Call for Scores
The 2023 Call for Scores application is now closed.
Dear Composers:
Each season, fellows of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago curate and perform chamber music concerts at Symphony Center and throughout greater Chicago. This year, our focus is on music by living composers.
We therefore announce a call for scores and encourage all who are interested to apply. Composers who are invited and agree to participate in the project will have their selected pieces rehearsed, performed and video recorded by musicians of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago at Symphony Center in May 2023. We encourage submissions by composers and composer/performers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels from populations traditionally underrepresented in American orchestras — including, but not limited to, those who identify as Black, Latino or Indigenous.
With gratitude,
The Civic Fellows
Watch past performances by the Civic Fellows here.
DEADLINE: Apply by 11:59 pm CST on Friday, February 24, 2023
Submissions will be reviewed by the Civic Fellows, and selected pieces/composer collaborators will be announced in early March.
All selected composers are strongly encouraged to attend the dress rehearsal on Saturday, May 6 and the concert on Sunday, May 7. A videorecording session of the pieces will take place on Monday, May 8.
There is no fee to apply.
For more information, please contact Rachael Cohen.
How to Apply
Applicants must reside and be eligible to work in the United States.
Submit as application:
- PDF of a score for a completed piece that meets the criteria outlined below. Applicants are also encouraged but not required to submit a recording of their piece (attach an audio or video file or include a link).
- A PDF cover letter of 500 words or less that tells us about you, your work, why you are applying to the project and what you hope to gain from the collaboration.
Please do not submit more than one score for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Composition Eligibility
Eligible pieces are unconducted chamber music up to 20 minutes in length that pull from the following instrumentation in any combination:
1 Flute (doubling on Piccolo and/or Alto Flute)
1 Oboe (doubling on English Horn)*
1 Clarinet (doubling on E-flat and/or Bass Clarinet)
1 Bassoon (doubling on Contrabassoon)
1 Horn
1 Trumpet
1 Trombone*
1 Percussion
Electronics
Piano
Violins*
Violas*
Cellos*
1 Double Bass
Multidisciplinary elements (e.g. video, dance, etc.)
Instruments not on this list can be considered but should be performed by the composer. In addition to a score, composer/performers should submit a video that’s illustrative of their playing.
*Denotes Civic Fellows instrumentation. All fellows will be performing on this concert, so priority will be given to a program that utilizes as many instruments marked with an asterisk as possible.
There are no restrictions on the date of composition.
Terms of Participation
Each composer who is invited and agrees to participate will receive an honorarium of $300. Assistance with flights, lodging and ground transportation is available.
Additionally, each participating composer will:
- Provide the Civic Orchestra with a score and parts of the selected piece.
- Give permission for a synchronization license (without an additional fee) so that a video recording of the piece can be shared by the Civic Orchestra on cso.org/tv, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram for up to five years from the date of posting.
- Attend at least the dress rehearsal on May 6 and concert on May 7.
Participating composers will receive a copy of the final video to use for promotional purposed.
Due to the volume of submissions received, we are unable to provide feedback on application materials.