NCH & Sounding The Feminists Commissioning Scheme
NCH & Sounding The Feminists (STF) Commissioning Scheme offers established and emerging female and female identifying musicians and composers from all musical idioms a new platform to create new work. It is intended that the commissioned pieces will be performed as part of NCH’s programme in 2019.
The schemes envisage an inclusive perspective, the commission proposal can include:
- score-based work for a specific ensemble
- non-score-based, improvised, electronic, sound-art or installation-type composition
- new or experimental ways of conceiving music
- collaborative works from more than one musician or composer
- works from any musical idiom genre
The scheme will focus of on proposals of high artistic quality and vision. The scheme is open to music of all genres and idioms.
COMMISSION SCHEME 1
A commission aimed at experienced composers and musicians with a track record, the scheme offers a commission for an ensemble of up to 15 for 10-12 minute piece. The commission fee will be €10,000. The piece will be for instrumentation of the composer’s choice.
All entrants must submit a 200-word outline proposal of the work and a detailed musical CV including ONE MP3/ WAV audio file to support your submission. The submission should include the composer’s desired forces for the piece. Submissions should demonstrate a clear ability to write for the forces of their chosen composition. The competition is open to all female and female identifying composers/musicians born or resident in Ireland. Award winners must be available to attend the rehearsals and premiere performance in person on dates as agreed with NCH. It is intended that the piece will be premiered at NCH in 2019.
The proposals will be assessed and shortlisted entrants will be invited to interview & present on their proposal to a panel of NCH, STF and an independent expert on the week commencing January 7, 2019.
COMMISSION SCHEME 2
A commission aimed at emerging composers and musicians the scheme offers a commission for an ensemble of up to 6 musicians for a 5 minute piece. The commission fee will be €2,500. The piece will be for instrumentation of the composer’s choice.
For this scheme an emerging composer is defined as:
1. Someone who has not yet had a Professional Performance of a work in Ireland
2. A Professional Recording of a Work
3. Professional Commission
If you have all three, you cannot apply. If you have 2 out of 3 above - you can still apply
All entrants must submit a 200-word outline proposal of the work and a detailed musical CV including ONE MP3/ WAV audio file to support your submission. The submission should include the composer’s desired forces for the piece. Submissions should demonstrate a clear ability to write for the forces of their chosen composition. The competition is open to all female and female identifying composers/musicians born or resident in Ireland. Award winners must be available to attend the rehearsals and premiere performance in person on dates as agreed with NCH. It is intended that the piece will be premiered at NCH in 2019.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Download and complete the application form (will be available Wednesday 24th October, 10am)
- Please remember to complete the checklist on the application form
- Submit your application (including your outline and supporting information)
for Commission Scheme 1 (Experienced Composers) to commissionscheme1 [at] nch.ie ( )
and
for Commission Scheme 2 (Emerging Composers) to commissionscheme2 [at] nch.ie
The NCH Female Composer Series and Female Commissioning Scheme is presented in partnership with Sounding the Feminists and supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht together with Creative Ireland. The support of 20,000 euro a year over five years committed by government makes this a significant contribution to promoting the work by female/female identifying musicians and composers.
Deadline for receipt of entry is 10th December 2018.
Further information for artists is available from Sounding The Feminists at info [at] soundingthefeminists.com