EarShot Berkeley Symphony Under Construction Submission Guidelines

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be either a U.S. citizen or non-citizen lawfully and permanently residing, or studying full-time, in the United States. There are no other geographic restrictions; however, San Francisco Bay area composers are encouraged to apply.
  • There are no age restrictions; however, applicants should be composers at the early stages of their professional careers. Composers must not have had a work performed (other than a reading) by a Bay Area professional orchestra, nor have had a substantial history of works performed by professional orchestras at large.
  • Only works that will not have been performed or read by a professional orchestra nor received a public performance in the New York metropolitan area prior to the reading date are eligible.
  • Each composer may submit only one composition for consideration.
  • Only works completed after January 1, 2011, will be considered.
  • Compositions must be no more than 10 minutes in length. A portion or movement from a longer work is also eligible
  • Emerging American composers who have applied previously for an EarShot or Under Construction Reading are eligible and must submit a new and complete application, including score and all required background information.
  • Instrumentation should not exceed the BSO’s standard symphonic complement: 2 flutes; 2 oboes; 2 clarinets; 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones (one tenor, one bass), timpani + 1 percussion, piano, and strings: 8, 6, 5, 4, 2. (The following woodwind doubles are permitted: piccolo, English horn, and bass clarinet.) Works with instrumentation that exceed the above limitation will be considered only with advance approval.
  • Compositions may not include soloists, electronics, MIDI, digital technology, and/or sound reinforcement.
  • Do not submit recordings.
  • The quality of the score submitted is the primary evaluation criterion. It is therefore in the applicant’s best interest that the score be clear, accurate, and the best representation of the composer’s work. The additional background and educational information is for eligibility and documentation purposes; these materials are not considered in the general review of scores.
  • Incomplete, illegible, or late applications will not be considered.

If Selected

  • Composers will be notified by January 23, 2015.
  • Composers must attend reading sessions, feedback meetings and professional development workshops in Berkeley, CA on May 2-4, 2015.
  • Composers must provide professional, legible orchestral parts and scores prepared according to guidelines established by the Major Orchestral Librarians Association. Materials for the first reading session must be delivered no later than 5:00 PM, March 3, 2015.
  • Composers agree to: submit photos and sound clips for web use and a short biography for media purposes; to participate in blogging and social media to be videotaped/recorded for archival and promotional purposes; and to have their music recorded for archival and study purposes.

How to Apply

Before submitting an application, carefully review the eligibility & submission guidelines above. A complete submission must include the following:

  • A completed online submission form. If you wish to submit hard copies for consideration, please call 212-977-8495 ext. 201 to obtain the application form and instructions.
  • You will be asked to upload the following information here:
  • A pdf of the score clearly labeled with the composer’s name and title of the work on the cover page.
  • A current resume including educational background, major teachers, awards, and professional affiliations.
  • A list of works, including title, year composed, instrumentation, duration, and performance history.
  • One letter of recommendation from an established composer or other music professional, attesting to the applicant’s accomplishments and potential as an orchestral composer. The recommendation must be on letterhead and must include a signature. Recommendations may be scanned and uploaded, or mailed under separate cover to EarShot – Attn: Berkeley Symphony, Under Construction, American Composers Orchestra, 244 West 54th Street, Suite 805, New York, NY 10019-5515.
  • There is no application fee.
  • The application process must be completed by 5:00 pm, December 19, 2014. Late submissions will not be considered.

For questions or further information:
call: 212-977-8495 ext. 202
email: submissions@earshotnetwork.org