The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is thrilled to announce the first-ever Call for Scores for our annual holiday concert, “Celebrate the Season”. The BSO is seeking works relating to the theme of “Holidays.” One selected work will be performed and recorded on November 29, 2024 in Bloomington, IN with a possible second performance December 3 in Spencer, IN. The selected composer will receive an honorarium of $250, and a recording of the performance. Submissions will be reviewed by a committee consisting of the music director, executive director, musicians of the orchestra, and orchestra manager.
About the BSO:
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is based in Bloomington, Indiana and is an auditioned volunteer community orchestra in its 55th season providing musical enrichment to both the community and its members. The orchestra typically performs 3 classical concerts, 1 holiday program (with three performances), 1 summer program, and 2 chamber concerts, in addition to running programs to provide instruments to local students, side-by-side with local students, meet-the-instrument events, and a youth concerto competition.
Theme:
In conjunction with the aim of the concert to celebrate the holiday season, the work should have some references to traditional holidays from the composer’s own culture or the holiday season in general. The piece does not have to be an arrangement of traditional holiday tunes, but it should be inspired by the composer’s own experiences with the holidays.
Eligibility:
- Open to all nationalities and ages
- The work can either be a premiere or have been previously performed
- Duration: 4 to 10 minutes
- Instrumentation: no larger than 2.2.2.2, 4.2.3.1, timp., 3 perc., harp, piano, and strings
- Submitted works may not be under an exclusive performance contract with any performer or ensemble.
- No prepared piano
- Electronics: only fixed media (stereo setup) available
- Works that utilize the full instrumentation will be preferred
- If the work includes quotations or arrangements of existing songs or tunes that are protected by copyright, it is the composer’s responsibility to clear any rights and ensure the work is eligible to be performed in the U.S.
- Please note that the practicality and accessibility of the work is part of the committee’s consideration. The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra consists of community members who volunteer their time to play in the orchestra. We will have 4 rehearsals (around 10-15 minutes of rehearsal time for each piece) for this performance. (for the reference of the level of the BSO, we performed Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique in 8 rehearsals in the last season)
- It is preferable that the selected composer attends the performance, although it is not required. The BSO will arrange the accommodation in Bloomington for the duration of the performance date, November 29, 2024, but the composer will be responsible for their own travel. The BSO can provide a formal letter of invitation for anyone who requires a visa to enter the US.
Submission requirements:
- No application fee
- Score (pdf) and recording (mp3) of the work (MIDI realizations are acceptable)
- Biography (200 words max)
- A brief statement on the work and how it relates to the theme (200 words max)
- The selected composer(s) will need to provide all parts (pdf), program notes, and a headshot for publicity purposes
Submissions are due on October 15, 2024, 11:59pm (EST).
Apply HERE