Meet the Composer

Next deadline: TBA

Meet The Composer and the League of American Orchestras are thrilled to present four online video segments highlighting past Music Alive composer-orchestra residencies that were particularly deep and innovative, as well as an opportunity and challenge from Meet The Composer President, Ed Harsh. We urge you to view the videos and contact Meet The Composer to discuss your residency ideas today!

And be sure to explore the Music Alive: New Partnerships gallery…

Music Alive, run in conjunction with the League of American Orchestras, offers financial and administrative support for composer-in-residence positions with orchestral ensembles. Residencies may be structured around one or multiple composers. The residency duration may range from one to two years with a minimum on-site composer presence of three weeks per season as well as a minimum performance of one work (created within the last ten years) per season by each resident composer. Residencies must begin in the 2011-2012 season for two year residency proposals, but may begin in either the 2011-12 or 2012-13 season for one year residency proposals. Residencies may be organized in one continuous stay or in periodic visits over time.

MTC and the League are interested in making significant awards (relative to each orchestra’s overall budget and programming size) for significant activity that is particularly deep, meaningful, and innovative and which demonstrates learning and leadership for the field. We anticipate awarding 4 to 8 residencies with most awards in the $50,000 - $100,000 range.

Support from Music Alive shall be applied principally to composer fees (i.e. residency fees, commission fees, etc.). Additional supported expenses include other direct costs and an appropriate allocation for indirect costs related to the residency. The award will be distributed through a negotiated payment schedule based on the organization’s needs. In addition, MTC and the League will support residencies with technical assistance and professional development services including a mandatory workshop in New York City prior to the start of the residency.

Applications are submitted jointly by an organization and composer who wish to work together. To apply, organizations must be members in good standing with the League of American Orchestras and have completed and fully documented any previous projects supported through Music Alive or other Meet The Composer programs. Applicant composers must be based in the U.S. (either as citizens or permanent residents), must not be enrolled in a degree-granting program (i.e. no students) and likewise must have completed and fully documented any previous projects supported through Music Alive or other Meet The Composer programs. Organizations and composers may appear on no more than one application per deadline. Applications from a consortium of organizations are acceptable.

For more information contact:
Scott Winship, Program Manager, extension 102 or swinship@meetthecomposer.org

• Download the guidelines (pdf, for reference only)

Music Alive is made possible with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and The ASCAP Foundation.