Elevated
Tracks
305
A Love Song to Miami
Miami has never formally adopted an official anthem.
We think it’s time.
Miami is one of the most musically influential cities in the world. From Latin pop and hip-hop to jazz, electronic, and R&B, its sound has traveled globally.
Yet unlike cities such as New York or San Francisco, Miami has never formally adopted a defining song that represents its identity.
Elevated Tracks 305 is a citywide invitation to change that.
This is not just a contest.
It is a civic cultural moment.
What Is Elevated Tracks 305?
Elevated Tracks 305 is a global open call inviting anyone with a meaningful connection to Miami to write an original, contemporary song that captures the city’s rhythm, resilience, complexity, and cultural influence.
We are looking for a song that feels like Miami – today and for the next generation.
Led by Elevate Miami and Guitars Over Guns in collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, this initiative brings together civic leadership, youth development, and world-class music education.
AWARDS
Awards in each category (Adult and Youth):
- First Prize Award: $10,000
- Second Prize Award: $2,500
- Third Prize Award: $1,000
- Awards may be subject to applicable taxes.
- In the Youth category, awards will be issued to a parent or legal guardian on behalf of the minor.
- Additional recognitions or honors may be added depending on the quality and volume of submissions.
- Winners will be announced in May 2026.
Finalists and winning artists may receive opportunities such as:
- Public performances at major Miami venues or civic events
- Media coverage
- Social and digital amplification
- Participation in future Elevate Cities music initiatives and storytelling programs
Performance invitations are optional and are not required in order to receive an award.
Guided By Grammy-Winners And Miami’s Music Leaders
Elevated Tracks 305 is supported by iconic global artists and respected industry leaders with deep Miami roots. Together, they bring Grammy-level artistry, mentorship, and institutional leadership to this citywide search for Miami’s next contemporary anthem.
Honorary Co-Chairs
- Gloria Estefan – Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and global music icon
- Emilio Estefan – Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning producer, entrepreneur, and architect of the Miami Sound
- Danny Flores – Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter
- Rico Love – Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer
- Rudy Pérez – Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter
- Jon Secada – Latin Grammy and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
Distinguished Jury
- Julio Bagué, Executive Vice President Latin Division, Peermusic
- Chad Bernstein – Founder & CEO, Guitars Over Guns
- The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami
- Rey Sanchez – Associate Dean
- Dan Strange – Department Chair
- Ian Hölljes – Adjunct Professor of Voice
- Craig Carothers – Lecturer and Songwriting Artist-in-Residence
- Roxana Amed – Lecturer of Contemporary Voice
conditions
Who Can Enter?
The contest is open to anyone with a meaningful connection to Miami. Residency in Miami-Dade County is not required.
Two categories:
- Youth: under 18 at time of submission
- Adult: 18 and over
Notes:
- Only one submission per entrant
- Youth entrants must have parent or guardian consent if selected as a finalist or award recipient
YOUTH ENTRANTS
Participants under the age of 18 may submit entries with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Entrants must be under 18 years of age at the time of submission.
If an award recipient is under 18 years of age:
- Any monetary award will be issued to the participant’s parent or legal guardian on behalf of the minor.
- Elevate Prize Foundation may require a signed parental consent and release form prior to issuing any award.
- Parent or guardian consent may also be required for publicity, performances, or related program participation.
What We’re Looking For
Submitted songs must:
- Be an original work created by the entrant(s)
- Be no longer than 3 minutes and 30 seconds
- Include original lyrics
- Be submitted in a format and at a quality suitable for public listening
- Identify all collaborators
- Identify one lead composer or collaborator if multiple contributors are involved
Entrants represent and warrant that they are the sole owners of the submitted work or have secured all necessary permissions from collaborators.
How Winners Are Chosen
Screening Round
Student screeners from the Frost School of Music and Guitars Over Guns will review submissions through an anonymous screening process.
Expert Judging Round
An independent panel of artists and music industry professionals will review semifinalists and recommend finalists. Judges may include:
Faculty and leaders from the University of Miami Frost School of Music
Artists, producers, and music educators
Leaders from Guitars Over Guns and other music organizations
Conflict-of-interest safeguards will be enforced to ensure fairness.
Evaluation Criteria
Judges may evaluate submissions based on:
Emotional and lyrical connection to Miami
Musicality and craftsmanship
Originality
Artistic excellence and performance quality
Potential for broad public resonance
Radio friendliness
Questions artists might consider:
Is the song authentically connected to Miami?
Does it make someone feel something about this city?
Is it memorable?
Is it distinctly original?
Is it simply a great song?
PUBLIC VOTING
April 28 – May 5, 2026
Finalists will advance to a public voting phase hosted on Submittable.
Public voting provides community input and may be considered alongside expert judging and other factors in determining award recipients.
Judging panels, partners, and public voting provide advisory input only. Final award decisions are made at the sole discretion of Elevate Prize Foundation, doing business as Elevate Cities.
What to Submit
Please submit the following:
- A streaming link to your song (SoundCloud, Disco, or similar platform)
File uploads or Dropbox links will not be accepted. - A short artist bio (100 words) describing you and your connection to Miami
- Full names of all collaborators and identification of the lead collaborator
- Disclosure of any AI tools used in the creation process (see AI policy below)
All entries must be submitted through Submittable. Submissions sent by email or social media will not be considered.
If you do not already have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to create a free account.
Submission Period
Submissions open: March 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
Submissions close: March 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We align with policies adopted by ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN regarding AI in music creation.
AI tools may be used as part of the creative process if meaningful human authorship is present.
- Works that are entirely AI-generated without substantive human authorship are not eligible.
- Prompts alone do not constitute human authorship.
- Partially AI-generated works must include meaningful human creative contribution.
- Entrants must disclose whether and how AI tools were used in the creation of the submission.
Copyright protects original expression created by human authors, even if AI tools were used to assist the process. Purely AI-generated material is not protected.
Rights and Ownership
Artists retain full ownership of their work.
For purposes of this section, “Program Partners” means the University of Miami Frost School of Music, Guitars Over Guns, and any official Elevated Tracks 305 event producers, broadcasters, or civic collaborators formally designated by Elevate Cities.
Our guiding principle: Artists own their work. We amplify it.
Ownership
Artists retain full copyright ownership of their compositions and recordings.
Nothing in this program transfers ownership to Elevate Cities or its Program Partners.
License to Elevate Cities
By submitting a song, entrants grant Elevate Cities and its Program Partners a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to use the submitted work for civic, cultural, educational, promotional, and archival purposes related to Elevated Tracks 305 and related Elevate Cities programming.
This license includes the right to:
Publicly perform the work at events
Stream or display the work on websites and social media
Synchronize excerpts of the work with video for promotional storytelling
Include excerpts in promotional trailers or event documentation
Edit or excerpt the work for promotional use
Elevate Cities may sublicense these rights only to official program partners or collaborators associated with Elevated Tracks 305.
Non-Commercial Use
The work itself will not be sold, commercially licensed, or monetized as a standalone revenue-generating asset by Elevate Cities.
The work may appear at ticketed events or on monetized platforms where monetization is incidental to broader programming.
Artist Rights Preserved
Artists remain free to release, distribute, license, monetize, or otherwise commercially exploit their work independently.
Representations and Warranties
By submitting, entrants represent and warrant that:
They are the owners of the submitted work or have permission from all collaborators
The work is original
The work does not infringe the rights of any third party
Any samples or third-party material used have been properly cleared
All collaborators are properly credited
Entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless Elevate Cities and its Program Partners from any claims arising from a breach of these representations.
Finalist Agreement
Finalists and winners may be required to sign a separate Artist Agreement confirming these terms before participating in performances, broadcasts, recordings, or receiving awards.
ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to making Elevated Tracks welcoming and accessible to all.
If you require accessibility support or reasonable accommodations, please contact:
ich39@miami.edu
PROGRAM AUTHORITY AND TERMS
Elevate Prize Foundation, a private operating foundation doing business as Elevate Cities, authorizes Elevated Tracks 305 as part of its charitable mission to celebrate creativity, civic pride, and community leadership.
This program is designed as an educational and cultural initiative that elevates local voices and supports artistic expression.
All awards are made at the sole discretion of Elevate Prize Foundation, doing business as Elevate Cities.
Judging panels, partners, and public voting may provide advisory input, but the Foundation retains sole and final authority over:
- Program design
- Evaluation processes
- Selection of award recipients
MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION
Elevate Prize Foundation reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the program if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.
GOVERNING LAW
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida.
Submission of an entry constitutes acceptance of these terms.
Full Official Rules and Terms of Participation are available at:
elevatecities.submittable.comKey Dates
Submissions Open
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
Submissions Close
Monday, March 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Judging Period
March 31 – April 27, 2026
Public Vote
April 28 – May 5, 2026
Winners Announced
Early May 2026
Awards
In both Youth and Adult categories:
1st Prize Award – $10,000
2nd Prize Award – $2,500
3rd Prize Award – $1,000
Winners and finalists will receive:
- Citywide and national amplification
- Media coverage
- Live performance opportunities
- Digital promotion across partner platforms
Prizes may be subject to applicable taxes.
Youth winners require guardian consent.