the 2015 competition:

  • All nationalities can submit songs, but Norwegian composers are especially encouraged
  • NRK reserves the right to select artists, but will generally collaborate with composers on the decision; artists must be 16 years of age by May 2015
  • NRK will direct invite select composers and artists to participate in the competition
  • Although final songs will be 3 minutes in length (EBU requirement), submitted demos may be longer
  • The song must not be previously published, and must be 100% original
  • NRK does not impose any specific requirement on the production quality of the demo, but should give an indication of the direction of the song
  • If an entry is selected to participate in the competition, the song will be mastered and edited for the competition by the composer, without financial support from NRK

For those interested in submitting their entry, they are encouraged to do so through the MGP website, or via audio CD. Details on the competition and the submission process are on the site as well.

This year, newcomer Carl Epsen won the Melodi Grand Prix with his emotional ballad Silent storm, therefore gaining the right to represent the Nordic country at the Eurovision Song Contest, placing a respectable 8th in the Grand Final in Copenhagen.

For more on Melodi Grand Prix, Norway, and the Eurovision Song Contest, stay tuned to esctoday.com.