Where Music Meets Purpose.
Lyrics4Life is a songwriting competition & live awards show.
HOSTED AT
IN SUPPORT OF
W/ PRESENTING SPONSOR
Entries are officially open! Season 1 of this extraordinary competition is underway, launching this Fall of 2026 and culminating in a spectacular Spring 2027 Awards Show.
Aspiring songwriters, this is your moment. Enter now for your chance to win a cash prize, a guitar, studio time, and mentorship — all for crafting a song that can whisk listeners away to anyplace, anytime.
Join us for an evening of community and meaningful fundraising as we come together to make a difference with the CHEO Foundation.
Competition details
Season 1 at a glance
Entries open now
$20 per entry · submissions close Nov 8, 2026
Three categories
Youth 13–18 · Emerging 18+ · Established 18+
Your song, your link
Fully original work on your own SoundCloud · max 4:30
Live final — Feb 25, 2027
9 finalists · Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa · winners by live audience vote
Behind the music
Meet the people behind L4L
The heart of Lyrics4Life isn't just the songs on stage — it's the people helping bring them to life. Meet the house band backing every performance, the curators giving each song a fair listen, and the team building the vision.
House band page
Meet the House Band
The Uninvited Guests
Meet the musicians learning every song, finding the pulse in every lyric, and giving each songwriter the kind of support that can turn a performance into something unforgettable.
Meet the band →
Curators page
Meet the Curators
The Song Selection Committee
Music-industry pros who give every accepted song a real listen — scoring each entry and shaping the shortlist that becomes our nine finalists.
Meet the curators →
About us / team page
Meet the L4L Team
The people behind the purpose
Get to know the volunteers, creatives, organizers, and music-lovers building Lyrics4Life from the ground up — a proudly Ottawa mix of heart, talent, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
Explore the team →
Songwriting Competition & Live Awards Show
Feb 25, 2027 @ 8PM
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
