Bernard Ebb Songwriting Competition

Thank you for choosing to apply to the Bernard Ebb Songwriting Competition!

About the Competition and Awards

The Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards honors the best songwriters in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The contest includes a live performance at Strathmore and will award one songwriter a grand prize of $10,000 and a recording and business strategy package.

One young songwriter under 17 will also be honored with an award of $2,500. All finalists in both categories will receive smaller cash prizes and will be featured on Strathmore’s social media platforms. 

Now in its ninth year, the competition is presented by Strathmore, and the final performance will take place at the Music Center at Strathmore on April 3, 2025.  

Read more about the competition, its founders and history here: https://www.strathmore.org/community-education/bernard-ebb-songwriting-awards/

Priority application deadline:
November 1, 2024 at 11:59pm ET
(save $5 on your application fee)

Deadline for application: 
November 15, 2024  at 11:59pm ET

Performance Date and Award Announcement
Thursday, April 3, 2025 (finalists will be notified of their requested participation no later than January 15, 2025) 

Application Fee
All applicants:
$30 if submitted by November 1
$35 if submitted after November 1

Submissions

• Adult Applicants (18 years of age or older): Applicants must submit three (3) original songs
• Youth Applicants (17 years of age or younger ) Applicants must submit two (2) original songs

All songs must have lyrics.  Therefore, instrumental compositions are not accepted.  All genres are accepted.  Maximum song length is five minutes.  If a song is longer than five minutes, please submit a five-minute except.

Eligibility

• Adult Applicants: Songwriters who are 18 years of age or older and are permanent, full-time residents of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC are invited to apply. Undergraduate students who are from the DMV but are currently out of state attending college out of state may apply using a family address and a photo/scan of a current student ID.  
• Youth Applicants: Songwriters who are 17-years-old or younger and are permanent, full-time residents of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC are eligible to enter under the Young Songwriter category (Young Songwriter entrants must be born on or after October 14, 2006. Please see separate application.).   

Applicants must be available to perform their original songs for a live audience at Strathmore on Thursday, April 3, 2025.  

Please review all application instructions and eligibility information here:
https://www.strathmore.org/community-education/bernard-ebb-songwriting-awards/application-information 

For questions about the competition and application requirements, please email Ebb@strathmore.org.

For technical questions please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.