The Sparks & Wiry Cries songSLAM is a unique and energizing community event for composer/performer teams to premiere new art songs and compete for cash prizes. Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 in audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres.
With success of the last four years’ added virtual component, we will once again incorporate both recorded and live elements into the 2026 NYC songSLAM. For this hybrid format, all teams will have their entry professionally recorded on February 15 & 16, 2026, AND all teams will perform in the live songSLAM event on February 21, 2026 at 7:30 pm. The recording will and live performance will bothtake place in the Thalia Theater at Symphony Space.
On February 21st, each team will present a new song of no more than 5 minutes for voice and piano, in any language, for the LIVE voting audience, who—in the poetry slam tradition—will then vote on their favorite and award $2,000 in prize money as follows:
$1,000 for first place
$600 for second place
$400 for third place
The virtual component of the NYC songSLAM - a 50/50 fundraiser - will also open on February 21st at 10pm ET and will remain open through March 3rd, 5.00pm ET. As in the last four years, there will be a "text-to-donate" function on the Sparks & Wiry Cries website via Give Lively for as little as $1. Each team will have a unique text code linked to their account. The funds that each team raises during the virtual event will be split 50/50 with the respective team members and Sparks & Wiry Cries, who will use their portion to reinvest into larger commissions, future competitions, and new art song initiatives. On March 4th, we will announce total funds raised, along with our prize winner for the 2026 songSLAM commission prize, on our website and social media platforms.
Registration opens on MONDAY, November 17th, at 6pm ET on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams who do not register in time to be included will have their registration fee returned to them. There is no age limit for those who wish to apply. Click HERE for complete rules and information. Interested musicians should sign up HERE when registration goes live on November 16th.
Please note that registration historically fills up in under 30 minutes – be ready to sign up just as it opens!