THE ARTISTS FORUM MUSIC COMPETITION: 2021 (#theartistsforummusic) concluded its third session, showcasing 18 finalists, highlighting our 2021 Competition Theme: (THE) POLITICS OF EMOTION.
Our 2021 Official Selections were created by independent songwriters & composers originating from 10 countries: France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Winners were announced at our Juried Arts Awards on December 28, 2021 virtually from New York City. See their acceptance speeches above and their links, and work samples below.
Thanks to our 2021 Music Jury Panel: Man Parrish, Giuliano Ciabatta, Jonathan Solars, Katie Thomas, Joi Veer, Amos White V
COMPETITION DETAILS
Each submission, reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, was rated upon its individual merits. Finalists in each category will be judged against one another and a winner declared. Our list of competition winners is forthcoming.
All selected finalists were 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.
Winners in their category received an opportunity for production mastering of one track by music legend Man Parrish.
Our Grand Prize Winner is Taylor Fagins. He will receive an exclusive mentorship from multi-award-winning songwriter, producer, and publisher Jeff Cohen, plus a Mixing and Mastering session from music legend Man Parrish.
THE ARTISTS FORUM INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION, part of our Juried Arts Festival 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.
THE ARTISTS FORUM INC., now in its 23rd 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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2021 MUSIC COMPETITION – FINALISTS, JUDGES, AND WINNERS
WINNERS & FINALISTS LIST
2021 MUSIC WINNERS
CLASSICAL/OPERATIC COMPOSITION: “Horizon I” by Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
ROCK/ALTERNATIVE: “Greed Incorporated” by Shondra Jepperson (US)
PROTEST/FREEDOM/PEACE: “We Need More” by Taylor Fagins (US)
ELECTRONIC/DANCE: “Wrong Humans” by Makichi (Iran/France)
CONSCIOUS/INTROSPECTIVE MUSIC: “Metamorfosi” by Lira Bekbolatova (Kazakhstan)
INDIE/SINGER-SONGWRITER: “Stop the Shame” by Ajay Mathur (India/Switzerland). & Mary Lou Austreng von Wyl (US/Switzerland)
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Taylor Fagins for “We Need More” (US)
2021 MUSIC FINALISTS
CLASSICAL/OPERATIC COMPOSITION: “A Wild Horse” by Maria Rago (Italy)
PROTEST/FREEDOM/PEACE: “Black Hurts” by Terry Blade (US)
CLASSICAL/OPERATIC COMPOSITION: “Eagle’s Flight” by Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL: “Elohim’s Theme” by Ryuho Okawa (Japan)
WORLD MUSIC: “Hiyaku” by Jonathan Galland (France)
PROTEST/FREEDOM/PEACE: “It Took A Law 2 Make Me Human (An American History Lesson)” by Fredi Walker-Browne (US)
CLASSICAL/OPERATIC COMPOSITION: “La Camera Incantata” by Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
ROCK/ALTERNATIVE: “Live your Life Today” by Conny Conrad (Germany)
AMERICANA: “Momma Said” by Steve Harris (US)
CHILDREN’S/HOLIDAY/NOVELTY: “North Jersey Detectives” Christopher Hoyle (US)
ROCK/ALTERNATIVE: “Send Me A Little Light” by Conny Conrad (Germany)
CLASSICAL/OPERATIC COMPOSITION: “The Nature of Humanity” by Alexander Collins (UK)
WINNERS & FINALISTS
A Wild Horse
1:49 min (2021)
Writer: Maria Rago (Italy)
CLASSICAL / OPERATIC COMPOSITION CATEGORY
Black Hurts
3:27 min (2021)
Writer: Terry Blade (US)
PROTEST / FREEDOM / SONGS OF PEACE CATEGORY
Eagle’s Flight
7:02 min (2018)
Writer: Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
CLASSICAL / OPERATIC COMPOSITION CATEGORY
Elohim’s Theme
10:37 min (2021)
Writer: Ryuho Okawa (Japan)
Arrangement: Sayaka Okawa, Yuichi Mizusawa
GOSPEL / INSPIRATIONAL CATEGORY
Greed Incorporated
3:03 min (2018)
Writer: Shondra Jepperson (US)
ROCK / ALTERNATIVE CATEGORY
Hiyaku
3:35 min (2020)
Writer: Jonathan Galland (France)
Vocalist: Danica Lipetsky (US)
WORLD MUSIC CATEGORY
Horizon I
5:08 min (2016)
Writer: Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
CLASSICAL / OPERATIC COMPOSITION CATEGORY
It Took a Law 2 Make Me Human
(An American History Lesson)
3:22 min (2021)
Writer/Vocalist: Fredi Walker-Browne (US)
PROTEST / FREEDOM / SONGS OF PEACE
La Camera Incantata
7:35 min (2020)
Writer: Andrea Montalbano (Italy)
CLASSICAL / OPERATIC COMPOSITION CATEGORY
Live Your Life Today
3:41 min (2018)
Writer: Conny Conrad (Germany)
Vocalist: Gerd Kannemann
ROCK / ALTERNATIVE CATEGORY
Metamorfosi
3:00 min (2021)
Writer: Lira Bekbolatova (Kazakhstan)
CONSCIOUS / INTROSPECTIVE MUSIC CATEGORY
Momma Said
2:36 min (2020)
Writer/Vocalist: Steve Harris (US)
AMERICANA CATEGORY
North Jersey Detectives
3:12 min (2018)
Writer/Vocalist: Christopher Hoyle (US)
CHILDREN’S / HOLIDAY / NOVELTY CATEGORY
Send Me a Little Light
4:14 min (2020)
Writer: Conny Conrad (Germany)
Vocalist: Gerd Kannemann
ROCK / ALTERNATIVE CATEGORY
Stop The Shame
3:42 min (2021)
Writer: Ajay Mathur, Mary Lou Austreng von Wyl (Switzerland) Vocalist: Ajay Mathur
INDIE / SINGER-SONGWRITER CATEGORY
The Nature of Humanity
4:59 min (2020)
Writer: Alexander Collins (UK)
CLASSICAL / OPERATIC COMPOSITION CATEGORY
We Need More
4:47 min (2020)
Writer/Vocalist: Taylor Fagins (US)
PROTEST / FREEDOM / SONGS OF PEACE CATEGORY
Wrong Humans
6:36 min (2021)
Writers/Vocalists: Makichi: Farshad Khoshnoud, Sonia Kelichadi (Iran/France)
ELECTRONIC / DANCE 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.
Man Parrish
The Godfather of Electronic Music, Man is one of music’s most influential figures. He’s made over $5M in record sales + $80M via the Grand Theft Auto series. Two film scores and music video for “Hip Hop Be Bop” are in the MoMA permanent collection. Record/Remixing for Michael Jackson and others, he continues work as a lecturer, composer, and DJ.
Jonathan Solars
Jonathan is the NYC Managing Director of Florian Leonhard Fine Violins. With a degree in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and former Sales Manager for René A Morel, Jonathan formed his own consultancy in 2008. In 2015, He opened the NYC shop for Florian Leonhard, continuing their record of excellence in the US.
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.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
2021 COMPETITION PROGRAMS
2021 Juried Art Competitions Program
2021 JURIED AWARDS VIDEOS
2021 Juried Awards Ceremony
2021 Music Awards
2021 Music Competition Call-For-Entry Video
