Much of Dan Visconti’s musical output has been informed by his background as an active jazz and rock guitarist. Inspired by both the directness of expression and maverick spirit of the American vernacular, his works often explore gritty timbres, complex textures, and propulsive rhythms — elements that tend to collide in unexpected ways with Visconti’s experience as a classically-trained violinist, resulting in a musical stance one reviewer describes as “both mature and youthful, bristling with exhilarating musical ideas and a powerfully crafted lyricism.” Visconti studied composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Yale School of Music, primarily with Margaret Brouwer, Aaron Jay Kernis, Ezra Laderman, and Zhou Long.

The Janaki String Trio, winner of the 2006 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, is the first ensemble of this type to capture the award in the nearly 60-year history of the competition. The Trio’s New York debut on the CAG Series at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall was praised by The New York Times as “magnificently polished” and exhibiting “an irresistible electricity.” Founded at the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles in early 2005, the ensemble won the 59th Annual Coleman Chamber Music Competition in the same year. The ensemble takes its name from the Sanskrit word Janaki (YAHN-uh-kye), which symbolizes self-realization — the underpinning artistic and spiritual ideal entwining composer, musician and listener.

Concert Artists Guild is a non-profit organization founded in 1951 whose mission is to discover, nurture and promote young musicians. CAG's annual international competition identifies gifted artists and presents the winners at its New York concert series. CAG also provides management services that include booking engagements, marketing and publicity support, and recording opportunities. CAG also commissions several new works each year and actively seeks non-traditional venues for classical music performances.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

The postmark deadline for entering the 2007 competition is Tuesday, May 15, 2007. All entries will be judged under pseudonyms.

Unique in New York City's cultural landscape since its founding in 1978, Symphony Space presents more than 500 events each year in music, literature, dance, theatre, film and family programming, and is renowned for its adventurous programming. Signature events include "Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story," hosted by Isaiah Sheffer and broadcast on 150 National Public Radio affiliates; "Bloomsday on Broadway," the annual marathon celebration of James Joyce's Ulysses; "Upper West Fest," a three-week cultural extravaganza involving more than 20 neighborhood institutions; and "Wall to Wall," the free annual 12-hour musical marathon, which The New York Times called "a gift to New York City." Symphony Space's programs annually attract diverse audiences from throughout New York City and the metropolitan area and, including recording, touring and media efforts, reach nearly 500,000 people nationwide.

The Colorado Quartet celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2007-08 as a groundbreaking ensemble: the first all-female quartet to establish a career among the very top ensembles in the world. The group began with spectacular fanfare in 1983 by winning two international competitions within ten days: The Naumburg Chamber Music Award and the First Banff International String Quartet Competition. The ensemble has devoted its career not only to the classics - the first female ensemble to perform the complete Beethoven Quartets in western Europe and North America -but the performance and commissioning of new works by American and international composers. Some of these works are included in the group's extensive discography. The Colorado Quartet is in residence at Bard College and Conservatory in New York, and founded the Soundfest Quartet Institute in 1991.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

BMI composer Jim Pugliese (seated) is presented with a check by BMI Foundation officers Robbin Ahrold (VP), Gary Roth (VP) and Ralph Jackson (President) during his recent visit to the New York office. Pugliese is the BMI Foundation's Composer-in Residence at New York City's LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, where he teaches composition. Funded by the Foundation, the program teaches young composers to express themselves and to use their own voices when composing music, to produce and rehearse music for a concert, and to write programs and notes. Their debut concert last year at the Hallmark in downtown Manhattan was so successful that the students have been asked to perform other concerts there. They will also perform two concerts at the high school in March and in May. In addition, senior Lauren Buchter has been selected to have her new string quartet performed by the New York Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Jim Pugliese's background includes 25 years playing drums and percussion, composing music and recording. He has performed and/or recorded with such artists as John Cage, Lukas Foss, Kent Nagano, Philip Glass and Carlos Chavez. He can be heard on over 60 CD’s of new music, jazz and rock, and is an accomplished performer and composer in the United States, Europe and Japan. Pugliese has performed at numerous international and regional festivals and venues including Bang On A Can, Victoriavillle, Tampere, Saalfelden, Nicolsdorf Jazz Festivals, Roulette, The Knitting Factory, Dance Theater Workshop, Symphony Space and Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival. He also spent 12 years as a member of Dean Drummond’s Newband and The Harry Partch Ensemble.

In 1997, Pugliese's collaborative trio, EasSide Percussion with Christine Bard and Michael Evans, released their first CD on Avant and are about to release a follow-up on the same label. He was also Artist-in-Residence at Harvestworks in New York City in 1998, where he recorded his solo CD Sonic Soul. He performs regularly with Philip Glass and his band Soultronix, and is preparing for a solo concert for extended drums and percussion at Roulette this spring.