The Sanctuary Sessions

Compete for your chance to record at Sound Sanctuary

Moray’s Got Talent!

Sound Sanctuary is excited to introduce The Sanctuary Sessions, a new music competition designed specifically for musicians across Moray. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting your musical journey, here’s your opportunity to showcase your talent and compete to win professional studio time.

Enter your track

Either a fresh original song or your own creative twist on a favourite cover and you’ll have the chance to win a professional studio recording session at Sound Sanctuary in Elgin. We believe great talent deserves to be heard, and we’re here to make that happen.

So, tune your guitars, warm up your vocals, and press record—this is your moment to shine.

Elgin and Moray talent competition - Sound Sanctuary Recording Studio Elgin Moray

Cover Songs

Original Songs

🎶 How Does It Work?

Simply record yourself performing your music—original songs or covers are both welcome. Your video can even be blank if you prefer; it’s your sound we’re after! Keep it tight and engaging, with a maximum length of five minutes.

📥 How to Enter:

Submit your entry in one of three easy ways:

Upload directly to the Sound Sanctuary Facebook page.
Email your entry to alistair@soundsanctuary.org.uk

All entries will be shared across our platforms, so get ready to showcase your talent to the wider Moray community!

🏅 Judging Criteria:

Our panel will evaluate entries based on:

Talent & Performance (50%) – Vocal and instrumental skills, musicianship, and overall performance quality.
Originality & Creativity (30%) – For original songs, songwriting quality and innovation; for covers, creativity in arrangement and interpretation.
Audience Engagement (20%) – Likes, shares, and overall engagement your entry receives on our social media.

Finalists will be shortlisted by public engagement and evaluated by our panel of friendly, experienced judges.

🏆 Prizes:

Winners: Receive a professional studio recording session at Sound Sanctuary in Elgin to record, mix, and master your track.
Runners-up: Selected runners-up will receive exclusive discounts on future studio sessions and Sound Sanctuary merchandise including a free copy of The Ultimate Song Writing Book and Planner.

📅 Important Dates:

Competition Opens: 1st April 2025
Submissions Deadline: 13th May 2025
Winners Announced: Shortly after submissions close (exact date TBC).

🎸 Tips for Success:

Be Yourself: Show us your authentic style and passion.
Quality Matters: Ensure your audio is clear; it doesn’t need to be professional quality—just good enough to showcase your talent.
Engage Your Audience: Share your submission on your own social media to maximise your chance of being a finalist.

We can’t wait to hear your talent! Good luck, and remember—this is your chance to let Moray hear what you’ve got.

Welcome to The Sanctuary Sessions—where talent meets opportunity.

The Sanctuary Sessions – FAQ

Who can enter?

Anyone of any age who lives in Moray can enter! Whether you're a solo artist, part of a band, or a duo, you're welcome to take part.

What kind of songs can I enter?

There are two categories: Covers (your version of an existing song) and Originals (a song written by you). You can enter one song in each category.

How do I submit my entry?

- Upload your video to the Sound Sanctuary Facebook page.
- Submit via the competition page on our website.
- Email your entry to alistair@soundsanctuary.org.uk.If you submit via email or the website, we will upload it to Facebook for visibility and engagement.

Does my video have to show me performing?

No! Your entry just needs to have audio. If you're camera-shy, you can submit a video with a blank screen or an image instead.

How is the winner chosen?

Talent & Performance (50%) – Your musical ability and overall quality.
Originality & Creativity (30%) – How unique and creative your performance is.
Audience Engagement (20%) – How much interaction your entry receives on Facebook (likes, shares, comments).Finalists will be shortlisted based on engagement and judged by our panel.

What does the winner receive?

The winner in each category (Cover & Original) will receive a professional studio recording session at Sound Sanctuary in Elgin, where we’ll record, mix, and master their winning track!

If you have any other questions, feel free to message us on Facebook or email alistair@soundsanctuary.org.uk!