Opportunities

National Flute Association Call for Proposals

Seeks proposals for new 6-minute works for low flutes or flute choir, from any composers ages 18+. One winner in each category will receive $4500 to compose the new work, which will be performed at the National Flute Association Convention in Portland, Oregon, August 6-9, 2026. Winning composers are required to attend the performance at their own expense.

LunART Composers Hub

Seeks applications, including 7-10 minute chamber works written since 2022 (available instruments listed within), from any women composers ages 18+. Selected composers will attend program May 27-June 1, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin, including mentorship, masterclasses, and workshops focused on career development, culminating in a professional performance and recording. Tuition is $1050, housing is available for $75 a night, and participants responsible for their own meal and travel expenses.

Emerging Black Composers Project

Seeks work samples from Black composers age 35 and under who are US citizens or residents. One winner will receive $15,000 to compose a new work to be premiered by the San Francisco Symphony, as well as mentorship. Another winner will receive $6500 to compose a new 5-7 minute work for the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra.

Garth Newel Music Center International Composition Competition

Seeks piano quartets of any duration that have not been published, recorded, or professionally premiered, from any composers. The winner will receive $3000 and a $1000 travel stipend to attend the premiere in Hot Springs, Virginia during Garth Newel Music Center’s 2026 Summer Music Festival, plus the opportunity to participate in a short-term residency related to the premiere.

Mizzou New Music Initiative Creating Original Music Project

Seeks original music (notated music or popular genres), from K-12 students in Missouri. Winning composers will receive performances at the University of Missouri in April 2025, and cash prizes ranging from $300-1250.

Colorado Wind Ensemble Inclusive Repertoire Award

Seeks wind band music of any length, grades 1-3 in difficulty, from any historically marginalized composers (self-defined via an artist statement). One selected composer will receive a performance and professional recording during the 2025-26 season, a cash prize of $2000, and the opportunity to participate in a two-day artist-in-residence program at Metropolitan State University of Denver, all expenses paid.

Bang on a Can Summer Festival

Seeks applications from artists ages 21+, who may apply as composers, performers, or both. Selected applicants will attend festival July 14-Aug 3, 2025 program at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, including daily rehearsals and seminars, culminating in three-day festival featuring performances of six-minute new works by composer participants. Tuition is $3750 and room & board is $700. Tuition assistance can be requested upon acceptance to the program. Application is free until December 13, and after December 13 the $40 application fee can be waived if it presents a financial barrier to applying.

Copland House CULTIVATE

Seeks applications from US citizens or permanent residents in the early stages of their careers. Six selected composers will participate in workshop and mentoring program June 2-10, 2025, at Aaron Copland’s historic house in New York and related venues, culminating in performances of new 5-7 minute chamber works. All participants will receive funding to travel from anywhere in the continental US, accommodations, food, and a small commissioning fee.

Horizon Ensemble Call for Scores

Seeks orchestral pieces, 8-15 minutes, or chamber pieces for 7-15 musicians, 8-12 minutes, from any composers. One orchestral piece will be performed in Boston on April 6, 2025, and $150 is available to help the winning composer attend the performance if they choose. Three chamber pieces will be recorded in late spring.

Roots in the Sky Choral Composition Program

Seeks applications, including proposals for new 4-8 minute a capella choral works on themes of earthen materials, from US composers ages 18+. Selected composers will attend program August 21-24 in Bozeman, Montana, including performance of newly composed work, feedback and support on new work, and round trip travel and accommodations.

Texas New Music Festival

Seeks applications from any composers. Selected applicants will participate in festival in Houston, July 6-13, 2025, including workshops, lectures, and rehearsals and performances of three new works. Tuition is $2000, and does not include lodging or food.

Celebris Ensemble Composition Competition

Seeks unpublished 2-5 minute SATB choral pieces from any composers. Selected work(s) will be performed during the 2025-26 season in southwest Michigan.

Fromm Foundation Composer Fellowship

Seeks applications from any composers. Selected fellows will attend Conference July 20-August 3, 2025 at Avaloch Farm Music Institute in Boscawen, New Hampshire, including seminars, workshops, and rehearsal and performance of new pieces. Tuition and room & board are covered in full.

Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds Composition Contest

Seeks 4-8 minute wind band works, Grades III-IV in difficulty, from any composers. One winner will receive $500 and a spring 2025 performance by Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The $25 application fee can be waived if it presents a financial barrier to applying.

Cincinnati Camerata Composition Contest

Seeks choral works up to 5 minutes long, unperformed outside an institutional/educational context, that address the theme of harmony in some way, from any composers. One winner will receive $500 and the possibility of a performance and/or recording by the Cincinnati Camerata.

Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream Composition Contest

Seeks unpublished and unawarded pieces, at least 5 minutes long, written in the past five years, which embrace Gunther Schuller’s concept of “Third Stream” music, breaking down barriers between musical genres. Any composers ages 18-35 may apply. One winner will receive $1200 and a performance at New England Conservatory in fall 2025.

Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra Call for Scores

Seeks 3-15 minute works for chamber orchestra or large ensemble, chamber chorus, or brass quintet, from any composers. Selected works will be performed in Orlando, Florida, between June and August 2025.

Connecticut Summerfest Composition Program

Seeks applications from any composers ages 18+. Selected composers will attend festival program June 12-18, 2025 in West Hartford, Connecticut, including rehearsals and performances of new work, four hour-long private lessons with composition faculty, seminars, and guest lectures. Tuition is $1375 and includes lodging and meals. Application is pay-what-you-wish with a suggested fee of $30.

International Trombone Festival Composers Workshop

Seeks works up to 10 minutes for trombone choir or other instrumentation that prominently features trombone, from any composers ages 18+. Selected composers will be invited to a workshop in London, Ontario, Canada, July 16-19, 2025, including performance of submitted works and a master class with the composer in residence. Workshop registration is $250, and composers are responsible for their own travel expenses. Those unable to travel can receive a virtual lesson with the composer in residence for the price of registration.

Heidelberg School of Music & Theatre Call for New Works

Seeks 3-5 minute works for choir, band, chamber/solo or singer/songwriter, from artists currently attending high school in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan or Pennsylvania. Selected artists will each receive an honorarium of $200, a performance on January 20, 2025 at Heidelberg University (Tiffin, Ohio), and workshop sessions with Heidelberg School of Music & Theatre faculty.