If All Rochester Wrote The
Same Song:
"What Did
I Miss?"

Sunday,
March 12, 2023
@ 4pm

Tickets are now on sale for Rochester’s most exciting showcase of its local and diverse songwriting talent!

THIS YEAR'S SHOW

The Title: "What Did I Miss?"

After a three-year covid-induced hiatus that left all songwriters around the world stuck at home only to perform for their cats and house plants If All Rochester is back with a vengeance!

Over 80 local songwriters submitted a song,  making it exceedingly difficult for our judging panel to narrow the selection to only 17 songs. Thank you to all those who submitted, and congratulations to those who’ve been accepted!

We are excited to be partnering with the JCC Centerstage to put together a concert that is fun and vibrant! The show will be on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 4 pm.

The Songwriters

Poster by Alison Cotè - Logo Design by Mike Sukhenko

The Show's Host

This year’s show will be hosted by Cinnamon Jones, an absolute staple of the Rochester music scene AND a fantastic songwriter in her own right.

The House Band

About the show

If All Rochester Wrote The Same Song is an annual songwriting challenge that was started in 2015 by Rochester musician and writer Sarah Long Hendershot. Each year a song title is released and local songwriters submit songs based on the prompt. Songs of all genres, moods and themes are encouraged with the only requirement being that the song is inspired by the title.

After the deadline closes 15 of the submitted songs are selected to be performed on stage with a house band, creating a unique showcase of the talent and creativity of this town.
This show has been a great opportunity for Rochester writers to meet, collaborate and uplift each other!

  • 300 +

    songs submitted

  • 5

    shows since 2015

  • 100 +

    songs performed

2020 - "No One Will Ever Know"

2017 - "How Did We Get Here"

2015 - "Don't Go Drinking On An Empty Heart"

2018 - "I'm A Fool For This Town"

2016 - "You'll Thank Me Later"

THE ARTIST BEHIND THE POSTERS

Lucinda Storms 

Lucinda Storms is a self described “Painter, ragpicker, flame geisha & wayward fusspot who should spend more time painting and less time with the torch.”

Follow her on Instagram

Find out more about her on her website

SUBMIT YOUR SONG

Be Part Of The Show—Send Us Your Song!

Record your song and email it to rochestersongs@gmail.com along with a lyric sheet. Your song does not need to be recorded in a studio, you can do it on your phone! We are looking for great songs, not great recordings.

Submissions due by September 30th, 2022 October 10th, 2022!

OUR TEAM

A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

“Local songwriter and radio host Scott Regan was looking through fellow songwriter Jeff Riales’ notebook when he was delighted to find “Don’t Go Drinking on an Empty Heart” scrawled across the top of the page. Word of this magical title spread through the ROC music community, and over the next several years, more than 25 songwriters wrote a song by that title.

My husband Jones and I always thought an entire show of songs with the same title would be fascinating and fun, so in 2015 we dove in and had our first show at Bernunzio’s Uptown Music. It was inspiring to perform surrounded by Julie and John’s beautiful vintage instruments.

We had so much fun that first year, we decided to keep going. The concept has proven to be quite popular, and eventually we outgrew our beloved Bernunzio’s, and moved the show to the historic Hochstein Performance Hall. When Jones and I relocated to Spain in 2020, we passed the show into the capable hands of Sarah De Valliére, Steve Piper, and Kelly Izzo Shapiro. We are delighted that the tradition will continue, and interested to see the new and exciting directions they take it!

What I love most about this show is that it is a catalyst for the creation of art. Music is written based on our titles that would not have existed without the prompt. And the spectacular diversity of the songs that are created is a testament to the smart, creative, talented musicians of Rochester, NY.

Now go get writing!”

– Sarah Long Hendershot – Founder

CONTACT US

Questions? Write to us and someone from the team will get back to you ASAP!

FAQ

What is If All Rochester Wrote the Same Song?

If All of Rochester Wrote the Same Song is an annual songwriting challenge and concert. A title is released in spring and Rochester area songwriters are encouraged to write a song on that year’s theme. Then an anonymous panel of judges will chose the top 15 songs to be performed in concert at the JCC.

When and Where is this year's concert?

This year’s concert will be held on March 12, 2023 at 4 pm at JCC Centerstage.

When are submissions due?

Submissions will be due on September 30, 2022 October 10, 2022

What is this year's title?

This year’s title is “What did I miss?”.

How do I submit my song?

Record your song and email it to rochestersongs@gmail.com along with a lyric sheet. Your song does not need to be recorded in a studio, you can do it on your phone! We are looking for great songs, not great recordings. Simple is fine. And yes, you may submit multiple songs!

Hmm...I have more questions...

No problem! Contact us and we will respond to you ASAP (usually in 2 business days).