Apply to ACO EarShot
EarShot
EarShot is the nation’s first ongoing, systematic program for cultivating relationships between orchestras and composers across the Americas. In addition to its annual readings with the NYC-based American Composers Orchestra, EarShot works with a national network of orchestral partners each season to discover and develop composers whose work expands the definition of orchestral music in the Americas.
EarShot is a program of the American Composers Orchestra, in partnership with the League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA. Over the past 10 years the program has initiated dozens of composer/orchestra/conductor relationships across the country offering opportunities to more than 100 composers. 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. For over a generation, EarShot Readings (est. 2008) as well as ACO’s New Music Readings (“Whitaker” from 1993-2009, “Underwood” from 2009-2020, “EarShot in NYC” from 2022 onwards), have provided all-important career development and public exposure to the country’s most promising composers, with nearly 400 composers participating.
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.
For more information on EarShot Readings and ACO’s other Composer Advancement programs, click here.
EarShot is a program of the American Composers Orchestra, in partnership with the League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA. Over the past 10 years the program has initiated dozens of composer/orchestra/conductor relationships across the country offering opportunities to more than 100 composers. 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. For over a generation, EarShot Readings (est. 2008) as well as ACO’s New Music Readings (“Whitaker” from 1993-2009, “Underwood” from 2009-2020, “EarShot in NYC” from 2022 onwards), have provided all-important career development and public exposure to the country’s most promising composers, with nearly 400 composers participating.
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.
For more information on EarShot Readings and ACO’s other Composer Advancement programs, click here.
Edward T. Cone Composition Institute
The New Jersey Symphony, in partnership with EarShot, a program of the American Composers Orchestra, is accepting applications for the 2025 Edward T. Cone Composition Institute.
The New Jersey Symphony is now accepting applications for the eleventh annual Edward T. Cone Composition Institute. This multifaceted, tuition-free Institute is an opportunity designed to promote contemporary orchestral music by enhancing the careers of four emerging composers. Winning composers will have their music performed by the New Jersey Symphony and will participate in in-depth career development sessions with industry leaders.
Celebrated composer Steven Mackey, a music professor and director of graduate studies in composition at Princeton University, is the institute director. Christopher Rountree, a highly-regarded conductor and composer who is deeply embedded in new music scene, returns as the Institute’s guest conductor.
The Institute is open to university composition students and composers in the early stages of their professional careers. Composers selected for this tuition-free program will participate in a week of the following activities:
-Rehearsals and premiere performance of their work by the New Jersey Symphony in a public concert
-One-on-one and group coaching sessions with Institute Director Steven Mackey and conductor Christopher Rountree
-Career-development sessions on public speaking, music editing and networking skills
-Feedback sessions with music industry leaders, New Jersey Symphony musicians and staff
-Discussions of best practices for getting contemporary classical music funded, published and performed
The 2025 Cone Institute will take place July 14-19, 2025 in Princeton, culminating in a public performance at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, NJ on Saturday, July 19 at 8 pm. The performance will be conducted by Christopher Rountree. The Institute is presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Music Department.
Composers will receive housing and meals in Princeton. The New Jersey Symphony will also reimburse up to $250 of participants’ travel costs. The application deadline is Sunday, February 16, 2025.
The New Jersey Symphony is now accepting applications for the eleventh annual Edward T. Cone Composition Institute. This multifaceted, tuition-free Institute is an opportunity designed to promote contemporary orchestral music by enhancing the careers of four emerging composers. Winning composers will have their music performed by the New Jersey Symphony and will participate in in-depth career development sessions with industry leaders.
Celebrated composer Steven Mackey, a music professor and director of graduate studies in composition at Princeton University, is the institute director. Christopher Rountree, a highly-regarded conductor and composer who is deeply embedded in new music scene, returns as the Institute’s guest conductor.
The Institute is open to university composition students and composers in the early stages of their professional careers. Composers selected for this tuition-free program will participate in a week of the following activities:
-Rehearsals and premiere performance of their work by the New Jersey Symphony in a public concert
-One-on-one and group coaching sessions with Institute Director Steven Mackey and conductor Christopher Rountree
-Career-development sessions on public speaking, music editing and networking skills
-Feedback sessions with music industry leaders, New Jersey Symphony musicians and staff
-Discussions of best practices for getting contemporary classical music funded, published and performed
The 2025 Cone Institute will take place July 14-19, 2025 in Princeton, culminating in a public performance at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, NJ on Saturday, July 19 at 8 pm. The performance will be conducted by Christopher Rountree. The Institute is presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Music Department.
Composers will receive housing and meals in Princeton. The New Jersey Symphony will also reimburse up to $250 of participants’ travel costs. The application deadline is Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Composition Requirements
Applicants must submit an original composition that is no more than thirteen (13) minutes in duration. Eligible composition requirements include the following:
- Composition must be an orchestral work (no concerto soloists, vocalists or narrators) and instrumentation may not exceed the following: 3‐3‐3‐3 woodwinds (including standard doublings), 4‐3‐3‐1 brass, timpani, 3 percussion, harp, keyboard (piano or synthesizer) and strings (maximum: 12/10/8/6/4).
- Composition must have no prior professional performance or publication history. Compositions that have had university or conservatory performances, or readings by professional ensembles are eligible for submission.
- The submitted composition must have a title.
- All measures must be numbered in the score at the beginning of each line.
Application Requirements
To apply, composers must submit an application form by Sunday, February 16, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. The required application components include the following:-One-page resume
-Full original score in PDF form (Handwritten scores will not be accepted. Scores must adhere to Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association guidelines.)
-Program notes or a brief description of the composition
-Audio representation of the work, such as a MIDI mock-up or, if possible, a live orchestra reading
-One letter of recommendation (submitted by the recommender using this form)
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
-Full original score in PDF form (Handwritten scores will not be accepted. Scores must adhere to Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association guidelines.)
-Program notes or a brief description of the composition
-Audio representation of the work, such as a MIDI mock-up or, if possible, a live orchestra reading
-One letter of recommendation (submitted by the recommender using this form)
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Questions & Information
For questions or more information, please send an email to coneinstitute@njsymphony.org.
Note: In order to participate, applicants must have the appropriate US visa or residency status to be present at Princeton University during the Cone Composition Institute dates, and must be at least 18 years of age.