2016 COMPOSER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
A Workshop Like No Other A three-stage project, The Metropolitan Orchestra Composer Development Program gives Eight NSW Composers not yet established in the Australian orchestral scene the rare opportunity to Collaborate with a Professional Conductor to
review and prepare their scores prior to a Workshop
with
Small Ensemble. Four composers will be selected to further workshop their piece with Full Professional Symphony Orchestra, receiving a Recording
of their Composition.
Composition competitions currently exist to have new orchestral works performed however there is no opportunity available in NSW for composers to workshop and develop their composition and overall craft within a professional context. The Metropolitan Orchestra Composer Workshop is a truly Unique Opportunity. In addition to the invaluable nature of the workshop itself, there is the intention to select one or more pieces for
inclusion in TMO’s Mainstage MET CONCERT Series in 2017 Furthermore, one composer may receive a COMMISSION from TMO to write a new work for the 2018 season.
ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES: Composers must be NSW residents and fall into one of two categories: A) have completed bachelor studies, and not yet be established within the orchestral scene; OR B) be studying composition as a major in secondary high school. 6 composers will be selected from Category A 2 composers will be selected from Category B
CRITERIA: TMO will put out a call for scores for works 6-15 minutes in length. Instrumentation can include all or part the following: WIND: 2 Flutes/Piccolo, 2 Oboes/Cor Anglais, 2 Clarinets/Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons/Contrabassoon BRASS: 4 Horns 3 Trumpets 3 Trombones 1 Tuba PERCUSSION: Timpani + 1 Percussion instruments include (but may not be limited to): Snare, Bass Drum, Xylophone, Glock, Cymbals, Tam-Tam, Triangle. STRINGS + HARP
Composer Development Program Schedule SCORE SUBMISSIONS
Call for Score Submissions: Submissions Due:
November 2015 1 March 2016
Score submissions must be in printed fomat and prefarably accompanied with a midi file of score. Instrumental parts are not required to be submitted at this stage.
SCORE SELECTION
Successful Applicants Announced: April 2016
A total of EIGHT composers will be selected - Six post-tertiary & Two high-school composers. All eight composers will be workshopped in Stage 1 & Stage 2 Workshops At the conclusion of Stage 2, four composers will be selected for further workshop in Stage 3. At least one composer in Stage 3 will be of high-school age. STAGE ONE WORKSHOP - WITH CONDUCTOR Venue: FINE MUSIC FM STUDIOS, 72-76 Chandos Street St Leonards Date: Friday 13 May 9am-6 pm Eight Composers will have the opportunity to workshop their scores* with TMO Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams. This stage is an invaluable opportunity, giving the composers the chance to ascertain areas within there scores that may need reviewing prior to being presented to an ensemble for rehearsals. Areas of discussion will include instrumentation decisions, orchestration considerations, formatting complications and understanding the rehearsal process. The idea of this round is to get scores into a ‘better shape’. STAGE TWO WORKSHOP - SMALL ENSEMBLE Held: FINE MUSIC FM STUDIOS, 72-76 Chandos Street St Leonards Date: Friday 17 June 10am-5 pm Stage Two is with The Metropolitan Orchestra Ensemble* consisting of TMO’s Prinicipal Players. This stage will give the composers the opportunity to workshop their pieces, with an instrument specific focus. TMO Prinicpal players will be able to highlight any concerns within their parts such as difficulties due to the technical limitations of the instrument. This give the composer the opportunity in real time to rewrite areas of their work and hear the result. STAGE THREE - FULL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Held: EUGENE GOOSSENS HALL ABC CENTRE Date: Friday 22 July 10am-5pm Four composers will have the rare opportunity to workshop their piece with full orchestra*. The workshop will be recorded by Sydney-based radio broadcaster Fine Music FM 102.5 and composers will receive a copy of their recorded piece. From this stage one piece may be selected for inclusion in TMO’s 2017 Concert Season. Additionally, one composer may be selected to receive a commission to write work in the 2018 season. NB: The composers selected for Stages 1 & 2 but not included in Stage 3 will be invited to attend the orchestral workshop as observers. Additionally, 250 school-aged composers will also be invited to attend. They will receive a copy of the scores and will be addressed by Sarah-Grace and the four composers being workshopped, giving an insight to the process and offer some general guidance for their own compositions.