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EarShot – Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Composer Competition
in collaboration with the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival
September 22-24, 2016, Indianapolis, IN
Application deadline: THIS DEADLINE HAS PASSED
The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO), Matthew Kraemer, Music Director, and EarShot, the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network, announce the EarShot – Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Composer Competition to be held on September 22 – 24, 2016 at the Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Competition will provide up to five emerging composers the opportunity to work closely with the ICO to have their music workshopped, rehearsed and read, under the guidance of maestro Matthew Kraemer. The experience will include feedback from principal ICO musicians, and mentor composers Melinda Wagner, Michael Schelle, Robert Beaser. Participants will be selected on a competitive basis from a nationwide call for scores.
An intensive reading session and working rehearsal will take place on September 22nd, accompanied by feedback sessions with ICO musicians, mentor composers, and the conductor. ICO will perform a public run-through performance on the evening of September 23rd. A final feedback session will be held the following day with the mentor composers. Career development workshops will also be offered.
Following the competition proceedings, one winning composer and work will be selected to be performed by the ICO as part of the Indiana State University’s 50th Anniversary Contemporary Music Festival on Thursday, October 27, 2016 in Terre Haute, IN.
Composers selected are responsible for delivering professional-quality score and parts. Composers will receive a recording of their work for archival and study purposes. Travel and accommodations will be provided.
Applicants must review the submission guidelines, then submit an electronic submission form, upload a PDF of the orchestral score, a resume, works list, and letter of recommendation.
Applications must be received by Friday, June 17, 2016 at 5pm eastern time. Incomplete, illegible, or late applications will not be considered.
About Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra & Matthew Kraemer
The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO) debuted in 1984. Kirk Trevor served as Music Director and Conductor for 27 years. The 2015-2016 season marks an important transition in artistic leadership, as the ICO welcomes Matthew Kraemer to the podium for his first season as Music Director and Conductor.
Comprised of 34 professional musicians, the ICO presents an annual subscription concert series, drawing on a body of musical literature spanning four centuries. Concerts feature internationally recognized concert artists as well as superior local talent, present aspiring young soloists, and showcase the talents of contemporary composers. The ICO has commissioned several new works and has performed a number of world and American premieres. In May 2015, the ICO released its first commercial CD, entitled Momentum 21, with contemporary music composed by James Aikman (who currently serves as composer-in-residence), Derek Bermel, Michael-Thomas Foumai, and Christopher Theofanidis. The ICO offers a full range of educational programs for ages pre-kindergarten through adult. The ICO also accompanies many local arts and educational organizations including the Indianapolis Opera, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and American Pianists Association. The ICO also serves as orchestra-in-residence for the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival.
Matthew Kraemer recently completed a highly successful, five-year tenure as associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic, where he regularly led the orchestra on each of its concert series. A passionate advocate for new music, he has performed the works of many living composers during his career. He has led composer readings and workshops with several orchestras in the United States, in addition to leading the BPO’s Earshot partnership with the American Composers Orchestra in Buffalo for three consecutive seasons. Increasingly recognized for his committed advocacy of music education and his devotion to young audiences, he has created numerous arts education programs and has taught at several music festivals both in the United States and abroad.
About Earshot
EarShot is a program of the American Composers Orchestra in collaboration with the American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. EarShot helps orchestras around the country to identify and support promising composers in the early stages of their careers. EarShot advises organizations on the programs that would best suit their new-composer needs — from new-music readings to composer residencies and competitions — and assists with planning, identifying composers through its extensive nationwide calls, and program design and execution.
EarShot is made possible with the support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and Fromm Music Foundation, and with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the League of American Orchestras with the support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.