Chicago Public Libraray announces "Sound Off" competition

The Chicago Public Library announced last week a competition to help support local musicians and draw attention to its updated catalog of CDs, music downloads, sheet music and concerts. The contest asks Chicago musicians to submit compositions inspired by their city. The winners will play at the CHIPUBLIB Sound Off Concert, a free public concert to be held in late October at Pritzker Park, near the Harold Washington Library Center.

The contest will be judged by Chris Force of Alarm Magazine, and The Girls' Guide to Rocking author Jessica Hopper. Submission guidelines are as follows...

The judges will choose winners based on song creativity, quality of performance, and original expression embodying the essence of the City of Chicago. All entries must comply with submission criteria posted at www.chipublib.org/notwhatyouthink.

Ten (10) finalists will be selected by the official judging panel, and of those, two winning entrants will receive distinction as the Grand Prize and People’s Choice Winners.

The Grand Prize Winner, determined by the panel of judges, will headline the CHIPUBLIB Sound Off Concert in late October, where they will perform their composition as well as a set featuring their other music. In addition to their headlining status, the Grand Prize Winner will receive a studio package courtesy of Electrical Audio – founded by legendary recording engineer Steve Albini.

The People’s Choice Winner will be selected by online voters who, from September 28 to October 3, view the top 10 submissions at the CHIPUBLIB Sound Off Vimeo channel and then visit the Not What You Think tumblr blog at http://www.notwhatyouthink.tumblr.com/ for online voting. The People’s Choice Winner will open for the Grand Prize Winner at the CHIPUBLIB Sound Off Concert performing their submission as well as a small set of their other music.

For rules and submission guidelines visit www.chipublib.org/notwhatyouthink. For more help, visit your local public library, browse the music sections, or ask the librarian for tips on inspiration.