Opportunities

Bent Frequency presents Underscore_A Call for Scores

Seeks works for any combination of flute, clarinet, saxophone, soprano voice, piano and percussion, from any composers. Up to six selected composers will receive a performance March 9, 2025 in Atlanta, audio and video recording, and a stipend to assist with travel.

NATS Art Song Composition Award

National Association of Teachers of Singing seeks art song works composed in the past two years, for one voice and one instrument, 13 to 25 minutes long. The winning composer will receive $2000, a performance at the NATS Conference in San Antonio, Texas (dates TBA), plus $500 airfare reimbursement and hotel expenses to attend the performance. The winning composition will also be performed on a future concert presented by Cincinnati Song Initiative. The second-place winner will receive $1000, and a third-place winner will also be recognized. The application fee is $30 for professionals and $15 for students. Applicants experiencing financial difficulty may request a fee waiver.

LunART Call for Scores

Seeks works for up to six players, up to 15 minutes, written since 2020, from any women composers. Winners will receive cash prize of $300, a performance at LunART Festival (May 27-June 1, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin), live audio and visual recording, and possible addition to a festival album. Composers who are able to attend the festival will receive free housing, free entry into all festival events, and collaborative rehearsal time with performers.

NATS Mentoring Program for Composers

National Association of Teachers of Singing seeks applications from any early-career composers of vocal music. 10 selected composers will receive one-on-one online mentorship from mid-October 2024 to early June 2025. As a special feature of the program, NATS commissions a song from each of the composer mentees to be premiered by the Cincinnati Song Initiative.

Queer Urban Orchestra Vanguard Composers Competition

Seeks orchestral works up to 10 minutes long, not previously performed in New York City, from any LGBTQ+ composers who have not had their compositions performed by a professional ensemble with a budget of $2 million USD or more. One winner will receive $1000, a performance of the winning composition by Queer Urban Orchestra in New York City in June 2025, and up to $250 in travel reimbursement to work with the orchestra and attend the performance. Two runners-up will each receive a reading and recording in January 2025.

McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies

American Composers Forum seeks proposals for community-focused residencies in Minnesota from music creators outside Minnesota who are beyond early career and eligible to receive income in the US. Two selected awardees will each receive $10,000 to realize their projects, plus a $3000 stipend for travel and lodging expenses.

McKnight Composer Fellowships

American Composers Forum seeks applications from Minnesota-based music creators who are beyond early career and eligible to receive income in the US. Four selected awardees will receive $25,000 in unrestricted funds, up to $3500 to develop works-in-progress, the opportunity to attend a residency program in the next two years, and consultation, time and resources from ACF and Springboard for the Arts.

Mizzou International Composers Festival

Seeks applications from any composers. Eight selected composers will attend festival July 20-26, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. Composers will attend workshops with guest composers and write new pieces for Alarm Will Sound. Composers will receive room and board free of charge.

Alba Music Festival Composition Program

Seeks applications from any composers. Selected composers will participate in program May 24-June 2, 2025 in Alba, Italy, featuring lessons, workshops, performances and recordings. Tuition is 3195 Euros. Housing and meals are available for 890 Euros.

Luna Composition Lab Adventures in Sound Courses

Seeks applications from female, nonbinary or gender-non-conforming composers ages 13-18, based in the US. Selected composers will participate in online courses in the fall and spring semesters of 2024-25, culminating in reading sessions where composers’ works are professionally recorded. Tuition is $240 for each of the two courses. Financial aid is available.

Luna Composition Lab Fellowships

Seeks applications from female, nonbinary or gender-non-conforming composers ages 13-18, based in the US. Six seleced composers will participate in a fellowship from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024, including 16 virtual individual lessons, culminating in a weeklong festival in New York City (travel funding is available) with performance of new works and networking events. Tuition is $800. Financial aid is available.

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra Call for Scores

Seeks 4-10 minute orchestral works related to the holiday season, from any composers. One winner will receive an honorarium of $250, a performance Nov 29, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana, and a possible second performance Dec 3 in Spencer, Indiana. It is preferred if the winning composer attends the performance, and accommodation will be provided.

NBA/Merrill Jones Memorial Young Band Composition Contest

Seeks unpublished works for concert band, up to 8 minutes long, grade 3-4 in difficulty, from composers under age 40. One winner will receive a $2000 cash award and possible publication through Wingert Jones Music, Inc.

Composers Competition for Mixed Choir and Saxophone Quartet

Audi Sommerkonzerte, Arcis Saxophon Quartett and LauschWerk seek 5-8 minute works for SATB choir and SATB saxophone quartet, related to themes present in one or more of provided photographs. Three winners will receive performances in 2025 in Ingolstadt, Germany, and two winners will receive 3000-5000 Euro prizes.

Impulse Workshops – Intro to Computer Music

Seeks any composers for online program including six 90-minute weekly meetings on the Max 8 software, Oct 21-Nov 25. Registration is $200 and limited to about eight participants, first-come first-served.

Impulse Workshops – Portfolio Review

Seeks any composers for two and a half hour online workshop on portfolio design, Sunday, Oct 14. Registration is $100 and limited to three composers, first-come first-served.

Deleuze New Music Collective High School Recording Session Call for Scores

Seeks works up to 15 minutes long for any combination of five or fewer standard orchestral instruments, from composers ages 13-18. Three selected composers will each receive a virtual rehearsal workshop and a professional studio recording in December.

Women Band Directors International Commission Competition for Female Composers

Seeks work samples and proposals for 3 to 3.5 minute pieces for grade 3 concert band, celebrating WBDI’s founder, Gladys Stone Wright, from any composers identifying as female. The winning composer will receive $4500 USD to compose their proposed work, which will be performed by a WBDI member with her band during the 2025-26 academic year. The composer is expected to use part of their award money to attend the rehearsals and premiere.

Composer LabFest with the Ataraxia Duo

Seeks applications from any composers, for online program from Sept 2024 to Jan 2025, featuring 30 hours of online instructional time, including workshops on career development and on writing for harp and cimbalom, and live (Minneapolis) and virtual premieres of new work. 12 spots are available on a first-come first-served basis, with a $50 non-refundable registration fee. Tuition is $750. Limited partial scholarships are available.

The Vibraphone Project Call for Scores

Seeks any works that prominently feature the vibraphone, completed in the past 12 months. Selected works will receive online publicity, publication in a collection, and performance in May 2025 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. There is a $10 suggested donation with submission.