Become a colaboratory Partner
Overview and Partnership Benefits
EarShot CoLABoratory Residencies advance the work of composers whose work is experimental and/or rooted in musical traditions underrepresented in the orchestral repertoire. Over the course of a year, CoLABoratory provides a generative environment for composers from any and all musical backgrounds to create definition-expanding works for orchestra. Instead of a call for scores, this is a call for ideas to be developed in partnership with the orchestra through an artist-led process.
EarShot is a program of the American Composers Orchestra, in partnership with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA.
CoLABoratory creates opportunities for partner orchestras to:
- Discover Adventurous Artists – ACO’s broad and inclusive recruitment efforts identify and curate creative artists aligned with each orchestra’s programming goals and priorities
- Develop New Audiences – ACO staff work hand-in-hand with partner orchestras to design educational programming and community-focused events as an extension of CoLABoratory programming
- Engage Your Donors – CoLABoratory creates new opportunities for philanthropic support, including readings, commissions, residency activities, educational programs, and cultivation events
- Extend Your Reach – At a fraction of the cost of building an in-house recruitment and readings program, ACO has a proven track record of identifying composers whose work expands the definition of American orchestral music
Highlights
During the 2023–24 season, seven new works for orchestra have been workshopped by ACO and CoLABoratory partners the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Composers and works include:
- Guillermo Klein, The Kingdom
- John Glover & Kelley Rourke, Right Now
- Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Bass Concerto: Nightlife
- Michael Begay, Diné Thought/Life Process
- Kite, Wičhíŋčala Šakówiŋ
- Laura Ortman, Unsurrenderable Glisten of the Ices
- Raven Chacon, Title TBA
Program Components
- National call for proposals, identifying artists whose work is aligned with the goals of the orchestra and initiative
- Intake meetings between composer and ACO staff to shape the development process and identify needed external collaborators to complete the project
- Orientation between composer, ACO staff, partner orchestra staff, and any external collaborators to kick off the process and identify opportunities for public engagement
- 2-3 generative workshops with ensembles of increasing size (chamber to full orchestra), each preceded by prep meetings with ACO artistic staff
- Rehearsal period (2-3 rehearsals) and performance of work
- As appropriate, inclusion of the work in ACO’s EarShot Publishing initiative, driving repeat performances with other orchestras
- ACO-led preparation of scores, in partnership with copyists and partner orchestra librarians
- 2-3 reading services with orchestra, composers, and established mentor composers
- Opportunities for feedback from orchestra musicians, librarian, and conductor, leading to score revisions
- Relationship building and professional development opportunities
- Composer-led activities in community spaces and educational settings
- A pipeline to extended commissioning opportunities via ACO and the League of American Orchestras
ACO Provides:
- Travel to EarShot partner orchestra city/venue, lodging, and ground transit
- Facilitation and review of CoLABoratory applications
- Collection and review of all orchestral materials for selected works to ensure scores and parts are of a professional quality
- Professional development workshops with mentors and industry leaders for participating composers
- Communication with CoLBoratory partners including the American Composers Orchestra, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA
- Materials in support of publicity, promotions, and program for the event
- A detailed production schedule and optimal timeline
- 1–2 staff members to facilitate readings and feedback sessions
- Collaboration with orchestra staff in engaging donors and planning events for supporters and community partners
- Support for building consortia for CoLABoratory-developed compositions
Partner Orchestras Provide:
- Two or more orchestral services for workshops plus premiere rehearsal/performance cycle
- Engagement with staff, conductor, and other internal stakeholders to facilitate planning for project events
- Venue for workshops, rehearsal, and performances
- Catering for working meals while in session during the residency period
- At least one quality recording of each participant’s workshopped composition
- Library support for preparation and dissemination of parts and scores and return of performance materials to each featured artist
- Pre-/post-event feedback sessions with conductor and musician liaisons
Recent CoLABoratory Artists
- inti figgis-vizueta
- Marcus Gilmore
- Yvette Janine Jackson
- Trevor New
- Mendi + Keith Obadike
2023–24 & Beyond
- Edmar Castañeda
- Raven Chacon
- Kebra-Seyoun Charles
- John Glover & Kelley Rourke
- Kite
- Guillermo Klein
- Laura Ortman
- Joseph C. Phillips Jr.
Partner Orchestras
Recent partners include:
- South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
- Tucson Symphony Orchestra
- Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Questions & Information
For questions or comments CoLABoratory, please contact Loki Karuna, Director of Artist Equity: loki@americancomposers.org.