Ball State Symphony Band Call for Commission Proposals
Ball State University is accepting proposals for a commission by the Ball State Symphony Band for a concert featuring composers who are female. One composer will be commissioned to compose a new work for the Ball State University Symphony Band. The Ball State Symphony Band will give the world premiere of the piece by the selected composer in the Fall 2019 semester, during a residency of the selected composer.
Commission proposals are being accepted through August 30, 2018. The selected composer will receive a $4,750 commissioning fee to create a work for the Ball State Symphony Band and $1,000 travel stipend to attend the dress rehearsal and premier performance in Fall 2019. The selected composer will be notified of the commission by September 30, 2018 and will have until June 30, 2019 to deliver score and parts of the commissioned work to Ball State. The selected composer is expected to consult with the conductor and the Symphony Band during the rehearsal process via written comments and video conference sessions.
Deadline
August 30, 2018 by 12:00 AM (midnight) U.S. Eastern Standard Time
All proposals received before the date above will be considered. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.
Requirements for Entry
- Applicants must be female or female-identifying
- Applicants cannot be employed by Ball State University
- No entry fee
Entry Process
Please submit all files below to Caroline Hand with the subject line “Ball State Commission Proposal”
1. PDF document titled "(Composer’s Last Name Here) Information Sheet” including the following information:
- Section 1
- Composer’s name
- Composer’s email address
- Composer’s phone number
- Composer’s website: link to works list (or list of works sorted by ensemble type if website is unavailable)
- Section 2
- Title of 2 works submitted (see #2 below), under each title include:
- Instrumentation (at least one work must be for 8 or more instruments)
- Duration
- Program Note
- Name of performers/ensemble on recording
- Section 3
- Proposal for new composition for the Ball State Symphony Band (see instrumentation list below)
- Section 4
- Brief Resume including commissions, prizes, and awards for previous compositions
2. PDF of two scores representing the composer’s highest level of writing (these can be of any duration for any ensemble or instrumentation); at least one score must be written for 8 or more instruments
3. A recording of each score submitted (live performances preferred; studio and MIDI performances accepted) clearly labeled with your last name followed by the title of the piece in .mp3, .wav, or .aif format.
Additional Details
- Entries will be judged in two rounds: first by Ball State faculty and in a final round by a committee of composers and conductors; applicants’ names will not accompany the final round
- The final committee will choose one applicant to compose a new work for the Ball State Symphony Band
- Notification by September 20, 2018 via email
- The duration of the new work must be 7-12 minutes
- The new work (score and parts) must be submitted by June 30, 2019
- The commission fee is $4,750
- The new work will be performed by the Ball State Symphony Band during the Fall 2019 semester, during a residency by the composer
- The composer will receive a stipend of $1,000 for travel, lodging, meal, and all other expenses related to the residency
- The composer will receive a professional quality audio recording of the performance
- Composers will retain copyright and all rights to publication of the music. Ball State will retain premiere performance rights.
- Questions may be directed to Caroline Hand, concert organizer and Associate Director of Bands
Instrumentation List
Ball State Symphony Band (Proposals may use any combination of the following instruments):
Piccolo
Flute (up to 3 parts)
Oboe (up to 2 parts)
English Horn
Bassoon (up to 2 parts)
Contrabassoon
Bb Clarinet (up to 4 parts)
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone (up to 2 parts)
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Soprano Saxophone (optional in place of an alto saxophone)
Horn (up to 4 parts)
Trumpet (up to 4 parts)
Trombone (up to 3 parts)
Bass Trombone (optional in place of trombone 3)
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion (up to 6 players)
Piano (optional)
Harp (optional)