Calling All Composers: SongSLAM Competition Registration Begins

Jordan Brown
CBS 62/CW50 Intern

The annual songSLAM competition will be held in a location outside of New York City for the very first time. The event scheduled for Tuesday, November 28 at Kerrytown Concert House at 415 North 4th Avenue in Ann Arbor.

The contest allows emerging composer/performance teams to showcase their talent for cash prizes. The sponsor Sparks & Wiry Cries embraces artistic diversity and more specifically, encourages musical composition, performance and storytelling.

A total of $2000 will be awarded to the top three teams. First place is $1000, second place is $600 and third place is $400. All teams will have 5 minutes to perform an original song in which the audience will vote on. In the past years, songSLAM has been known to have prominent MC's. This year, the distinguished composer/pianist/vocalist team William Bolcom and Joan Morris will be lending their talents and listening ears.

Tickets for the general public will be $10. Composer teams that wish to partake in the competition will be able to apply starting September 15th at 6pm. The cost to register is $10 per team. Potential performers are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later as there are only 10 performance and 5 alternate slots available. The slots are filled on a first come basis. There is no age limit.

Teams can register at www.artsongmagazine.org/songSLAM

The first songSLAM event was wildly successful, selling out completely and leaving the venue with standing room only. This will be an exciting opportunity for people to come out and enjoy new music and see new performers, and also for composers to showcase their works!

Jordan Brown is a senior at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Electronic Media and Film Studies with a minor in Communication. Jordan enjoys historical documentaries and hopes to join the field of investigative journalism. She enjoys reading, writing and consumes way more chocolate than she should.