Film Score Fest is happy to share a speedy film scoring challenge from Quarkestra!
Quarkestra is a live film score band, currently touring with their score for the silent film Nosferatu. If you’re in Minnesota, check it out at the Lagoon Cinema on Thursday, Oct 24, 2025 or Gnarly Bard Theatre on Monday, Oct 28, 2025.
Now for the composing challenge from Quarkestra…
Notesbusters: A Spooky Composing Challenge with Quarkestra
The film clip to score is from the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari:
View & Download here (we’re working on getting a non-phone-recorded version)
Timestamp 25:58–27:10 in the full film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itfPCfVvIK4
- Submit an original music recoding to fit the clip by 10/26 at 12:01am
- Anything goes!
- Winners announced Sat 10/26, 3pm at Casket Cinema!
- At stake: be chosen as a guest composer for a scene in Quarkestra’s 2025 film score for Phantom of the Opera! We will perform and record your theme.
- Also, t-shirts, swag, prizes, music and film hang!
Submit your recording to quarkestramusic@gmail.com by Sat 10/26 at 12:01am
The Celebratory Event
- Casket Cinema
- 681 17th Ave NE #145, Minneapolis, MN 55413
- 3pm – 4:30pm
- Bauhaus Brewlabs after!