This month, embrace the mystique of the Chinese Zodiac. Each zodiac animal carries a unique legacy of traits, embodying diverse stories from the ancient Chinese astrological system. This challenge is about more than just music; it's about connecting with the spiritual animal that mirrors your birth year and expressing its essence through your creative vision.
The Challenge
Discover the zodiac animal that represents you by your birth year. Is it the tenacious Tiger, the wise Snake, or perhaps the jubilant Monkey? Use the rich symbolism and attributes associated with your zodiac animal to inspire your musical creation.
Your mission is to craft a piece that reflects the characteristics, mythology, and spirit of your assigned zodiac animal. Whether it's through the assertive brass for a Dragon or the serene strings for a Sheep, your composition should resonate with the persona of your zodiac sign.
Instructions
- New Composition: Compose a fresh piece specifically for this challenge—no adaptations of existing music.
- Score Description: In the description of your score, you must specify your zodiac animal and explain how your piece captures its essence.
- Time Limit: Your composition should last between 1-4 minutes.
- Submission: Only one entry per participant. Collaborations are not permitted in this challenge.
- 📬 Submit your score 👉🏽 here.
Scoring Criteria
We will evaluate your submission based on the following aspects:
- Emotional Resonance (30 points): How well your music embodies the traits and spirit of the zodiac animal.
- Creativity (25 points): Originality in melodies, harmonies, and the use of instrumentation that reflects the zodiac theme.
- Engagement & Narrative Flow (20 points): The ability of your piece to engage listeners and effectively convey the character of the zodiac animal.
- Thematic Alignment (15 points): The accuracy and depth with which your composition represents the zodiac animal.
- Founders enjoyment (10 points): The Flat founders’ personal appreciation and overall connection to the piece.
Bonus Points
Enhance your score with these creative additions:
- Zodiac Fusion (5 points): Incorporate elements from both your zodiac animal and its zodiac opposite to create a piece that explores the dynamic tension and harmony between contrasting traits.
- Call of the Wild (3 points): Emulate sounds from the natural habitat of your zodiac animal using instrumental techniques, such as bowing overtones for a tiger's roar or flutter tonguing on a flute for a snake's hiss.
- Zodiac Whisperer (3 points): Conclude your composition with a solo instrumental line that 'whispers' the core qualities of your zodiac animal, leaving a lasting emotional impression.
Prize
- 🏆 The winner will receive:
- A one-year Premium subscription to a leading music notation software.
- Recognition in our monthly newsletter.
- A bespoke virtual trophy in honor of their zodiac animal.
Deadline
Ensure your compositions are submitted by March 23, 2025, at 23:59 GMT-5. Entries received after this deadline will not be considered.
Dive into the lore of the Chinese Zodiac and let your musical creativity flow.
We’re excited to hear how you interpret your spiritual zodiac animal in music! 🎵