Join the Beats on the River Competition
🎧 Turn the Sounds of the Chicago River into Your Next Beat! 🌊
Submissions Due August 17, 2026 (Extended Deadline)
Calling all producers, musicians, beatmakers, and audio creators! The Beats on the River Competition invites you to transform the sounds of the Chicago River into an original remix that tells a story, sparks creativity, and inspires environmental action.
In partnership with Friends of the Chicago River, Solidarity Studios, and with support from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), participants will receive access to the Sounds of the Chicago River Sample Pack—a unique collection of recordings captured along the river that you can incorporate into your production. By incorporating the sounds of the river into your work, you help highlight the importance of protecting and restoring one of Chicago’s most valuable natural resources while inspiring others to see the river in a new way.
Whether you create hip-hop, electronic, ambient, house, experimental, or something entirely your own, we want to hear your interpretation. While judges will give special consideration to submissions that reflect historical, ecological, and cultural themes of the Chicago River, all genres and styles are welcome and encouraged.
Your Challenge
Download the sample pack. Create an original track using at least one sound from the Chicago River. Then submit your remix for a chance to be featured and win prizes.
Why Submit
- Showcase your music at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum on August 28, 2026
- Win an exclusive Chicago River prize pack
- Have your work promoted and heard by the City of Chicago, a vast network of environmental organizations, and environmental activists.
How to Submit
Download the sample pack, create your remix, and submit your track before July 29, 2026.
