KARAOKE CONTEST 2025 IS BACK AND SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!!

[otakuforlife]

I know everyone is pretty excited about the Karaoke Contest this coming year.
Last year everyone gave their all and picking contestants came down to the slimmest of margins.

So this is an advanced notice/ teaser of things to come.

WE ARE MOVING THE CONTEST TO A MUCH BIGGER ROOM WITH MORE SEATING.
WE THERE WILL OBVIOUSLY BE EVEN MORE VOTES AND PEOPLE WATCHING THAN EVER BEFORE.
WE ARE WORKING ON BETTER PRIZES (etc) FOR CONTEST ITS SELF
(I'm not gunna lie, even I'm a little nervous)

As for the rules
https://www.animeboston.com/activities/karaoke_rules

Check specifically the contest rules which are more narrow than general rules before submitting.

Keep in mind the tips on how we will rate your submissions

Karaoke Contest Submissions begin 03/25/25 and end 04/8/25.
Good luck to everyone!

[NotYourBuu]

I'm so excited for the karaoke contest!!! Genuinely curious as to why no duplicate submissions though? I can absolutely understand no duplicates between the chosen contestants, but for a submission process I don't fully understand.

I'm imagining this as an example, say I submit "Unravel" from Tokyo Ghoul along with four other people. Out of the five of us, four would be asked to send a new song. Say one of them now decided to sing Gurenge. However, two other people already sent that one in previously... Would that person be asked to send in a third song?

I think it would make sense where even if you had duplicate submissions, you can still judge based on the criteria you're looking for. Not only that, if I send in a song first, but there's someone with much better stage presence and vocal performance who sent the same song, it's not really a fair chance for them because of timing and not what you're actually looking for in a contestant.

Unless I'm misinterpreting anything, but it doesn't seem fair from that perspective and would cause more work for the ones behind the scenes, as well as the people singing who have likely put a lot of time and effort into their song, only to not be considered simply because someone else has the same song.

Again, I'm really excited and looking forward to this event. I hope that if I'm not misunderstanding the guidelines that this feedback would be taken into consideration.

[otakuforlife]

THAT MEANS SUBMISSIONS OPEN IN TEN DAYS

[Cave]

I'm so excited for the karaoke contest!!! Genuinely curious as to why no duplicate submissions though? I can absolutely understand no duplicates between the chosen contestants, but for a submission process I don't fully understand.

I'm imagining this as an example, say I submit "Unravel" from Tokyo Ghoul along with four other people. Out of the five of us, four would be asked to send a new song. Say one of them now decided to sing Gurenge. However, two other people already sent that one in previously... Would that person be asked to send in a third song?

I think it would make sense where even if you had duplicate submissions, you can still judge based on the criteria you're looking for. Not only that, if I send in a song first, but there's someone with much better stage presence and vocal performance who sent the same song, it's not really a fair chance for them because of timing and not what you're actually looking for in a contestant.

Unless I'm misinterpreting anything, but it doesn't seem fair from that perspective and would cause more work for the ones behind the scenes, as well as the people singing who have likely put a lot of time and effort into their song, only to not be considered simply because someone else has the same song.

Again, I'm really excited and looking forward to this event. I hope that if I'm not misunderstanding the guidelines that this feedback would be taken into consideration.

Hi! Thank you for your feedback. This is a new process we just started last year so we appreciate receiving all feedback - negative or positive - with it.

To clarify on the first paragraph, the song for the submission process will be the song performed in the contest which is why the submission process would also require no duplicates. Maybe we could consider allowing for duplicates if many people requested so, but I feel it may be difficult since the two people who sang the same song would be compared more so against each other rather than the contest as a whole. It would put the performer with the "lower quality" performance in a tougher position which they might not have had had they chosen a different song.

I want to make sure I am understanding your feedback. Do you mean you feel that it is better for the submission process if two people submit the same song we pick the person who should resubmit a new song based upon the quality of their performance rather than who submitted second?

Thank you again - we look forward to hearing from you.

[NotYourBuu]

No worries! I totally understand this is a new process. I also completely get wanting to maintain variety and fairness by avoiding duplicate songs in the final round.

I think it would be better to allow contestants to freely audition with their chosen song, and then judge based on performance to determine who will ultimately sing it. Out of five duplicate entries (just as an example), if the choice comes down to two people and it's a really close call, then submission time could be used as a final tiebreaker. That way all performances are considered equally. It wouldn't be necessary to submit a second song with this scenario because you've already narrowed down the entries.

If keeping the second song submission option is something you'd like to stick with and not allow for duplicates for the audition phase, perhaps having us submit our initial entries with our second song choice (perhaps a shorter clip or possibly full song) would be a good way to help narrow things down as well. It might be helpful to have a publicly accessible list of what songs have been taken, that way whoever needs to submit a new song can see what's not available.

I'm sure everyone entering has put in a lot of practice and hard work into their songs and I feel like with the current structure, it doesn't allow for them to be seen because of timing. Especially when there are factors like work, kids, and health that might not let someone submit earlier than others. Yes, you're allowing them to submit a second song, but now they have to hope their second choice isn't already taken and then work with these same circumstances to enter again. Allowing us to freely enter just leaves more flexibility and less work for both the contestants and the judges having to reach out as well.

I hope this makes sense.

[otakuforlife]

We won't be allowing duplicate submissions this year for a few reasons.
Some of them are logistical such as things involving a different submission process than we currently have in place. Other such as variety of content, since its a direct voting based contest.
How does several contestants with the same song (possibly) getting into the finals effect the audiences voting habits? There are a lot of factors to consider before making a sweeping changes, opinions need to be taken into account from both the contestants submitting and what a possible audience would get as an experience.

Then there is the idea of 1v1 with the better performance moving on, this is an issue due to the idea of a second video. Basically it could make it that the lesser performance gets a free resubmission. So that does not seem fair to the people who only submitted once and now have no chance for a second submission. Since normally only one would be able to be sent in. However if a second video was used in this case, we would email that contestant and only allow a song that wasn't done yet to avoid an endless cycle of submissions. Where a possible second song goes against someones primary.

If the general public and contestants want out methods changed we will need opinions on it before making any changes before next years contest.

[NotYourBuu]

There seems to be a disconnect. I wasn't suggesting to change the process for this year and also never said to allow multiple people with the same song as final contestants...

I was suggesting for the future to consider an audition process that would be more open and fair in people submitting a song, and allowing for those behind the scenes that are selecting contestants to narrow down one song for one singer without having to use the option of a second song when we don't even know what songs are being submitted to begin with. There wouldn't be a possibility for multiple people to sing the same song in the contest, because you choose who is ultimately the one person to sing that song.

[Cave]

Thank you for clarifying and sorry for misunderstanding. I do want to make sure we are understanding correctly and not misrepresent what you are saying because I think you are bringing up a very important point.

So if two people submit the same song, we should just decide which one to move forward with rather than reaching out for a second song submission?

(If that is incorrect, feel free to ignore this next part and just clarify again. Apologies in advance.)

I have considered this with the other coordinator and while it may take hassle out of the process, I am not sure it makes it more fair. The reason being if two people submit the same song and both are really amazing performances, then one person would have to receive a rejection simply because they submitted a duplicate song rather than based on their performance.

When we reach out to people who have submitted duplicates we could provide them with a list of songs already submitted or ask them which song(s) they would be interested in doing beforehand and confirm if it's been submitted or not.

I don't think we receive so many submissions currently that it would be too much for us to handle. Looking back at last year's, it looks like we received two duplicate submissions.

[otakuforlife]

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!! GOODLUCK.
(yes I opened them at 12:01am)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... A/viewform

[otakuforlife]

So one thing that was brought up by a possible contestant was the need to include video of you
performing your song. While we do need to hear you sing your song, I totally understand people being camera shy about their submissions. So yes, if you can't have the camera on that won't be at a disadvantage to your submission. However you will be preforming in front of a large crowd so keep that in mind.

[showandtelle]

Should we have gotten a confirmation email after submitting? I sent my entry when I was at an appointment and I'm pretty sure I got to the confirmation page, but didn't take a screenshot. I'm anxious now and second guessing myself on if it went through.

[otakuforlife]

We've been getting some great submissions so far let's keep it rolling!!
Less then ten days until submissions close.

[showandtelle]

Should we have gotten a confirmation email after submitting? I sent my entry when I was at an appointment and I'm pretty sure I got to the confirmation page, but didn't take a screenshot. I'm anxious now and second guessing myself on if it went through.

Following up on this?

[Violetstream]

Should we have gotten a confirmation email after submitting? I sent my entry when I was at an appointment and I'm pretty sure I got to the confirmation page, but didn't take a screenshot. I'm anxious now and second guessing myself on if it went through.

Following up on this?

I’m not running the contest so I’m not the most reliable source, but I’m assuming no? Submissions are through Google forms, and usually you only get a confirmation email from forms if the person running the form chooses to have a copy of the responses sent to people who submit.

[otakuforlife]

Sorry about the late reply here. You would not receive a confirmation email for an entry . If you wish, DM me and I will check on the status of your entry.


Also we have fixed the karaoke application sign up through the sign ups tab. So that is another way people will be able to submit thier entries.

[otakuforlife]

Less then 48 hours remaining for submissions.

[BreadCosplay]

do we know which events the karaoke contest will be running alongside this year? we have other applications in other events currently and want to double check.

[otakuforlife]

Generally we run against Masquerade on Saturday night however things are always subject to change.

[BreadCosplay]

Generally we run against Masquerade on Saturday night however things are always subject to change.

Thanks for such a fast response!! We also are in for In Character Contest which appears to run JUST before Masquerade on Saturday night. Any estimates?

[otakuforlife]

While I can't tell you exact times due to policy at this time.
If you are in Character Contest, you can do Karaoke Contest if selected but it's tight time window.

[Violetstream]

How long after sign ups close can we expect to see results?

[Cave]

How long after sign ups close can we expect to see results?

The anticipated date we will send emails is April 15 - but depending on circumstances it is subject to change.

It's likely the emails will be sent out that evening since me and the other coordinator will be working that day.

[otakuforlife]

LESS THEN THREE HOURS REMAINING!!
GET IN THOSE SUBMISSIONS

[otakuforlife]

WELL SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED, GOODLUCK TO ALL THOSE WHO ENTERED

[otakuforlife]

FIFTHTEEN CONTESTANTS, CHOSEN FOR THE CONTEST!
BIGGER ROOM MORE CONTESTANTS

EMAILS FOR GO OUT TUESDAY THE 15TH.
CONTESTANTS EMAIL US BACK WHEN YOU GET THEM

[showandtelle]

So exciting!!! Curious as to how many submissions you got this year compared with last year? :3

[Cave]

Hi everyone!

I just sent out the emails to everyone who submitted an entry. If you did not receive the email - Please check your spam folder! And try searching for an email from Anime Boston or Karaoke Co-coordinator. I sent the emails by BCC this time so I hope everyone receives them okay.

We had 30 entries this year so less than last time but of no less quality! Just like last year we were impressed by all the entries we received (and some of them became earworms for me these past few days. lol)

For anyone who didn't make it in - please please please submit again next year! Just like last time, it was very close and we want back and forth on almost every submission.

ALSO! As the other coordinator mentioned, we decided to have 15 contestants this year! Usually we have 12 + 3 alternates. We are going to see how it goes without having any alternates to ensure everyone who is accepted gets to participate. And this year since we'll be in a bigger room, we will vote via QR code! Well, we haven't set that up yet so I can't say 100% for sure but that is what we are aiming for. We will still have paper ballots for those who don't want to/can't vote via their phone.

[Cave]

A couple of things to note about submissions.

We did not have any duplicate song submissions this year.

But we did have 2 or 3 submissions that didn't fit the song criteria for the contest. I understand the rules have some gray areas and some songs we may allow at open karaoke but not for the contest. When in doubt, you can ask us or submit the song and we will reach out if it isn't accepted and we'll ask you to submit a new song either before sign ups close or within ~3 days after closing to give the person enough time to re-submit.