2024 National Women’s Music Festival
Young Women of Color Composers Competition
Women in the Arts is pleased to announce the 2024 Young Women of Color Composers Competition for the creation of a new composition for orchestra to be premiered in July 2026 in celebration of the 50th National Women’s Music Festival!
Who should apply?
Emerging women composers of color, between the ages of 21 and 36 at the time of application. The composer must be available to attend the festival in July 2026 (specific dates and location TBD). Composers, performers, or directors who have been paid or performed at NWMF during the past 5 years are not eligible to apply.
What will the Composer receive?
$2,000 for composition and part extraction Performance July 2026
Travel, food and lodging for 2026 National Women’s Music Festival Archival video recording
Composition Requirements:
The composition must be no longer than 7 minutes and no shorter than 5.5 minutes, scored for small orchestra.
Style and content are open to composer’s interpretation.
Orchestra instrumentation: small orchestra or chamber orchestra (e.g., 2,1,2,1 – 2,2,1,0, strings no more than 2-part divisi and one double bass). Final instrumentation is to be discussed with NWMF Orchestra Music Director, Nan Washburn.
Percussion: 1-2 percussionists; availability of instruments to be discussed with NWMF Orchestra Music Director, Nan Washburn.
May include piano; however, no harpsichord or electronic keyboard
All copyright laws apply to music.
To apply:
Submit a biographical sketch or vita, résumé of compositional activity, and at least two (2) sample works to n wmforch@gmail.com by December 31, 2024.
The sample works should be of 5-7-minute duration with digital audio in mp3, AAC, or WMA format and must include the score in PDF format. Samples must be ensemble compositions, from string quartet to full orchestra. YouTube or digital video links may be included; however, these will be excluded from samples evaluated by reviewers.
Review Process:
Reviews for preliminary and final selections will be anonymous. After receipt, the NWMF Orchestra Producer will identify submissions by number and make appropriate redactions for reviewers.
Selections will be made based on the merits of work and suitability for performance at the National Women’s Music Festival.
Timeline:
Call – June 1, 2024
Applications due – December 31, 2024
Selection of Finalists – April 1, 2025
Composer selection – May 1, 2025, with formal announcement at the 2025 NWMF Music Director Consultation by May 15, 2025
Final Work (score and parts) completed – November 15, 2025
NWMF Performance – July 2026
Contact:
Leslie D. Judd, NWMF Orchestra and Special Projects Manager
nwmforch@gmail.com
630-777-2742