2012 Essentially Choral Application Guidelines

Download the 2012 Essentially Choral Application

Eligibility

• Performance history: Essentially Choral calls for works-in-progress. A work-in-progress is a work that has never been publicly performed, recorded, published or for sale.  No recordings of the work should be available.  Preference will be given to new and experimental works, as we advocate for compositions that challenge the composer’s creativity to develop quality works that will have the potential for future performance.

• Eligibility: Only emerging composers residing in the United States may apply. “Emerging” composers are at an early stage in their careers, with as-yet little peer recognition, no national reputation (as determined by prior performances and awards), and limited professional opportunities. Individuals enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs are not eligible to participate in Essentially Choral with the following exception: If a composer enrolls in an undergraduate or graduate degree program or takes classes while maintaining a current and active professional practice of creating and presenting work to the public, she/he is eligible to apply.

• Voicing: SATB, SSAATTBB or variations thereof. Both a cappella works as well as those with instrumental accompaniment of up to five instruments are eligible. Note: Other voicings are accepted but note that there are 32 singers in total.

• Instrumentation (optional): Any combination of instruments of up to five players, i.e. woodwind quintet, brass quintet, string quartet, guitar, percussion, harp, keyboard and doublings. Other instruments may be acceptable as well. If orchestration is not yet written, please list the instrumentation and define how you would re-score the work.

• Duration: 5-8 minutes. If submitting more than one movement of a larger work, send full score with clear indication of the excerpts you wish to have read in order of preference.

• Text: Sacred or secular, medieval to present, ranging from spirituals and early gospel to new and experimental writing styles, appropriate for concert setting. Proof of public domain or author’s written permission for use of text is required. (Note: Most modern translations of the Bible are protected by copyright.)

• ACF membership: You need not be a member of American Composers Forum to apply. If selected, you must become a member to participate. Membership information is available by calling 651-228-1407 or at www.composersforum.org.

Awards & Benefits

• $500 honorarium to defray expenses

• Travel and lodging provided by VocalEssence for the reading sessions that will take place April 26-28, 2012 in Minneapolis-St. Paul

• One composer may be awarded $3,500 commission for premiere by VocalEssence in the 2012–2013 season, either incorporating music read at Essentially Choral or a completely new work, at Philip Brunelle’s discretion (American Composers Forum and VocalEssence reserve the right not to make the commission award.)

• Mentoring sessions with Philip Brunelle and composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate.

• Professional development sessions for emerging composers

• Rehearsal with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers; rehearsal session with instrumentalists as needed; reading session with the Ensemble Singers, professional instrumentalists (if applicable to the work) and conductor Philip Brunelle

Submission Requirements

• Signed and completed application form (download from link at top)
• For a cappella submissions: 2 copies of score (indicate duration on cover page of score)
• For submissions with instrumental accompaniment: 2 copies of score (indicate duration on cover page of score); 2 copies of chorus parts (with instrumental cues or piano reduction, measure numbers and markings that match those in full score); sample of 1 complete instrumental part; and description of instrumentation (if not included in score)

• A brief statement saying how this reading will advance your career
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Optional: $5.00 check made payable to American Composers Forum for return of your application materials
• Please DO NOT SEND RECORDINGS.

Selection Process

Applications and scores will be screened for completeness by the American Composers Forum staff. VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle, VocalEssence Associate Conductor Sigrid Johnson and composer Cary John Franklin will make the final selections. Up to seven composers will be selected for the reading session. 

Deadline

Postmarked on or before Friday, December 9, 2011. Faxes will not be accepted.
 

Notification

Composers will be notified by the end of February 2012.
 

Send To

Essentially Choral
American Composers Forum
332 Minnesota Street, Suite E145
St. Paul, MN 55101

Questions

Contact: Claire Tiller
Program and Social Media Manager
American Composers Forum
ctiller@composersforum.org
651-251-2842