CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2022: NEW WORK FOR CHAMBER WINDS AND PERCUSSION

The Show-Me Pride Ensembles d/b/a Mid America Freedom Band is accepting proposals for a new work for chamber winds and percussion, from composers regardless of age, nationality, or style. The proposed 6–7 minute long original piece will be performed by members of the Mid America Freedom Band during the ensemble’s next educational concert anticipated in the 2021–22 season.

MAFB’s educational partner is the National World War I Museum and Memorial. We are seeking a new work that is inspired by or incorporates the mystery surrounding the tune found on Hugh Gordon Langton’s tombstone as explained in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z09EIos5lnE.

MAFB is Kansas City’s community ensemble of LGBTQ+ and allied musicians with approximately 80 playing members. MAFB provides a safe space for instrumental performance opportunities, outreach, and social advocacy for music enthusiasts within the LGBTQ+ and ally spectrum of the Kansas City area to create an inclusive community that fosters and celebrates diversity. Championing works by composers traditionally underrepresented on the stage is central to the organization’s mission.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Composer can be of any age, nationality, or point in their career working in any style.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

1. Cover letter with name, address, email, phone number, website (if possible) and brief biography (approximately 250 words) in .pdf format.

2. Written proposal for new work addressing how it will fit with the organization’s mission as stated above while contributing new ideas for amateur mixed chamber ensembles in .pdf format. Please include your intended instrumentation chosen from those listed below. A brief sketch of musical materials may be included but is not required. PLEASE DO NOT SEND COMPLETED WORKS.

3. Two sample .pdfs of recent works. Preference is for large ensemble works and those involving winds and percussion instruments. Sound samples or realizations of the works submitted are also encouraged but not required. If the proposal includes an electronic component, one of the sample works must include electronics and be accompanied by a sound sample.

4. Please use .pdf for submitted cover letter, proposal, and score samples and .mp3 for sound files. Permanent, direct links (e.g. personal website, dropbox, google drive, issuu, soundcloud) to score samples and audio are acceptable and encouraged. If providing a link, ensure that sharing settings are viewable to anyone with the link.

5. Submit all materials electronically to composition@freedomband.com by May 30, 2021, 11:59 p.m. CST. Composers will receive a confirmation email of receipt within 48 hours of submission.

6. Submissions that are incomplete by the due date will be disqualified.

7. There is no fee to submit materials.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. After June 1, 2021, a five-person panel of the MAFB artistic director, assistant artistic director, and representative voices from the winds and percussion sections will review the materials.

2. A shortlist of finalists will be compiled mid-June, at which time additional materials may be requested of shortlisted composers.

3. Shortly after June 15, 2021, the committee will select and contract one composer with which to collaborate on the new chamber piece.

4. The new work and parts must be completed by January 1, 2022.

5. MAFB will provide the composer with a $1000.00 stipend upon completion.

6. MAFB intends to rehearse and perform the work in Spring 2022. The composer is encouraged to attend rehearsals and the performance, but is not required. If the COVID pandemic continues to make live, in-person performance impossible, the premiere will be moved to Spring 2023 or the next possible opportunity.

PIECE REQUIREMENTS

1. Piece must be scored for 10–13 chamber winds and percussion performers chosen from the following instrumentation. Parts will have one player.

2 Flutes (1 Piccolo doubler okay)
2 Oboes (1 English Horn doubler okay)
2 B-flat Clarinets
1 Bass Clarinet
1 Bassoon
2 Alto Saxophones (1 Alto/Soprano doubler okay)
1 Tenor Saxophone
1 Baritone Saxophone
2 B-flat Trumpets
2 F Horns
2 Trombones
1 Euphonium
1 Tuba
1 Contrabass
1 Timpani (4 drum maximum)
2 Percussion (available mallet instruments include Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Chimes and
must be limited to one performer, a plethora of battery and auxiliary instruments are available
for both performers)
Fixed media electronics
Voice, any fach

2. Piece should be graded approximately as a “4” on the American Band College Music Grading Chart (https://www.bandworld.org/pdfs/GradingChart.pdf).

3. Other selections intended for the program include Kurt Weill’s Violin Concert, Johanna Senfter’s Tonstuck, Josef Rheinberger’s Abendlied, and Jean Sibelius’ Tiera. This new piece should complement these pieces and push the ensemble in new directions while still remaining playable by amateur musicians.

Send any questions to composition@freedomband.com

PAST WINNERS

2021 - David Berger, Marcus Lewis, and Jackie Myers
2020 - Stephen Ryan Jackson asphyxiating sky
2019 - Olivia Kieffer The Four Swords
2018 - Louisa Trewartha Silver Lake
2017 - Justin Raines CME
2016 - Nicole Murphy six
2015 - Derek Jenkins Kolo