The Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program 2024
Session 2: October 2–7 | Fellowship Festival

Applications are now OPEN! The deadline is on May 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern.
Program co-Directors: Max Tan and Aaron Wolff | Composer Mentors in Residence: Sean Friar and Marc Migó Cortes

The Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program empowers emerging composers by providing resources to further build their careers. The program gives composer fellows:

  • Repeat performances of already completed works by world-class artists, including workshop and rehearsal opportunities with resident Festival artists. Last year’s festival included guest musicians from Sarasota’s ensembleNEWSRQ depending on the instrumentation required.
  • Interview with Tyler Kline, host of Modern Notebook on WSMR, Sarasota’s Classical Music radio station
  • Mentorship from award-winning composers Sean Friar and Marc Migó Cortes
  • Community with composer and performer peers at the Sarasota Steinwachs Artist Residences
  • Public speaking events to practice lecturing skills and self-advocacy, including audience outreach presentations at a pre-concert reception.
  • Residency space to work on current projects
  • High-quality performance recordings for their portfolio, produced by ensembleNEWSRQ at the First Congregational Church of Christ in Sarasota
  • Access to chamber music rehearsals, concerts, and broadcasts presented by performers in residence at the Fellowship program

Application Details

The online application will close on May 17 at 11:59 PM Eastern. You can prepare the following materials to facilitate your application.

  • Application Form
  • Your CV as a PDF (please include education history, mentors, festival and performance history, etc.)
  • A list of completed works (include titles, instrumentation, duration, composition and premiere dates, links to recordings where applicable)
  • At least 1 sample score as a PDF with accompanying audio (Please do not submit more than 3 representatives works. Your audio recordings must be of the works you submit.)
  • 1 Recommender Contact (this can be a professor, mentor, or colleague/collaborator who we will reach out to for a letter)
  • Brief Artistic Statement (Please share 1-2 paragraphs answering the question: What is your mission as a composer? Upload as a PDF)

Quick Facts

Dates: October 2–7, 2024

Application Opens: March 30, 2024

Application Deadline: May 17, 2024 (closing at 11:59pm Eastern)

Eligibility: Fellows must be at least 18 years old during the Fellowship dates. Applicants may be of any nationality, and the festival is happy to provide documentation for students in need of a visa.

Cost: $1500* – We are pleased to be able to offer some financial aid this year, but no full scholarships will be offered.

Application Fee: $30 – Fee waivers are available, email info@soundboxventures.org to request more information.

*This covers all program offerings such as recordings, rehearsal, workshop, and performances. Lodging is included – all fellows receive their own private room in a luxury 3-bedroom apartment with furnished living room and kitchen. Food is not included, though some discounted meals are available at participating restaurants. Fellows must be responsible for travel costs.