Yes, almost four months have past. Post all hints on nominations for work done during 2008 can be posted here! Also ideas on the nomination categories can also be posted here. - Best Unsigned Artist - Best Song from Unsigned Artist - Best Fantasy Album - Best Fantasy Composer - Original Artwork - Best Song from Fantasy Game/Album - Best Fantasy Game Soundtrack - Best Commercial Film/TV Soundtrack - Best Fantasy Website New categories? - Best album artwork?

Yes, almost four months have past. Post all hints on nominations for work done during 2008 can be posted here! Also ideas on the nomination categories can also be posted here. - Best Unsigned Artist - Best Song from Unsigned Artist - Best Fantasy Album - Best Fantasy Composer - Original Artwork - Best Song from Fantasy Game/Album - Best Fantasy Game Soundtrack - Best Commercial Film/TV Soundtrack - Best Fantasy Website New categories? - Best album artwork? What about a "rookie of the year"? For a composer/musician/band, who has shown a lot of potential and been active in the community? Also, you have unsigned artist and best song from unsigned artist. Why unsigned? I mean, technically, I am signed hehe, a many composers are signed to something haha

What about a "rookie of the year"? For a composer/musician/band, who has shown a lot of potential and been active in the community? Also, you have unsigned artist and best song from unsigned artist. Why unsigned? I mean, technically, I am signed hehe, a many composers are signed to something haha How about the "Horizon Award" for the most promising new composer/musician, or the new composer/musician who has shown the most creative growth? Elrond can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the "Unsigned Artist" categories were to give some recognition to new, independent talent that didn't, say, have a deal with a big movie studio or video game company. But the lines between signed and unsigned have become blurred. Sean, do you have an idea for better names for those categories?

I for one am definately for the 'Horizon Award'. Maybe it'll give people like myself more of a chance. I mean, it's amazing to have been nominated, but it does get very disheartening to see people like Dronlan's Tower get every single award. Don't get me wrong, I think they're fantastic, but look at what they say about themselves on their own website...."an experienced composer and gamemaster of 15 years". I've been doing it for..ooh...what...two years? Maybe two and a bit? Definately a rookie compared to them!

Instead of "Unsigned" what if we called them "Independent", signifying someone who may self-produce CDs, or score small, independent films or games, but not a "commercial" composer such as Jeremy Soule or Hans Zimmer? Also, we have a group of fine poets, etc. in the community here. What about a category for "best poem or story" submitted to the forums within the year? So, the suggested new/updated categories so far: Best Album Artwork/Design Horizon Award Best Independent Composer Best Song by an Independent Composer Best Poem or Story

Now we're talking! These is all great suggestions. The "unsigned artist" categories are blurred, yes, that's true. The same goes for a few others too. We should work to distinguish the award categories more. Horizon Award for the most promising new act? Or should we promote the progress of someone too? The unsigned categories are to bring forward small independent composers without contracts. We can change those to Independent. I have had thoughts of a poetry category too. Why not! Just as long as we get enough good nominations. The art category has really not been what I have hoped. But it's up to us to make it spread to more people as well. Now we're getting somewhere!

I'm not ready to nominate yet, but I'm keeping my ears open to: Prince Caspian by Harry Gregson-Williams Into the Gold by Erdenstern Journeys in Darkness by Dronolan's Tower and of course, whatever Sean & Averil are up to, I'm always interested in hearing.

I have my Avalon CD that's on the way..... (one of the tracks can be found over at my icomp page: http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=89220 ) Currently I have Isle of Apples and King Arthur's Men done, but working on more tracks on and off over summer.

I second the poem/story award as it's finally something I stand a chance in if I ever get off my butt and finish anything (seriously, I have two stories to edit before trying to get them published and I haven't done a thing). For the Horizon Award: I think you can just do it along the lines of development and growth of a new artist. Kind of like a rookie of the first few years rather than some new person who creates one good song and drops like a rock.

I have my Avalon CD that's on the way..... (one of the tracks can be found over at my icomp page: http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=89220 ) Currently I have Isle of Apples and King Arthur's Men done, but working on more tracks on and off over summer. Oooh, can't wait to hear it all!

Thanks, Maven! Actually, I've been working pretty fast on these. I've gotten up to track 8, 22 mins in total. I'm aiming for abut 45 mins in total.

I don't know if the movie 10,000 B.C. counts as fantasy...but the soundtrack was awesome! That's my early pick for a nomination!

I think it will qualify Battle and fantastic creatures, what more do you need?

...and the Prince Caspian movie had a great soundtrack, too.

Well with new Za Frumi, Erdenstern, Dronolan's Tower & other CDs, it should be a good year for the fantasy awards. What new music has been your favorite so far this year?

I agree with you there Maven. The two new Za Frûmi albums "Legends act 3 - Cults" and "Legends act 4 - Orders" are among the best dark fantasy releases ever to have been made. I just read 30 reviews of those albums and god what they get good grades. Why is not the two albums played here? It´s not the orcish stuff at all! It´s pure cinematic music with some singing in a non existing language. Amazing! I for sure nominate both the new Za Frûmi albums. /A

I have them in my folder, not just uploaded them

I know it's a bit egotistical, but I'd like to nominate myself for the Horizon award. Personally, I think I've grown in leaps and bounds over the year, especially with my arranging and non-loop work. I'd like to put two tracks up for consideration as nominations that showcase my non-loop work. The first is a totally original track that, in my opinion, showcases the development in my compositional and notational skills, and the second is a traditional song that showcases my arranging skills. Track one: The Lonely Path: http://www.macjams.com/song/47189 Track Two: The Angel Gabriel: http://www.macjams.com/song/48176

Excellent! You are a worthy nominee! I haven't released anything really so I cannot nominate myself. I'm wondering if we should boost this years nominations by using the Elrond's Council and the kings and ladies of the community a little more. Sort of a Academy on the Oscars? What do you think? The year's soon over and we need to get busy picking out the nominees

YES to both posts, Lord Elrond's and Tincolindo! We need our Tincolindo this year! She has been a very busy Elf Daughter in real life working hard on great music! A huge nomination for Tincolindo! Your Council has never let you down! Your Council needs to be put to work!