Ember Choral Arts

Ember Choral Arts is thrilled to open applications for the second year of our already highly-successful Ember Ablaze Composer Lab (EACL)!  As last year, winning composers will be commissioned to write a composition, under the guidance of Composer in Residence, Dr. Robert Paterson, and with live workshop engagement with the semi-professional Ember. 

Ember is delighted to expand from two, to three application categories in our second year!

• High school composers (ages 13-18) living within NYC
• Young composers (ages 13-21) internationally
• Emerging composers (ages 22-35) internationally

Please note that parameters are as of the deadline of November 15th.

IMPORTANT: application fees will not be refunded once you have applied.

Honorable mentions will be given to the top two winners from each category.  Each chosen composer will participate in live and virtual workshops, culminating in the world premiere of their composition.  All composers will receive archival audio files and potential YouTube video links to their work.

Deadlines (subject to change)

• November 15: deadline for submissions.
• November 22: announcement of winning composers and honorable mentions
• November 30: introductory Zoom meetings with EACL composers, Dr. Robert Paterson, Ember's composer-in-residence, and Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, Ember's Founding Artist Director. Winning composers should submit text suggestions before this meeting.
• December 15: submit final texts for approval. After which, Robert schedules two more private Zoom or in-person meetings with both composers to discuss pieces and check in on progress.
• January 20: final composition submitted
• February 4: EACL live workshop with Ember
• February 18: rehearsals begin for the May concert
• March 10: EACL composer final draft due
• May 2 and 4: final concert(s), including EACL pieces

Key Points and Goals

• Performances: Ember will perform all three pieces within a year of their completion; at least one of the three will be premiered in the May concert of the award season.
• Commission Fees: the emerging composer will receive a $1,000 commission, and each young composer will receive a $500 commission. Travel and accommodations are the responsibility of the winning composers.
• Work Duration: 5-8 minutes for the emerging composer's work; 3-5 minutes for the young composers' works.
• Instrumentation possibilities: a cappella; with piano; with obligato percussion instrument/s (hand percussion, drumset, cajon, or suspended cymbal). Percussion instrumentation will need to be cleared by Ember before the composition is written. No instruments beyond the piano and the obligato percussion instruments listed here will be considered.
• There are no stylistic limitations; however, works making use of the potential beauty and expressiveness of the choral ensemble are encouraged. Typically, Ember performs a mix of contemporary classical works and a variety of pop music arrangements and pieces inspired by music from around the world. Submissions fitting any of these descriptions and/or mixing them in a crossover genre are welcomed. We recommend reviewing Ember's videos on YouTube to understand Ember’s style of programming.
• The composed piece must be original. Arrangements and transcriptions will not be accepted. Any pre-existing or A.I.-generated material must be identified in any of the scores submitted as part of the portfolio, and in the potential commissioned composition, itself.
• IMPORTANT: We recommend that composers review Composing For The Voice: Suggestions and Guidelines, written by Robert Paterson, our composer-in-residence, before selecting compositions to share as part of your portfolio; it is a requirement before composing your piece, should you be selected.
• Performing ensemble: Ember, of Ember Choral Arts, is an ensemble of ca. 25-30 singers, and is a mix of professional and experienced avocational singers. 
• All rights to the musical compositions and texts will remain with the respective authors. Ember Choral Arts retains all rights to the recordings (i.e., video links and audio files will be given to composers for posting on sites, social media, etc., but are not for use for sale or professional release or placement in films and other media, online or otherwise).
• There is a $50.00 submission fee. Applicants in financial hardship may apply for a fee waiver through Acceptd. Once your fee has been paid, it is non-refundable. 
• Ember is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Please click here to learn more about our policy. 

Text Choices

The 2024-25 season is Ember’s 30th season! One or more of the commissioned compositions will be performed as part of this final anniversary concert.  Texts for the compositions written through the EACL relating to the importance, joy, etc of singing/music/Art are encouraged. Texts may be in the public domain, or you may use a text for which you have written permission to use. Please note that written permission must be obtained from the publisher, publishing agent, and/or author before composing your piece. The text may be pre-existing or written by a living writer. The composers themselves may not write the texts.