EarShot is a program of the American Composers Orchestra, in partnership with the League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA. Serving over 350 composers since inception, EarShot had its beginnings in NYC with its own Readings in 1988 (carrying the name Whitaker and then Underwood) and expanded in 2008 to national Readings offered in partnership with orchestras across the country. In 2016, ACO launched a composer archive of past EarShot compositions as a resource to the field. Orchestras across the country and around the world rely on EarShot to identify and connect with creative artists, as well as to advise on commissions, competitions, and program design.
The American Composers Orchestra, as well as ACO’s partner orchestras, offer selected participants the opportunity to collaborate with mentors consisting of both established orchestral composers and industry leaders through the EarShot Readings program. ACO and its partner orchestras aim to align these readings with their existing programmatic, community engagement, and DEI goals and initiatives; specific eligibility parameters (outside of the requirement of being a composer with fewer than 3 professional performances) are created by the host orchestras in collaboration with ACO.
There is no application fee for EarShot Readings. Additionally, travel (up to $700) and local accommodations are provided for the selected composers. Those selected also receive recordings of their works for personal and/or professional use.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra is seeking composers with works for orchestra (1111/2110/timp+1/harp/strings[43321]) to be rehearsed, performed, and recorded in the Chicago metro area on April 15-16, 2024, offering selected participants the opportunity to collaborate with mentors consisting of both established orchestral composers and industry leaders. This call for scores is a part of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s ongoing work to connect programming with local stories and perspectives; composers with works that offer a thematic/programmatic connection to Chicago or the surrounding areas are especially encouraged to apply.
Click here to learn more about the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.
ROCO is seeking artists/composers with works for chamber orchestra (2222/2210/timp+1/strings[66442]) to be rehearsed, performed, and recorded in Houston, TX on June 5-6, 2024, offering selected participants the opportunity to collaborate with mentors consisting of both established orchestral composers and industry leaders. Among those selected, one composer’s work will be featured on ROCO’s June 7th concert, as part of the 2024 League of American Orchestras Conference. This call for scores is a part of ROCO’s continued efforts to address and engage gender parity in the field of orchestral music; exciting and energetic concert opener works/overtures by women composers are eligible for this call.
TAKE OUR QUIZ TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR EARSHOT
Before submitting an application, carefully review the eligibility and submission guidelines for each call. A complete submission must include the following:
EarShot Readings: Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra
EarShot Readings: ROCO
Application Receipt Deadline: Friday, June 30, 2023
Selected Composer/Artist Notification: Friday, August 11, 2023
Scores are reviewed by a panel of composers representing various backgrounds, demographics, and musical styles. Panelists rate the scores numerically on criteria including originality, technical proficiency, and orchestration. Selected scores will advance to a second round of panelists comprised of ACO artistic staff, who will in turn select a group of finalists. From these finalists, participants for each opportunity will be selected by the artistic staff of the host orchestra.
Review panelists from the past four years include Shawn Okpebholo, Michi Wiancko, Kathryn Alexander, David Biedenbender, Lisa Bielawa, Chen Yi, Anthony Cheung, Rob Deemer, Man Fang, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jimmy López Bellido, Eric Nathan, Clint Needham, Gabriela Ortiz, Elizabeth Ogonek, Kate Soper, Ken Ueno, Dan Visconti, Wang Jie, Wang Lu, Xi Wang, Trevor Weston, and Lidiya Yankovskaya.
For questions or comments on EarShot or the call for scores, please contact Garrett McQueen, Director of Artist Equity: garrett@americancomposers.org.
American Composers Orchestra (ACO) is dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. With commitment to diversity, disruption and discovery, ACO produces concerts, pre-college and college education programs, and emerging composer professional development to foster a community of creators, audience, performers, collaborators, and funders.
Get notified about new events, opportunities and the latest ACO happenings