Call for Scores: American Composers Orchestra EarShot Readings with the Kalamazoo Symphony

Selected composers will receive a $6,500 fee and a professional recording of their work — applications will close on May 4, 2025

The American Composers Orchestra (ACO) EarShot Readings with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) are set to take place in Kalamazoo, MI on October 7-9, 2025. Composers can submit works of 5 to 7 minutes in duration, to be scored for the Artists-in-Residence chamber ensemble — which comprises string quartet, clarinet, oboe, trombone, and timpani.

Following the workshop, each piece will be professionally recorded (with recordings provided to the composers free of charge), and will be programmed for a performance in a future KSO season.

The call for scores does not carry an application fee, and travel and local accommodation will all be provided for the composers selected, and each composer will receive a commission fee of $6,500.

To be eligible, composers should have had no more than two pieces performed by a professional orchestra of 30+ players (excluding composer advancement initiatives and college or festival performances).

Applicants must be either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or enrolled student in the United States with a valid student visa. Mexican, Canadian, Caribbean, Central American, and South American applicants must be a citizen of their respective country or an enrolled student in that country with a valid visa.
There are no age restrictions, though composers should be in the early stages of their career, and cannot have already participated in an ACO EarShot Reading.

You can read more and apply here. The deadline for submissions is May 4, 2025.

Previous review panelists include Shawn Okpebholo, Michi Wiancko, Kathryn Alexander, David Biedenbender, Lisa Bielawa, Chen Yi, Anthony Cheung, Rob Deemer, Man Fang, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jimmy López Bellido, Bright Sheng, Eric Nathan, Clint Needham, Gabriela Ortiz, Elizabeth Ogonek, Kate Soper, Ken Ueno, Dan Visconti, Wang Jie, Wang Lu, Xi Wang, Trevor Weston, and Lidiya Yankovskaya.