Angela Born, Jordan Crice, and Michelle Isaac premiere Isaac’s “What Every Woman Must Not Say” with poetry by 1915 suffragist Alice Duer Miller. (Update: We won 1st place!)

Fourth Coast Ensemble partners with Sparks & Wiry Cries to present the FOURTH annual songSLAM! This event will be emcee'd by Chicago composer Stacy Garrop, whose recent premieres include The Battle for the Ballot for the Cabrillo Festival, The Transformation of Jane Doe for Chicago Opera Theater, and Beacon of the Bay for The Boston Trio.

In the poetry slam tradition, the audience will vote on their favorite debuts of new art songs via text message and award $2,000 in prize money to the top three participating teams.  The competition will be held in-person at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston and broadcast via simultaneous livestream via Fourth Coast’s website.