ABOUT
Following in the footsteps of a traditional Open Mic event, this program adapts the idea for a new music context with the chamber orchestral forces of Contemporaneous serving as the band, providing an opportunity for composers of all ages and skill levels in the community to submit their work — in any stage of its development — to be performed in a free performance.
This program creates an invaluable opportunity for a large number of composers to take risks, try out new material, and hear their music performed in an open environment, where all are welcome to share their music, performed by the extraordinary musicians of Contemporaneous’s ensemble. The event will also be professionally recorded, so that all composers involved will receive top-notch recordings of their work.
The Open Mic will also serve as a space for the public and creative community, where all can come to gather, see, hear, and chat about the dreams and imaginations of the artists from all backgrounds who make up our creative life.
IMPORTANT ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
please contact info@contempraneous.org for any questions!
The Open Mic Vol. 2 call will be open until April 30, 2025
The performance is being held in early June 2025 (exact date to be announced soon!)
This call is open for all composers at any stage in their career
Piece configurations should be no more than 8 players, with no doubling in instrumentation – the following instrumentation will be accepted:
1 flute (doubling piccolo), 1 oboe (doubling English horn), 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), 1 saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, and/or bass), 1 bassoon, 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone, 2 percussionists, 1 piano, 1 guitar (acoustic, Classical, electric), 1 violin, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 contrabass (one doubling electric bass)Compositions should be no more than 10 minutes in length. Contemporaneous will also accept submissions of excerpts from larger works up to 10 minutes long.
Due to the collaborative nature of the event, we are currently only accepting applications from individuals who are residents of NYC or who can find and provide transportation to the city for the event.