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.
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
About the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
For over 100 years, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra has been a part of the fabric of our community. Today, we seek to expand our reach and learn from our community so that we can be equitable and inclusive of all people. We are committed to the promises made in our strategic plan and to our mission of serving this community through outstanding musical listening and learning experiences. Under the leadership of President & CEO Jessica Mallow Gulley and Music Director Julian Kuerti, the Kalamazoo Symphony, through the unwavering support of the Kalamazoo community, is an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the region. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is the state's third-largest orchestra, with more than 80 contracted musicians, 20 professional staff, and 20 teaching artists employed full or part time. The KSO provides more than 40 concert performances each year, reaching more than 57,000 music lovers. The KSO performs high-quality symphonic music, fosters audiences of tomorrow, and elevates the careers of local musicians.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is committed to being an anti-racist organization. Together we foster an inclusive environment, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds and actively involving and amplifying historically underrepresented voices. Our vision is an orchestra that is a dynamic, inclusive, unique, and essential cultural resource, continually informed by the evolving needs and interests of our community. We are committed to collective involvement and shared accountability among our board, musicians, and staff to achieve this vision.
KSO Artists In Residence
In 1995, as part of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s 75th-anniversary celebration, a commitment was made to develop a core of full-time artist-in-residence positions that would enable the orchestra to create community service and education programs and strengthen the orchestra ensemble. To this end, the Artist in Residence (AIR) program was begun with the KSO’s Burdick-Thorne String Quartet. Since that time, the AIR program has grown to eight positions, including oboe, clarinet, trombone, and timpani. As a result, the artistic level of the orchestra has increased, and the KSO’s education and community programs have expanded to reach over 45,000 people and more than 190 schools in eight counties throughout Southwest Michigan. Over the past five years, the KSO has invested in a collection of arranged and newly composed music for this unique combination of instruments. The AIRs perform as a ‘salon orchestra’ in small and unique venues, including a local brewery (our Craft Music series), churches, libraries, and other creative spaces.
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is seeking composers to commission new 5- to 7-minute works for their Artists in Residence chamber ensemble (string quartet + clarinet + oboe + trombone + timpani, with minor percussion accessories). Presented as part of ACO’s EarShot program, the KSO is offering selected participants the opportunity to have their compositions read, workshopped, and recorded in Kalamazoo, MI on October 7-9, 2025. Works will be performed by the KSO’s Artist in Residence ensemble over the course of future seasons.
This call for scores is a part of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s ongoing work to connect programming with local stories and perspectives. One or more of the commissioned works may be programmed within the context of an existing KSO community program or partnership. Examples include:
- Bayati Ensemble: a Middle Eastern musical ensemble that includes college, avocational, and professional musicians. This also connects with KSO’s Orchestra Rouh youth program. KSO AIRs will join Bayati Ensemble for a joint performance in January 2026
- Symphonic Beats: a community-driven collaboration guided by and featuring a lineup of Kalamazoo Hip Hop artists. The second annual Symphonic Beats is planned for May 2026
- Improv Symphony: a program featuring a comedy improv team interacting with the KSO AIR ensemble
- Special projects relating to notable figures or untold stories in Kalamazoo local and musical history, such as the Phillips Brothers Orchestra, the life of Merze Tate, The Velvelettes, Abbey Lincoln, or others.
There is no application fee for this opportunity. Travel and local accommodations will be provided for on-the-ground activities. Selected participants will receive recordings of their commissioned works and a commission fee of $6,500.
For over 100 years, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra has been a part of the fabric of our community. Today, we seek to expand our reach and learn from our community so that we can be equitable and inclusive of all people. We are committed to the promises made in our strategic plan and to our mission of serving this community through outstanding musical listening and learning experiences. Under the leadership of President & CEO Jessica Mallow Gulley and Music Director Julian Kuerti, the Kalamazoo Symphony, through the unwavering support of the Kalamazoo community, is an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the region. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is the state's third-largest orchestra, with more than 80 contracted musicians, 20 professional staff, and 20 teaching artists employed full or part time. The KSO provides more than 40 concert performances each year, reaching more than 57,000 music lovers. The KSO performs high-quality symphonic music, fosters audiences of tomorrow, and elevates the careers of local musicians.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is committed to being an anti-racist organization. Together we foster an inclusive environment, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds and actively involving and amplifying historically underrepresented voices. Our vision is an orchestra that is a dynamic, inclusive, unique, and essential cultural resource, continually informed by the evolving needs and interests of our community. We are committed to collective involvement and shared accountability among our board, musicians, and staff to achieve this vision.
KSO Artists In Residence
In 1995, as part of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s 75th-anniversary celebration, a commitment was made to develop a core of full-time artist-in-residence positions that would enable the orchestra to create community service and education programs and strengthen the orchestra ensemble. To this end, the Artist in Residence (AIR) program was begun with the KSO’s Burdick-Thorne String Quartet. Since that time, the AIR program has grown to eight positions, including oboe, clarinet, trombone, and timpani. As a result, the artistic level of the orchestra has increased, and the KSO’s education and community programs have expanded to reach over 45,000 people and more than 190 schools in eight counties throughout Southwest Michigan. Over the past five years, the KSO has invested in a collection of arranged and newly composed music for this unique combination of instruments. The AIRs perform as a ‘salon orchestra’ in small and unique venues, including a local brewery (our Craft Music series), churches, libraries, and other creative spaces.
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is seeking composers to commission new 5- to 7-minute works for their Artists in Residence chamber ensemble (string quartet + clarinet + oboe + trombone + timpani, with minor percussion accessories). Presented as part of ACO’s EarShot program, the KSO is offering selected participants the opportunity to have their compositions read, workshopped, and recorded in Kalamazoo, MI on October 7-9, 2025. Works will be performed by the KSO’s Artist in Residence ensemble over the course of future seasons.
This call for scores is a part of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s ongoing work to connect programming with local stories and perspectives. One or more of the commissioned works may be programmed within the context of an existing KSO community program or partnership. Examples include:
- Bayati Ensemble: a Middle Eastern musical ensemble that includes college, avocational, and professional musicians. This also connects with KSO’s Orchestra Rouh youth program. KSO AIRs will join Bayati Ensemble for a joint performance in January 2026
- Symphonic Beats: a community-driven collaboration guided by and featuring a lineup of Kalamazoo Hip Hop artists. The second annual Symphonic Beats is planned for May 2026
- Improv Symphony: a program featuring a comedy improv team interacting with the KSO AIR ensemble
- Special projects relating to notable figures or untold stories in Kalamazoo local and musical history, such as the Phillips Brothers Orchestra, the life of Merze Tate, The Velvelettes, Abbey Lincoln, or others.
There is no application fee for this opportunity. Travel and local accommodations will be provided for on-the-ground activities. Selected participants will receive recordings of their commissioned works and a commission fee of $6,500.
Eligibility
Below are the eligibility requirements for artists to be considered for this opportunity.
- This opportunity is for composers who have had 2 or fewer pieces performed by a professional orchestra (30+ players). College and/or festival orchestra performances, as well as performances that have taken place in conjunction with any composer advancement initiative or program do not count toward the number of pieces “performed by a professional orchestra.”
- Applicants are accepted from the Western Hemisphere: U.S. Applicants must be either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or enrolled student in the United States with a valid student visa. Mexican, Canadian, Caribbean, Central American, and South American applicants must be a citizen of their respective country or an enrolled student in that country with a valid visa.
- There are no age restrictions; applicants should be composers/artists at the early stages of their professional orchestral careers.
- Composers selected to participate in any previous EarShot Reading, including ACO's Whitaker and Underwood Readings held in NYC, are eligible if all other eligibility criteria are met.
Application Requirements
Before submitting an application, carefully review the eligibility and submission guidelines. A complete submission must include the following:
- Completed online submission form.
- PDF of a full orchestral score (15 minutes or less) demonstrating compositional experience, style, and aesthetic, clearly labeled with the composer’s name and title of the work on the cover page.
- Recording (or digital mockup) of the submitted sample score (15 minutes or less).
Upcoming Deadlines:
Applications Open: March 21, 2025
Application Receipt Deadline: May 4, 2025
Selected Composer Notification: June 9, 2025
Selected Composer Commission Due Date: August 1, 2025
Applications Open: March 21, 2025
Application Receipt Deadline: May 4, 2025
Selected Composer Notification: June 9, 2025
Selected Composer Commission Due Date: August 1, 2025
If Selected
- Composers must be available on October 7-9, 2025 for all program activities, including workshops, rehearsals, readings, and community engagement activities. Composers are encouraged to attend all virtual professional development sessions leading up to these events.
- Composers must provide professional, legible parts and scores of the commissioned works prepared according to guidelines established by the Major Orchestra Librarians Association.
- Composers must submit self-portraits/headshots and a short biography for media purposes.
- Composers must agree to be videotaped/audio recorded for archival and promotional purposes, and to have their music recorded for archival and study purposes.
About Our Review & Selection Process
Sample orchestral scores will be reviewed by composers representing various backgrounds, demographics, and musical styles. Panelists rate the sample scores numerically on criteria including originality, technical proficiency, and orchestration. Selected scores will advance to a second round of panelists composed of ACO artistic staff, who will in turn select a group of finalists. From these finalists, participants will be selected by the Kalamazoo Symphony 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, Bright Sheng, 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.
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, Bright Sheng, 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.
Questions & Information
For questions on this call, please contact Loki Karuna, Director of Artist Equity: loki@americancomposers.org.