eighth blackbird photograph by Luke Ratray

In partnership with the Grammy-winning ensemble eighth blackbird and the American Composers Forum, MakeMusic is proud to sponsor the first-ever Finale National Composition Contest.

The focus of the competition will be chamber music: Applicants are asked to submit current scores and recordings (by 9/15/2010) that demonstrate their ability to write successfully for eighth blackbird.

Three composers will be chosen as finalists. They will receive a cash prize and be asked to write a piece for eighth blackbird, which will be workshopped and performed in the ensemble’s Chicago studio.

One of these three pieces will be chosen to receive the final prize, which includes an additional cash award and a future public performance by eighth blackbird.

Interested? For complete guidelines and application information visit the contest website. Learn more about eighth blackbird at their site and experience them in action at their YouTube channel.