Become a colaboratory Partner
Overview and Partnership Benefits
EarShot CoLABoratory Residencies advance the work of composers whose work is experimental and/or rooted in musical traditions underrepresented in the orchestral repertoire. Over the course of a year, CoLABoratory provides a generative environment for composers from any and all musical backgrounds to create definition-expanding works for orchestra. Instead of a call for scores, this is a call for ideas to be developed in partnership with the orchestra through an artist-led process.
EarShot is a program of the American Composers Orchestra, in partnership with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA.
- Discover Adventurous Artists – ACO’s broad and inclusive recruitment efforts identify and curate creative artists aligned with each orchestra’s programming goals and priorities
- Develop New Audiences – ACO staff work hand-in-hand with partner orchestras to design educational programming and community-focused events as an extension of CoLABoratory programming
- Engage Your Donors – CoLABoratory creates new opportunities for philanthropic support, including readings, commissions, residency activities, educational programs, and cultivation events
- Extend Your Reach – At a fraction of the cost of building an in-house recruitment and readings program, ACO has a proven track record of identifying composers whose work expands the definition of American orchestral music
Highlights
- Guillermo Klein, The Kingdom
- John Glover & Kelley Rourke, Right Now
- Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Bass Concerto: Nightlife
- Michael Begay, Diné Thought/Life Process
- Kite, Wičhíŋčala Šakówiŋ
- Laura Ortman, Unsurrenderable Glisten of the Ices
- Raven Chacon, Title TBA
Program Components
- National call for proposals, identifying artists whose work is aligned with the goals of the orchestra and initiative
- Intake meetings between composer and ACO staff to shape the development process and identify needed external collaborators to complete the project
- Orientation between composer, ACO staff, partner orchestra staff, and any external collaborators to kick off the process and identify opportunities for public engagement
- 2-3 generative workshops with ensembles of increasing size (chamber to full orchestra), each preceded by prep meetings with ACO artistic staff
- Rehearsal period (2-3 rehearsals) and performance of work
- As appropriate, inclusion of the work in ACO’s EarShot Publishing initiative, driving repeat performances with other orchestras
- ACO-led preparation of scores, in partnership with copyists and partner orchestra librarians
- 2-3 reading services with orchestra, composers, and established mentor composers
- Opportunities for feedback from orchestra musicians, librarian, and conductor, leading to score revisions
- Relationship building and professional development opportunities
- Composer-led activities in community spaces and educational settings
- A pipeline to extended commissioning opportunities via ACO and the League of American Orchestras
ACO Provides:
- Travel to EarShot partner orchestra city/venue, lodging, and ground transit
- Facilitation and review of CoLABoratory applications
- Collection and review of all orchestral materials for selected works to ensure scores and parts are of a professional quality
- Professional development workshops with mentors and industry leaders for participating composers
- Communication with CoLBoratory partners including the American Composers Orchestra, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA
- Materials in support of publicity, promotions, and program for the event
- A detailed production schedule and optimal timeline
- 1–2 staff members to facilitate readings and feedback sessions
- Collaboration with orchestra staff in engaging donors and planning events for supporters and community partners
- Support for building consortia for CoLABoratory-developed compositions
Partner Orchestras Provide:
- Two or more orchestral services for workshops plus premiere rehearsal/performance cycle
- Engagement with staff, conductor, and other internal stakeholders to facilitate planning for project events
- Venue for workshops, rehearsal, and performances
- Catering for working meals while in session during the residency period
- At least one quality recording of each participant’s workshopped composition
- Library support for preparation and dissemination of parts and scores and return of performance materials to each featured artist
- Pre-/post-event feedback sessions with conductor and musician liaisons
Recent CoLABoratory Artists
- inti figgis-vizueta
- Marcus Gilmore
- Yvette Janine Jackson
- Trevor New
- Mendi + Keith Obadike
2023–24 & Beyond
- Edmar Castañeda
- Raven Chacon
- Kebra-Seyoun Charles
- John Glover & Kelley Rourke
- Kite
- Guillermo Klein
- Laura Ortman
- Joseph C. Phillips Jr.
Partner Orchestras
Recent partners include:
Recent partners include:
- South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
- Tucson Symphony Orchestra
- Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Questions & Information
For questions or comments CoLABoratory, please contact Loki Karuna, Director of Artist Equity: [email protected].