APPLY | New Jersey Symphony’s Call for Scores

The orchestra is now accepting applications for their annual Edward T. Cone Composition Institute program from July 9–15, 2023

Currently in its ninth season, the annual Edward T. Cone Composition Institute is a tuition-free program of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), that offers four emerging composers musical and career-development experience.

The successful participants will see their music rehearsed and performed by the NJSO and have the chance to participate in workshops with leading industry professionals, including the Institute’s director Steven Mackey, conductor Case Scaglione, and the NJSO musicians. 

Taking place from July 9–15, 2023, in Princeton, New Jersey, the program will conclude with NJSO giving a public performance of the participants’ works on July 15, 2023. Additionally, the composers will receive housing and meals in Princeton and be reimbursed up to $250 by NJSO towards travel costs.

“The Cone Institute is unique,” Mackey said. “I think what separates the Cone Institute from many of its peer opportunities is its holistic vision of the composer and how we can help composers build their reputation as orchestral composers,” he continued. “In addition to the discussions of compositional technique and esthetics there are sessions with industry leaders, publishers and radio stations that will also be important for a composer’s career development.”

The Institute is open to university composition students and composers at the beginning of their professional careers. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to submit an application.

For more information and to apply, click here. The application deadline is February 24, 2023. 

Presented in collaboration with Princeton University’s (PU) music department, the Institute was designed to promote contemporary orchestral music by supporting emerging composers and began as biennial reading sessions NJSO has held with PU graduate students.