Grants are provided for the commissioning and performance of new works by American composers.
The program supports works scored for 2–10 musicians performing one per part, composed in any of the musical styles associated with contemporary classical music.
Commission fees range from $5,000 to $20,000.
Applicants must be Chamber Music America ensemble or presenter members at the Organization level. If granted, the new composition must be performed by the same ensemble a minimum of three times in the U.S.
Composers Equity Project
Since 1983, only 93 of the 245 commissions made through CMA’s Classical Commissioning program have been composed by women or ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American) composers.
The Board of Directors of Chamber Music America has made diversity, inclusion, and equity a primary focus of the organization’s work. (Please read CMA’s Statement of Commitment.) CMA’s goal in this program is, through the panel review process, to award a majority of the grants to applicants who apply with women and ALAANA composers.
CMA has created the Composers Equity Project, a database of ALAANA, women and gender non-conforming composers that is accessible on CMA’s website. Applicants are encouraged to use this resource and become familiar with potential composers for a commission.
ALAANA, women, and gender non-conforming composers who wish to be included on this list may submit their information to CMA at docs.google.com/forms.
The Classical Commissioning deadline is Friday, April 23, 2021 at 9:00 PM (Eastern). Applications must be submitted online by the applicant ensemble or presenter (with a partnering ensemble).
Click here for program information and to apply: www.chamber-music.org/programs.
CMA’s Classical Commissioning Program grants are made possible by generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Deadline 23 April 2021
Website chamber-music.org
