Microcommissions
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Application Pt. 1 | Application Pt. 2 Pro Tips | Q + A | Contact
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SoundWebs is a series of events that explores the intersection of wordless sounds and wordless music.These events will take place in May and June of 2019, and participants will be invited to listen deeply in creative ways. As part of that, we're performing a series of microcommissions at each event.Commissioned composers will be assigned a public space in Cincinnati and an ensemble to work with. They'll be asked to create a space-specific work that is an impactful part of the event.We're commissioning up to 6 composers, each of whom will get a $500 commission fee and be given 4-6 weeks to create their works.We hope you'll apply - we'd love to know more about your work and ideas. To do that, fill out the two-part application form.Priority deadline is Monday, April 15th. We may review applications on a rolling basis after that.
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Application Part 1
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Nearly every field is marked optional so that you can use this form in a way that's most convenient for you and best shows your work. We just need:1. Your contact information2. Information about your history as a composer in whatever way you'd like to share it (text, resume, website)3. Links/uploads for scores/recordings of up to three of your worksIf you have a larger portfolio and you'd prefer to provide a link to that, feel free. Just let us know which three works we should take a listen to.4. A completed part 2 by Monday, April 15, 2019. You do need to complete both parts of the application. You do not need to complete them at the same time.
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(Don't forget to complete part 2!)
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Application Pt. 1 | Application Pt. 2 Pro Tips | Q + A | Contact
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Application Part 2
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Part 2 asks for eight (!?!) ideas. Aim for at least three, or as many as inspire you. You do you. All those fields are marked "optional" to give you... options.If you have some experience pulling off similar works/ideas to what you propose, it would be helpful to talk about that here.For context and more details, check out pro tips.If you put over 1,000 words in the text fields, you may get an error message when you try to submit.You cannot save an application draft on this site. (Sorry.)Deadline: Monday, April 15, 2019
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Application Pt. 1 | Application Pt. 2 Pro Tips | Q + A | Contact
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Pro tips
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1. Consider using a mix of original, conventionally scored music (music that has a determinate length, score/parts/sheet music, traditional instruments) and unconventional, space-specific techniques (installations, chance elements, improv, performance art, audience participation, whatever). But - if you have an amazing idea that only involves one or the other, pitch it.2. This is designed to be a fast creative challenge. There's no pressure to write a symphony. For any parts of your work that involve newly composed music, around two minutes of original material is sufficient, though you would be welcome to write more.3. All the instruments in the ensembles listed would be available to you, but you don't have to use all of them. All instrumentalists will be professional musicians. Vocalists will likely include highly skilled avocational musicians. Rehearsal time for any group will be tight.4. Electronic elements are welcome and encouraged, but keep in mind we may or may not be able to help with A/V equipment.5. SoundWebs focuses on wordless music and sound - so, no text.
Even for choir.6. Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. This is not the ideal way to convey your ideas, but it's what we've got. Don't sweat over punctuation or spinning evocative prose.7. Our scenarios are hypothetical, and so are yours. If you're commissioned, you're not locked in to what you propose here.8. For your wild ideas, it's okay to push these guidelines or the scenarios themselves. For your practical ones, try to stay well within them.9. Use the scenarios to show how you think about sound, space, and music, as well as how you think about getting stuff done in the real world. Offer detailed ideas for a few of them, or broad ideas for a lot of them - whatever best represents your creative process.10. Mull this over in the shower, washing dishes, or walking the dog for weeks on end, but we hope (!) the application itself won't take more than 90 minutes. Set a timer, pour yourself a coffee/beer/Hawaiian Punch, and hit submit when you reach the end of one or the other.
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Application Pt. 1 | Application Pt. 2 Pro Tips | Q + A | Contact
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Q + A
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Do I have to live in Cincinnati?Because microcommissions should be space-specific, and because composers will likely need to work directly with performers, we imagine composers will primarily come from Cincinnati and surrounding areas. If you're outside the area and this project would make sense for you, you're welcome to apply, but please include a note in your materials to explain that.Am I too... (classical/not classical/experienced/inexperienced/etc.)?We'd love to have a group of composers with diverse voices and experiences. You should have some kind of track record in musical composition, but beyond that, composers of any genre and any situation - bartenders, Pulitzer-prize winners, stay-at-home parents, students, or any combination thereof - are welcome to apply.Besides the fee, what else might I get out of this?You'll be included in any web materials, press releases, and publicity for the project. You'll get to work with a great group of performers, and we'll schedule at least one social event for performers, composers, and other people working on the project to get to know each other.We can't guarantee your work will be recorded, although large portions of the project will be documented with professional videography, and you're welcome to record your work in any way you like. And we'd be happy to talk about anything else that might be helpful to you.What... is this, exactly?This is one of many projects supported by a People's Liberty project grant. SoundWebs is not an independent ensemble or a non-profit, but it will bring a few such entities together for some general awesomeness.Who's reading my application?That would be me - your application author and project curator - as well as performers and other individuals participating in the project. It will be a small group, and your information and ideas won't be shared outside of it.When is this? Where is this? Who's playing?Keep an eye on www.soundwebs.org for details.
First event is at the end of May.What happens next?We'll be in touch to to talk further or to let you know that your application didn't fit the project needs. In the interest of giving commissioned composers enough time to work, we might contact folks on a rolling basis. If you'd like a status update or feedback after the review is over, just ask.
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Application Pt. 1 | Application Pt. 2 Pro Tips | Q + A | Contact
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Still more questions?
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We tried to provide tons of information here, because there are few things more frustrating than an application shrouded in mystery. But if you have more questions or have any application glitches, email [email protected].
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Application Pt. 1 | Application Pt. 2 Pro Tips | Q + A | Contact
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