Composer Lab 2024

The Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland, the National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ lyric fm are delighted to continue their ongoing composer professional development partnership, Composer Lab. We are now accepting submission of applications for Composer Lab 2024.

Composer Lab is a professional development initiative aimed at composers who have had limited opportunities to write for symphony orchestra. This project provides the participating composers with a creative and open environment in which to deepen their understanding of writing for the forces of a symphony orchestra. We are delighted to welcome back internationally renowned composer David Fennessy as our composer mentor for 2024.

All applicants for Composer Lab 2024 will receive equal opportunity irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity or indigenous status. Gender balance is a consideration in the selection process. We especially encourage those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

On the completion of the project, all works will receive a public performance by the National Symphony Orchestra in a special edition of RTÉ lyric Live broadcast from the National Concert Hall on RTÉ lyric fm and streamed online in January 2025.

What happens in Composer Lab?

• A maximum of four composers will be selected to take part in the project with two places reserved for composers represented by CMC. The additional two places are open to any composer who was born or is resident on the Island of Ireland (Residency is defined as at least three years).
• Selected composers will be expected to prepare a 6-8 minute work for symphony orchestra (3.3.3.3 / 4.3.3.1 / tmp+3 / hp / str 7.6.5.4.4). This may also include electronics. N.B. The implementation of electronics will be the responsibility of the participating composer. Please ensure that you can provide any additional equipment necessary to facilitate the performance of your work.
• This work-in-progress will be the focus of a preparatory meeting with Composer Lab mentor David Fennessy at the Contemporary Music Centre on 4 March 2024. N.B You will need to provide examples of sketches and ideas for your work-in-progress a week in advance of this meeting.
• This work-in-progress will then be the focus of a workshop with the NSO section principals (or section leaders) on 28 May 2024.
• Following this, the work-in-progress will be the focus of an intensive public workshop with the NSO, conductor Gavin Maloney and mentor David Fennessy on 16 September 2024.
• Revisions of the work-in-progress will be discussed in a further meeting with the mentor composer David Fennessy based on the learning from the public workshop with the NSO.
• On subsequent completion of the revisions, the revised scores and parts will be due for submission in Late November 2024.
• The new works developed through Composer Lab will be premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra in a special edition of RTÉ lyric Live broadcast from the National Concert Hall on RTÉ lyric fm and streamed online in January 2025.

Would you like to apply for Composer Lab?

We are now seeking applications for this initiative. In order to make a submission, composers must submit the following by email to submissions@cmc.ie by 5pm on Monday, 15th January 2024, with the subject heading ‘Composer Lab 2024’ :

1. A short proposal outlining details of the piece you intend to write, how it relates to your existing working practice and how Composer Lab will enable you to realise your artistic intentions and develop your skills.
2. Two recently completed full scores in pdf format (not excerpts) which demonstrate your potential to write for symphony orchestra.
3. A link to a recording of a performance or electronic realisation of each score.
4. C.V. to include details of past professional performances.

What happens if your application is successful?

Selected participants will then be expected to:

• Confirm their availability to attend the preparatory meeting with David Fennessy on 4 March 2024, the workshop with the section principals on 28 May 2024, a public workshop with the NSO on 16 September 2024 and the performance broadcast in January 2025.
• Confirm that they will be able to submit the new work for symphony orchestra by Late November 2024 in the form of a full score (in PDF format) and parts (in PDF format) of the completed work and an electronic realisation of the piece to CMC.

Eligibility

• If you have made an unsuccessful application to Composer Lab in the past, this does not preclude you from applying in 2024. For Composer Lab 2024 applications that are based on previous applications, please take care to explain how you have developed your idea since last applying.
• Those who have participated in Composer Lab previously are not eligible to apply.
• There is no age restriction for applicants. We encourage composers of all ages to apply.
• We especially encourage those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply.
• Composer Lab 2024 is open to those born or permanently resident on the island of Ireland.
• Composer Lab is also open to those in full-time education at PhD level in the field of composition.

Notes for applicants:

• The selection panel will consist of the composer mentor along with representatives from the National Symphony Orchestra and the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland.
• Two out of four composers selected will be from among composers represented by Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland.
• Participating composers may apply for CMC travel bursaries and receive CMC score copying support directly related to the project.
• Participating composers with disabilities may apply to CMC for bursary support to cover Access Costs (Access costs for participants with disabilities cover requirements you may have in order to remove barriers that might stop you from completing the programme).
• Each participant composer will receive a €1000 stipend for their participation in Composer Lab. This stipend will be paid by CMC over the course of the project.
• The decision of the selection panel is final.
• Composers whose applications are successful will be informed in early February 2024.
• In the interest of fairness to all applicants, we will not be in a position to consider late applications. A late application is defined as being any time after the stated deadline of 5pm GMT on Monday, 15 January 2024.