Classical Commissioning Program 2016

1. 2016 Classical Commissioning Program Application Deadline: April 1, 2016 Notification: June 2016 This program is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and the Chamber Music America Endowment Fund.

2. Program Support The Classical Commissioning Program provides support to U.S. based professional classical, contemporary and world music ensembles and presenters for the creation and performance of new chamber works by American composers.

3. What’s New? • CMA is accepting online applications using the Submittable platform. • All work samples and supplementary materials must be uploaded to the online system. • Attachments are titled using the CMA naming convention and uploaded in acceptable file formats as part of the application.

4. What’s New? • If the ensemble is of fixed instrumentation and personnel (such as a string quartet) and has had a personnel change, the Ensemble Audio files must feature a majority (greater than 50 percent) of the current members. • If awarded a grant, the recipient must provide proof that it is U.S.-based and verify the composer’s U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status.

5. Applicant Eligibility • Must be based in the U.S. or its territories • Must be a professional ensemble (amateur groups are not eligible) • Or, must be a non-profit presenting organization, partnering with an professional ensemble

6. All applicants must • Demonstrate a commitment to contemporary classical or world music • Be a CMA Organization-level member • Have no overdue reports or financial obligations to CMA • Wait 12 months after completing any previous CMA commissioning project before re-applying

7. Ensemble eligibility • May consist of "fixed" personnel and instrumentation • May be part of a flexible roster or a collective that performs in varying configurations of no more than 10 • If a duo, must perform as equal partners, rather than as soloist and accompanist, and consistently publicizes itself as a duo

8. Additional eligibility • An ensemble may appear on one application. • A presenter may submit only one application; however its venue may be a performance site for any number of proposals.

9. The Composer • must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • may be a member of the applicant’s ensemble • may not appear on more than one application to a CMA commissioning program—including New Jazz Works—for the period beginning July 1, 2016 • may not have outstanding commitments to either CMA commissioning program

10. Grant funds are designated for • Composer commissioning fees: ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, depending upon instrumentation and length of the work • Ensemble honoraria: $1,000 per musician • Copying reimbursement: Up to $1,000

11. The New Work • must be written for a small ensemble, 2 to 10 musicians, one musician per part • must be in the form of a notated score • may represent a diverse musical spectrum, including contemporary art music, world music, and electronics

12. The commission may not • be a previously written piece or work in progress • be an arrangement of previously written works • be music for dramatic works (staged or unstaged), chamber opera, or incidental music for other media • include fees for non-musician participants

13. Completing an application • Create a free Submittable account or log-in to your existing Submittable account • Type directly into the online form or draft in an offline document and copy your responses into the online application • Click SAVE DRAFT on bottom of application • Submittable maintains your draft for 21 days

14. Completing an application • Prepare your attachments and title each file using CMA’s naming convention, e.g., Applicant Name – Ensemble Audio Summary • Upload all required files • When application is complete, click SUBMIT • CMA will confirm receipt via email

15. Audio Samples • Most important component of the application • Should demonstrate the highest quality of the ensemble’s playing and ability to perform contemporary music, and the composer’s ability to write a compelling new work • Audio Summaries are required for each sample

16. Ensemble: Two Audio Files • Up to 5 minutes in length • Contrasting works recommended • At least one work written in the last 25 years • At least one unedited track from a live concert performance; remaining file may be re-recorded from a commercially released or studio recording

17. Composer: Two Audio Files • Up to 5 minutes in length • Contrasting works of chamber music recommended • At least one work written in the last 25 years

18. Guest Artist: One Audio File Each • One work sample per each guest artist • May be re-recorded tracks from a commercially released studio recording.

19. The Written Application • Provide the history of the applicant (either ensemble or presenting organization) and its commitment to new music. • If a presenter applicant, provide information about the ensemble.

20. The Written Application • Explain why you want to commission the particular composer • Provide background about the composer • Include a description of the new work • Explain the importance of this commission

21. Panel Process

22. Round One: Ensemble Audio Review • “Blind review” (ensemble is not identified to the panel) • Two minutes each of the submitted files • Group’s artistry, cohesiveness, sound, and ability to perform contemporary music • Approximately 30-35 applicants with high scores are advanced for the Composer Audio Review

23. Round Two: Composer’s Audio Review • Also “blind review” (composer’s identity is not revealed to the panel) • Two minutes each of the submitted files • Originality and ability to write a compelling new work.

24. Round Three: Application Review • About 20 to 25 top-scoring applicants from the Ensemble and Composer Audio Sample Review rounds advance to the Application Review. • The identities of the applicants are revealed to the panel

25. Round Three: Application Review • Quality of the project—idea for commission and reason for selecting the composer • Composer’s ability to write the new work for the ensemble • Listening to ensemble, composer, plus the guest artist(s) • Capacity to carry out the project successfully

26. A Complete Application Includes • Audio Samples for Ensemble, Composer and Guest Artist(s) (if applicable) • Audio Summaries for each work sample • Memorandums of Understanding • Composer résumé or bio • Bio for each guest artist, if applicable • Completed written application

27. Recent Commissioning Grant Recipients • Americas Society/ICE– Divertimento for 8: Ambiguous Symmetries by Mario Davidovsky • PRISM Quartet– Cha by Julia Wolfe • Fifth House Ensemble– Soundings by Dan Visconti • The City of Tomorrow– Leander and Hero by Hannah Lash

28. For More Information • FAQs • Guidelines • Contact Susan Dadian, program director, CMA Classical/Contemporary (212) 242-2022, ext. 102 For membership information, contact Aryo Wicaksono, CMA Membership Manager (212) 242-2022, ext. 114 Visit www.chamber-music.org