THE ARTISTS FORUM is proud to announce the winners for this year’s MUSIC COMPETITION, featuring 10 works that best highlight our 2023 Competition Theme – THE BODY POLITICAL.
These works have been created by independent artists originating from 6 countries: Armenia, Italy, Malta, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Finalists are (in no particular order):
“Sleep is My Only Relief” by Karen Braysher (UK) & Peter Zasuly (US)
“Gravity” by Vahagn Stepanyan (Armenia)
“November Thirty-Third” by Cedric van Eenoo (US)
“Machine” by Meg Pfeiffer (US) & Luca Stricagnoli (Italy)
“I Do What I Want” by Meg Pfeiffer (US) & Luca Stricagnoli (Italy)
“Fits Just Right” by Randy Sauer (US)
“The Glory Road” by Eytan Ribner (US)
“Seeking the Mesosphere” by Marcelle Abela (Malta)
“Farsh” by n0trixx (Russian Federation)
“Intrecci” by Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
See winners listings below.
Congratulations to all our Finalists!
Thank you to our 2023 Music Competition Jury: Giuliano Ciabatta, Jonathan Solars, Katie Thomas, Joi Veer, Amos White V
Finalists works were showcased and winners announced during our Juried Arts Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2023 at the Dolby Screening Room NYC — 1350 Avenue of the Americas at West 55th Street (Lobby Level) in Mid-town Manhattan.
THE ARTISTS FORUM MUSIC COMPETITION, part of our Juried Arts programming, is open to musical artists of all genres seeking to gain exposure in the New York City and international music and media markets.
Its mission is to provide an accessible platform for songwriters and composers to present their best work for juried selection, increase artist communication and business contacts, provide career advancement opportunities, and publicly acknowledge talented artists in an industry-saturated arena.
Each submission, reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, is rated upon its individual merits. Finalists in each category are judged against one another and a winner declared.
All selected finalists are eligible for a television studio or Zoom interview to be promoted on our online platforms and via THE ARTISTS FORUM: AFTV – a 20+ year arts based television program broadcasted from mid-town Manhattan in New York City.
THE ARTISTS FORUM INC., now in its 25th year, is a New York City based non-profit arts service organization specializing in events, juried competitions, and media for artists. The organization provides an unparalleled platform for emerging and mid-career artists to share their stories with the world’s creative communities.
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2023 MUSIC COMPETITION – FINALISTS, WINNERS, AND JUDGES
AWARD LISTINGS
2023 MUSIC WINNERS
BEST AMERICANA SONG: Sleep is My Only Relief (Karen Braysher (UK) & Peter Zasuly (US)
BEST CHILDREN’S/HOLIDAY/NOVELTY SONG: Fits Just Right (Randy Sauer, US)
BEST CLASSICAL/OPERATIC COMPOSITION: Intrecci (Andrea Montalbano, Italy)
BEST HIP-HOP/RAP SONG: Farsh (n0trixx, Russian Federation)
BEST JAZZ/BLUES COMPOSITION: Gravity (Vahagn Stepanyan, Armenia)
BEST POP SONG: Machine (Meg Pfeiffer (US) & Luca Stricagnoli (Italy)
FINALISTS & WINNERS SUBMISSIONS
Farsh
1:53 min (2021)
Writer/Performer: n0trixx (Russian Federation)
HIP-HOP / RAP CATEGORY
Fits Just Right
2:58 min (2021)
Writer/Performer: Randy Sauer (US)
CHILDREN’S/HOLIDAY/NOVELTY CATEGORY
Gravity
4:18 min (2023)
Writer: Vahagn Stepanyan (Armenia)
Performers: V. Stepanyan (Armenia), G. Howe, P. Lassiter (US)
JAZZ / BLUES CATEGORY
Gravity – Vahagn Stepanyan feat. Greg Howe & Philip Lassiter
I Do What I Want
2:43 min (2022)
Writer/Performer: Meg Pfeiffer (US) & Luca Stricagnoli (Italy)
ROCK / ALTERNATIVE CATEGORY
Intrecci
5:24 min (2023)
Writer: Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
Performer: Chie Yoshida (Japan)
CLASSICAL / OPERATIC COMPOSITION CATEGORY
Machine
2:59 min (2022)
Writer/Performer: Meg Pfeiffer (US) & Luca Stricagnoli (Italy)
POP CATEGORY
November Thirty-Third
3:00 min (2023)
Writer/Performer: Cedric van Eenoo (US)
JAZZ / BLUES CATEGORY
November Thirty-Third – Cedric van Eenoo
SEE SOCIAL / SEE WEBSITE
Seeking the Mesosphere
4:36 min (2022)
Writer/Performer: Marcelle Abela (Malta)
WORLD MUSIC CATEGORY
Sleep is My Only Relief
4:10 min (2023)
Writer: Karen Brasher (UK) & Peter Zasuly (US)
Performer: Karen Brasher (UK)
AMERICANA CATEGORY
The Glory Road
4:55 min (2023)
Writer/Performer: Eytan Ribner (US)
COUNTRY CATEGORY
JUDGES
Giuliano Ciabatta
Giuliano is an Italian creative producer expert in audio-video and digital technology with a degree in fine arts and computer graphics. He started his career as musician, songwriter and sound engineer (Apple Solution Expert and Pro-Tools certified). He produced records and music shows in theaters and around the world with Carnival UK Cruise Ships.
Jonathan Solars
Jonathan is a world leader in the sale of historically important instruments. With a degree in Violin Performance from Oberlin, he holds the distinction of being one of only three Certified Members of the Appraisers Association of America. Jonathan is a Board Member of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition and the Elevar Foundation.
Katie Thomas
Violinist Katie Thomas earned her Bachelors and Masters at the Manhattan School of Music. She has collaborated with many prominent orchestras. Most recently, Katie has recorded on Sarah Jarosz’s Grammy winning album “World On The Ground,” Rosanne Cash’s album “She Remembers Everything,” and The O’Jays final album “The Last Word.”
Joi Veer
Joi Veer is an established artist of music for TV and has many diverse vocal and instrumental collections across multiple genres that continue to place in dramatic film, reality TV, sports, and YouTube. Human experience and condition are his most fascinating palettes delivered thru his signature vocals. He constantly redefines his artistic license.
Amos White V
Amos is an inter-disciplinary multimedia artist, event producer, and exhibit designer. A graduate of the College of Human Ecology at the University of Maryland, College Park, Amos bridges his passion for the arts and human relations with the formation of THE ARTISTS FORUM.
