spark call for composers

 

We are looking for three composers who are interested in collaborating and co-creating works with visual artists and ensemble vim. All composers living in the continental United States who are citizens or permanent residents of the US are eligible to apply. We encourage people from every race, creed, color, gender, and sexual/gender orientation to apply.

Composers must be available to spend February 7-10, 2025 (travel days: Feb 6 and 11) in Atlanta.

Each selected composer will receive:

  • $2,000 award

  • $1,000 project allowance, split with the visual artist

  • Two workshops with ensemble vim

  • $600 travel stipend and $50 per diem

  • Five nights of lodging in Atlanta for sparkweek in February 2025

  • Professional video and audio recordings of the premiere

Deadline: The application deadline for spark has passed.

Application fee: None

vim’s Max Instrumentation:

Any combination of:

Flute (doubling piccolo and/or alto flute)

Violin

Cello

Piano (doubling toy piano and/or melodica)
Note: Piano preparations will be at the discretion of the pianist. All preparations must not cause damage to the instrument.

Electronics (stereo)

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Application

Please submit a completed Application Form. 

Section 1 - Application Materials (required)

Within the application form, you will submit a link to a folder containing the materials below. Materials must be anonymous. Incomplete applications or submissions that identify the applicant will be immediately disqualified. 

1. A 1-2 page proposal (PDF) about: 

  • Your current creative interests, including a description of a work you would like to co-create with a visual artist and ensemble vim [Note: If selected, you will work with your assigned visual artist on an interdisciplinary project that may differ from the one proposed here]

  • Your interests and past experiences (if any) in interarts collaborations

  • Your creative process

2. Two work samples, where at least one of the samples shows proficiency in composing for a chamber ensemble similar to that of ensemble vim.

Section 2 - Composer Information (required)

Information collected in this section will not be used in the adjudication process and is collected so that we can contact the selected composer fellow.

Section 3 - Demographic Information (optional)

Information collected in this section will not be used in the adjudication process and is collected only for internal data.

Timeline

Jan 2, 2024 - Applications open

Mar 31, 2024, 11:59PM EDT - Applications close

May 6, 2024 - Launch concert: composer fellows and artists announced

May 2024 - Initial meeting of minds (virtual)

Sep 2024 - First workshop (virtual)

Nov 2024 - Second workshop (virtual, hybrid, or in person)

Feb 7-10, 2025 - sparkweek (in person)

Adjudication Process

Round 1: A panel will review all proposals and work samples anonymously and select a portion of applications to move to the next round.

Round 2: Composers’ information will be revealed, and members of ensemble vim will select three composer fellows and three alternates.

ensemble vim will contact selected composer fellows for the 2024/25 cycle in April 2024 and will make a public announcement of the selected composer and visual artists at spark’s launch event on May 6, 2024.