2010 Visiting Composer Program

About the job

Through a grant we are awarding up to two composers $14,000 each to design and carry out their own residencies in Minnesota. Visiting composers spend approximately 60 days in Minnesota, working on projects with Minnesota communities (preferably not musical communities). This is not a commissioning program, although new work may be part of the residency. Visiting composers should complete their projects within 18 months of receiving the award.

In keeping with the Forum’s commitment to promoting awareness and understanding of living compos- ers, the program encourages interaction with a variety of venues where new music is rarely heard, such as rural areas, schools, community centers, and with participants who may not have worked with a composer before.

Specific partner organizations do not have to be identified at the time of application, although that is strongly encouraged. The panel is more interested in project designs that are promising while still being feasible. Selected composers will be asked to develop their plans prior to beginning the residency.

Selection Criteria
 Creative potential, imagination, and effectiveness of the proposed project.
 Consistent high quality of previous work.
 Significance of this program to the composer’s career.

Who May and Who May Not Apply
 Composers living outside Minnesota are eligible to apply.
 Composers who have received a McKnight Visiting Composer Fellowship within the last three years
(2007, 2008, 2009) may not apply.
 Students who have not yet completed their course work may not apply (ABD).
 You need not be a member of the ACF to apply, but are required to join to be granted a residency.
 ACF staff and board may not apply.

Deadline: Application materials must be postmarked by Saturday, March 27, 2010.

How to Apply
Send the following:
 A resumé or bio (two pages maximum).
 A project proposal (three pages maximum) addressing the following points:
o A detailed description of your proposed activities while in Minnesota, including interaction with a specified community and an explanation of the value of your residency to that community.
 A statement explaining the direction of your work, musical stance, and why the residency you have designed would be useful to you.
 A maximum of three clearly-labeled recordings (CD or DVD) of works you have composed in the last three years.
o It is preferred that you put all 3 work samples with separate track IDs on a single disc.
o Track #1 should begin with a 4-minute sample of your most characteristic and compelling music.
o Excerpts or a section of a longer work are acceptable. This may be followed by a complete work.
 A one page work-sample description (e.g., title, date of composition, performers).
 A maximum of 3 scores, preferably matching the works on the recordings, marked with the dates of composition. Written scores are required unless they are inappropriate to your compositional style.
For improvised performances please describe the nature of your involvement as the composer.
 Other relevant support materials, such as letter(s) of commitment from individuals and organizations involved in your proposed project (optional, but preferred when the proposal requires the involvement of specialized communities).
 A check (to “ACF;” no stamps or SASEs please) to cover return postage of your application materials. Entries without return postage checks will be recycled.

Selection
The Visiting Composers will be selected by a three-member panel. Composers selected for a residency will be notified in May, 2010.
Deadline: Application materials must be postmarked by Saturday, March 27, 2010.

For more information about the Program please call, e-mail, or visit us online.