The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District announces the second annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards. The competition is seeking the best, up-and-coming, songwriters from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The adjudicated contest will award one talented songwriter a Grand Prize of $10,000. The award also includes a young songwriter category for which an aspiring songwriter who is younger than 18 will have the chance to win $2,500.

Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are eligible to apply. Applicants are invited to submit three original songs. Each song must have lyrics. Therefore, instrumental compositions are not accepted. All genres are accepted. Maximum song length is 4:30min.

A jury will select the finalists who will each perform two of their original songs for a live audience on Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club. The award winners will be announced at the end of the show.

Songwriters can apply online at www.bethesda.org. Entries must be received by Friday, November 6, 2015.