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Essentially Choral Call for Scores

Application Deadline: 3/14/2008Seeks scores for the seventh annual Essentially Choral reading session and workshops to be held May 29-31, 2008, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Up to five composers will be selected to have their work read by VocalEssence. One of those five may receive a $3,500 commission to write a new work.

Details

2008 Brochure (PDF)Deadline: Postmarked on or before March 14, 2008VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum (ACF) announce a call for scores for the seventh annual Essentially Choral reading session. Through this program, Essentially Choral seeks creative and innovative works in a wide range of styles and provides a unique opportunity for talented, emerging composers from across the United States.Up to five composers will be selected to have their works-in-progress read by the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, a 32-voice professional chorus directed by Philip Brunelle, and professional orchestra musicians. New York composer Daniel Godfrey will serve as composer-mentor for this year’s reading session. One of the selected composers may receive a $3,500 commission to write a new work. The reading sessions will take place May 29-31, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Essentially Choral affirms the commitment of VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum to the work of today’s composers and the performance of their music. The program is generously supported by a grant from the Jerome Foundation.

COMPOSER COMMENTS

“Thank you for blessing us with this rare, unique and educational milestone for young artists. It was great to find out how much I did not know about writing for choral music: it certainly has made me fall in love with it more!”

“There simply isn’t another group like VocalEssence, with such a high level of talent, professionalism, and warmth. This program is a gem for any composer.”

2008 GUIDELINES:

• Performance history: Essentially Choral calls for works-in-progress. No prior public performance of the work submitted is allowed.
• Eligibility: Only emerging composers 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 be aware 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. Note: If opting for accompaniment, keyboard only is not acceptable.
• 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 https://www.composersforum.org/join.cfm.

AWARDS & BENEFITS:

• $500 honorarium to defray expenses
• Travel and lodging provided by VocalEssence
• One composer may be awarded $3,500 commission for premiere by VocalEssence in the 2008-2009 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 an established professional composer (composer-mentor)
• 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

Please submit the following:

1. Signed and completed application form (Call 651-251-2833 for copy of form or download and print PDF)
2. For a cappella submissions: 2 copies of score (indicate duration on cover page of score)
3. 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)
4. A brief statement saying how this reading will advance your career
5. Resume/vita
6. Self-addressed envelope of adequate size with sufficient postage (if return of materials is requested)
7. 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 five composers will be selected for the reading session.

Deadline
Postmarked on or before March 14, 2008.
Faxes will not be accepted.

Notification
Composers will be notified by April 11, 2008.

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

QUESTIONS?
Contact: Craig Carnahan
Vice President of Programs
American Composers Forum
ccarnahan@composersforum.org
tel: 651-251-2833