In a sort of “American Idol” meets “Open Mic,” Block M Records presents “New Music on the Block,” a campus-wide competition to select the most original musical piece and performance by a U-M student or group.

Now through Sept. 15, U-M’s new recording label will be looking for compelling and inventive pieces of music. A panel of producers, composers, media personalities and select faculty will review the recorded submissions.

The selected work will be recorded in the renovated studio at the Duderstadt Center. A live public performance of the winning piece will be given in mid October at the center. Block M Records is exploring the possibility of making the recording available through iTunes Music Store.

Submission requirements specify that: entrants must be currently enrolled U-M students, music must be original and written by enrolled students, entrants can range from single composers/performers to groups with up to 100 members, and submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

Block M Records promotes vitality, diversity, and artistic excellence through recording, production, and dissemination of musical compositions and performances by U-M faculty, staff and students.

The label is a subsidiary of the Internet Publication Project—a campus-wide collaborative research program exploring the convergence of multiple technologies in support of the Web-based publication of research.

For more information, visit www.blockmrecords.org.