American Composers Orchestra Announces Five Opportunities for Composers

These include the EarShot Call for Scores, in partnership with Indiana University and Lawrence University

The American Composers Orchestra (ACO) has advertised five opportunities for composers, including calls for scores and composer residencies. At the heart of these is the ACO's Earshot Call for Scores, in partnership with the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music.

The Jacobs School of Music is hosting composer workshops focusing on expanding the definitions and experiences of American orchestral music from March 25 to 27, 2025. Eight participants will work with established composers, and four will be invited back in Fall 2025 to hear Jacobs musicians perform their works. Apply here.

Lawrence University is hosting a workshop on May 12-13, 2025, for composers who have a work for new music ensemble of between 5 and 15 players (including saxophone). The works will be rehearsed, performed, and recorded. The workshop particularly encourages composers who work with graphic scores and other alternative notation, as well as improvisation, to apply. Four places are available; apply here.

The American Composers Forum McKnight Composer Fellowships are open for applications. These are open to mid-career composers living in Minnesota, and offer $25,000 in unrestricted funds, $3,500 towards the development of works in progress, and attendance at an artist residency. Apply here by October 29, 2024.

There are also McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies for those living outside Minnesota. Two residencies are available, and each composer will receive $10,000 towards their proposals, as well as a stipend of $3,000 for travel and lodgings. Projects should engage with Minnesota communities. Apply here by October 29, 2024.

Finally, Third Coast Percussion is offering a $2500 honorarium for a composer to write a new work for percussion quartet, as well as travel reimbursement of $1000 for US-based composers and $1500 for international composers. Apply here.