EarShot – China-Us Composers Project – Eligibility and Guidelines

China – U.S. Composers Project Emerging Composers Competition
May 31 – June 3, 2016
SUBMISSION DEADLINE HAS PASSED:
Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 11:59pm (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time)
Friday, April 1, 2016 at 11:59am (Beijing Time)

Eligibility & Guidelines

  • Applicant must be either a Chinese citizen (residing anywhere in the world), or a composer of Chinese-American descent, who is U.S. citizen or non-citizen lawfully and permanently residing, or studying full-time in the United States.
  • There are no age restrictions; however, applicants should be composers at the early stages of their professional careers.
  • Each composer may submit only one composition for consideration.
  • Only works that will not have been performed, read nor received a public performance by a professional orchestra prior to the reading date are eligible.
  • Do not submit recordings.
  • Only works completed after January 1, 2012, will be considered.
  • Compositions must be less than 15 minutes in length. A portion or movement from a longer work may also be considered. Instrumentation should not exceed the standard symphonic complement: winds at 3.3.3.3; brass at 4.3.3.1; harp, keyboard, timpani plus 4 percussion, and strings (12.10.8.6.4). Standard orchestral doublings are permitted (piccolo, alto flute, English horn, E-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabassoon).
  • The inclusion of the following Chinese instruments within the orchestra are also acceptable: Erhu, Zheng, bamboo flute, Pipa, Sheng, and Chinese percussion.
  • Works with instrumentation that exceed the above limitation will be considered only with advance approval.
  • Concerti or other works requiring a featured soloist throughout the piece will not be considered.
  • Works employing electronics, MIDI, digital technology, and/or sound reinforcement in combination with the above instrumental forces may be considered. An explanation for how technology is employed must accompany the submission.
  • 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.
  • Previous applicants to an ACO, EarShot or Beijing Modern Music Festival Reading program are eligible to apply but must submit a new and complete application, including score and all required background information.
  • Incomplete, illegible, or late applications will not be considered.

If Selected

  • Composers will be notified by April 12, 2016.
  • Composers must attend reading sessions and feedback meetings in Beijing, China. May 31 – June 3, 2016.
  • Composers must provide professional, legible orchestral parts and scores, at their own expense, prepared according to guidelines established by the Major Orchestral Librarians Association. Materials must be delivered no later than May 6, 2016.
  • 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:

  • You will be asked to upload the following information:
  • An orchestral score, in PDF format, clearly labeled with the composer’s name and title of the work on the cover page.
  • A current resume, in PDF format, including educational background, major teachers, awards, and professional affiliations.
  • A list of works, in PDF format, 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 in PDF format.
  • There is no application fee.
  • The application process must be completed by:
    Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 11:59pm (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time)
    Friday, April 1, 2016 at 11:59am (Beijing Time)
  • Late submissions will not be considered.