songSLAM Songbook, Vol. 1

Sparks & Wiry Cries promotes the advancement and preservation of art song by providing opportunities to its creators and performers. Its activities include: Presentation of the songSLAM Festival in NYC Commission and premiere of new works Publication of the Art Song Magazine Creation and co-production of the songSLAM competition for emerging composers, poets and performers around the world The Sparks & Wiry Cries NYC songSLAM is a unique competition for emerging composer/performer teams to premiere new art song. With an eye to the democratic process and equality of access, sign-up is first come, first served, and the registration fee is nominal. During the competition itself, carried out in the poetry-slam tradition, audience members vote on their favorite performances. Cash prizes are awarded. First premiered in NYC in 2015, the songSLAM has now been or will be presented in four countries and 10 different cities around the globe: NYC, Toronto, Vancouver, London, Ljubljana, Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Buffalo, with even more growth on the horizon. The songbook is a selection of sixteen of the most promising songs premiered since its inception. Many of them were prize winners, though not all. Including works by: Daniel Castellanos, Abigail de Niverville, Natalie Draper, Whitney George, Wally Gunn, Meg Huskin, Felix Jarrar, Laurence Jobidon, Isaac Lovedahl, Liam Moore, Haley Olsen, Nathan Scalise, Tilen Slakan, Evan L. Snider, Dennis Tobenski, and Jason Weisinger.