The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra announces its new Kaleidoscope Initiative with a call for scores seeking to showcase diverse and dynamic emerging composers. One work each from three composers will be selected by a panel led by Maestro Jeri Lynne Johnson to be performed in public concerts in Philadelphia beginning in fall 2023. These performances will be professionally recorded and made available to the selected composers for promotional purposes. Kaleidoscope aims to highlight the diversity and complexity of artistic voices underrepresented in mainstream orchestral programming and to continue to evolve the canon.
 

The Kaleidoscope Initiative includes an innovative partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music. The Fleisher Collection is the world’s largest circulating body of orchestral performance sets and is committed to promoting new or little-known works. As part of this initiative, they will create and publish scores and parts that will be made available for distribution worldwide.

 

About Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra

 

Located in Philadelphia and led by Jeri Lynne Johnson, Black Pearl is a world-class, diverse orchestra nationally recognized for artistic excellence, commitment to DEI, and innovative programming that connects cultures and communities.

 

Eligibility:

• While there are no specific age restrictions, we define emerging composers as those in their early career stage. Examples include young composers currently in college and conservatories, or composers teaching in a variety of institutions who have not yet had a major orchestra premiere

• While the call for scores is open to everyone, early stage BIPOC composers are especially encouraged to apply

• Score must be between 8-18 minutes in duration

• Instrumentation for string orchestra, minimum of 3-3-3-2-1 and maximum of 10-8-8-6-4

• Composers may submit a work that has been performed but not yet recorded

• Composers are encouraged to attend the performances in person, but it is not a requirement.

 

Selected composers will receive:

• A premiere performance as part of a public performance series beginning in Fall 2023

• A high-quality, professional audio recording of the work for promotional purposes only—recordings are not permitted for commercial use

 

How to submit:

• Please submit through our google form and be ready to include: a short bio (1200-character max), a PDF of the score, a sound file, paragraph about the work including performance history, if applicable (1000 character max), website, and resume.

• Maximum of 1 submission per composer

• No application fee

• For any questions, please email michele@blackpearlco.org 

 

Deadline:

All materials must be received by June 16, 2023 at 11:59 PM EDT and applicants will be notified by e-mail no later than September 9, 2023 at 11:59PM EDT. Alternates may also be invited to participate at a later date, as needed.