The Music and the American Revolution Competition

Our challenge to you is simple and exciting: Create a song that bridges generations, capturing the vibrant spirit of the many voices of the American Revolution, and you could win the attention of music industry professionals, as well as one of our $3,500 prizes.

Craft a melody that resonates with us today, connecting us to the nation’s founding generation—men and women, Black and white, native-born and immigrant alike. Whether it's a song of hope, yearning, unrealized opportunities or fresh perspectives, let your music illuminate the past and inspire a brighter future!

Put your own modern spin on a song from the era (1760-1788), or compose an entirely new piece that connects us to that time. Either way, make it yours and make it for today. Let us hear new things about our shared pasts, tease new meaning out of songs sung by the Revolutionary generation and make the past relevant as you help us hear the past while singing for the future.

This competition is open to high school and college-age musicians, as well as young independent artists who are under the age of 30. We want to hear what you can do and to give you a platform to do something fresh, new and exciting. Can you breathe new life into stories that all too often come across as dry and irrelevant to the present day? Let’s find out!

First, decide your path. Will it be a new composition or a reinterpretation of historic music? Either way, think about what you want to say about why the American Revolution matters.

• If you decide to reinterpret an old song, we are looking for music from the time period between 1760-1788. There are great archives to explore. For starters, take a look at the Library of Congress’s online collections and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
• If you decide to write a new piece, think hard about the feelings you want to evoke and the connections to the Revolutionary Era you want to make. Then, get to work on your composition.
• Looking for more inspiration? Visit our Artist Resources page for more!

Once you are happy with your music selection, record it and mix your most polished and professional-sounding audio track. Your entry can only be 60-90 seconds long, so choose the best part of your composition or reinterpretation carefully. There is a short form to fill out on the submission page—be sure to respond to each prompt or question and then upload it to our competition portal beginning October 15, 2024.

Each entry must conform to the following technical specifications:

• Each participant is allowed only one submission. Submit your best work, as additional entries will not be considered.
• Audio submissions should be between 60 and 90 seconds in length. 
• Make sure your file is in one of the accepted formats (e.g., MP3, WAV or OGG) to ensure compatibility with our system.
• File must not exceed 10 MB in size.
• Do not submit images or videos. Submissions that include images or videos will be rejected without review.

It's that simple. Our judges will take it from there. Winners will be notified in January 2025 and announced on February 22, 2025. 

Have questions about the competition? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page and see our Official Rules too.