The Evan Erickson Music “2024 Call for Scores”

Now entering its 4th year, the Evan Erickson Music “2024 Call for Scores” initiative aims to provide for a community of composers who are lacking the resources to hear their music performed by real performers. These composers are often overlooked for a multitude of reasons:

  • They lack access to a dedicated music education because of their geographical location
  • Their financial situation has made going to music school or hiring performers impossible
  • They are self-taught
  • Disabilities and luck have made it difficult to meet performers
  • Considering a career in music did not align with their life path, but they still have music in their heart
  • Etc.

Most composition opportunities and competitions that show up are specifically aimed at finding “the best” composers to commission, which limits so many talented voices around the world from simply experiencing the joy of hearing their music performed. Just because they might not be as privileged as a student at a top United States conservatory, it does not mean their voice does not deserve to be heard and recognized. More resources need to be invested in cultivating interest from early-career composers, and this opportunity has been a platform in finding composers from all sorts of unique backgrounds who have heard few to none of their pieces ever performed live (e.g. a composer with no music education working at Target, an ex-industrial engineer who experienced a health crisis pushing them out of their career entirely, a retired IT worker…).

Since starting in 2021, this initiative has been able to help bring 14 composers (1/2 of them representing non-US countries) receive one of, if not, their first-ever composition premieres. The opportunity has received roughly 400 submissions from deserving, unknown composers representing more than 50 countries around the world.

In order to provide unknown composers with great prizes, give exposure, and allow their music be brought to life by real instruments, this opportunity is seeking composers from anywhere in the world who have heard no more than 5 of their pieces premiered across their life to submit (not including self-performed premieres). Please contact Evan at evanericksonmusic@gmail.com if you do not meet this requirement, but you still feel you deserve consideration for this opportunity.

A $5 to $10 donation (or what you can afford) is STRONGLY requested along with your application to support the project’s longevity for years to come, allow Evan to continue presenting the opportunity at national conferences to inspire more performers to create opportunities like this, and cover administrative costs (e.g. Evan’s time judging every entry, website costs, fiscal sponsorship fees). But, there is no entry fee so nobody applying is left out or discouraged from applying.

3 composers will be selected to receive the following prizes:

  • $400 paid commission to compose a 5-10 minute work (length can be discussed) for solo EFX clarinet (clarinet and guitar FX pedals)
    • Along with the opportunity to write a 1-2 minute etude experimenting with the EFX clarinet to receive a recording and feedback by Chris Mothersole prior to writing the commissioned work
    • Each work will receive a performance and studio recording in Spring 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. All works will be applied to an international conference with aims to give more exposure to the selected composers. Travel to Memphis is not required.
  • Premiere performance of the commissioned piece by professional clarinetist Chris Mothersole (sponsored by Royal Global and Brian Corbin Clarinet Products)
  • Professionally recorded and mastered track of the commissioned piece for the “2024 Call for Scores” compilation album
  • Professional engraving of the commissioned piece by Evan Erickson
  • Sponsored by Dorico, a copy of Dorico Pro 5 ($579) will be provided. *If a winner already has Dorico, this prize will be given to runner-ups to give them access to further resources for their composing
  • Sponsored by Wallander Instruments, a copy of Noteperformer 4 ($129) will be provided. *If a winner already has Noteperformer, this prize will be given to runner-ups to give them access to further resources for their composing