A Bethesda arts group is holding its first ever Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards and is offering a grand prize of $10,000 to the winner.
Cathy Bernard, president of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and niece of renowned Broadway songwriter Fred Ebb, founded the contest to find local, up and coming musicians.
The event will include multiple rounds with a judging panel of professional artists, venue operators, booking agents and music professors. The first round judging panel will select semifinalists, then a grand prize jury will pick finalists to perform two of their original songs for a live audience on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club.
The award winners will be announced at the end of the performance.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership, which oversees the Arts & Entertainment District, will help organize the contest and event.
Songwriters who are permanent residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C. are eligible. All contestants can submit three original songs, which must include lyrics and can’t be more than four minutes long. All musical genres will be accepted.
Musicians can apply online or download a mail-in application. Entries must be received by December 5, 2014.
Photo via Bethesda Urban Partnership
