The Orchestral and Chamber Music deadlines for FIRST MUSIC commissions have passed.
The deadline for next years commissions will be December 31, 2010.
However, the Jazz deadline has been extended to January 31, 2010.

 

Application

Only complete, electronically submitted applications will be considered. Hard copies will not be accepted. For details on how to submit materials, please see instructions below.

The application must include the following materials:

• 1. One page resume outline, not in paragraph form, include full name, address, telephone, and email address;
• 2. One-page listing of previous works and performances, if any;
• 3. One score (orchestral, chamber, jazz, or choral) in PDF format only, representative of applicant's work, unmarked and with no composer identification. The score must be fitted to print on 8.5”x11” paper; Oversized scores will not be reviewed.
• 4. Two audio clips in mp3 format only, similarly unmarked, containing: i.) A five-minute excerpt from Item 3, with location of the excerpt marked in the full score; ii.) Full recording of Item 3. Do not list the name(s) of the performer(s).
• 5. Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency: copy only of birth certificate, passport, or U.S. permanent residency permit, as applicable. (Note that a driver's license, social security card, or student ID does not constitute proof of citizenship or permanent residency.)
• 6. $25 Application Fee (Orchestra and Chamber submissions only): You may pay online using a credit card or by sending check or money order. To pay online, please click here. If paying by check or money order, please make the payment payable to NYYS. Send the payment to First Music 27, New York Youth Symphony, 850 Seventh Ave, Ste 505, New York, NY 10019. Payment must be postmarked by December 31.

     Application Checklist

• one page resume
• one page listing of previous works
• one score in PDF format
• one 5 minute mp3 excerpt from score
• one full recording, mp3 format of score
• one PDF copy of proof of ID
• $25 application fee (Orchestra and Chamber submissions only), payable by credit card, check, or money order.

 

Submission:

First Music submissions are made by uploading your application materials to an FTP site. Please note that once you upload your application to the FTP site, you will not be able to modify or remove your application materials. Also, your application will not be complete until we receive your application fee.

To upload your application using Windows and Internet Explorer 8, please follow these directions:

• 1. Create a new compressed (zipped) folder on your desktop. Use your first and last name as the folder name, followed by FM 27 or FM Jazz.
• 2. Transfer all of your application materials to the compressed folder.
• 3. Open the FTP site by clicking on this link: ftp://composer.nyyouthsymphony.org.
• 4. At the login box, type “pennysaver\nyyscomposer” (no quotations) into the username field. In the password field, type “Mahler10” (no quotations). Click OK.
• 5. The FTP site will open. In the Internet Explorer toolbar, click on either the “Page” or “View” drop-down menu options. Then, click on “Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer.”
• 6. When the Windows Explorer window opens, drag your compressed folder from the desktop into the Windows Explorer window.
• 7. When the folder finishes transferring to the FTP site, close all the windows.
• 8. Send an email to FirstMusic@nyyouthsymphony.org to confirm that your file uploaded correctly. Please state the name of your file in the subject line. You will receive an email confirming whether your application uploaded successfully.

To upload your application using a Mac, you will need to download a free FTP program to upload your application materials. Fetch is a free FTP program for Mac and can be downloaded at http://fetchsoftworks.com/. Once the program is installed, please follow these directions:

• 1. Create a new folder on your desktop. Use your first and last name as the folder name, followed by FM 27 or FM Jazz.
• 2. Transfer all of your application materials into the new folder. Compress it by right-clicking it and selecting 'Create Archive of [folder name]." A new .zip file should be created with the same name.
• 3. Open Fetch. A connection window should automatically open. In the hostname box, type “composer.nyyouthsymphony.org” (no quotations).
• 4. In the login box, type “pennysaver\nyyscomposer” (no quotations) into the username field. In the password field, type “Mahler10” (no quotations).
• 5. Click OK.
• 6. Fetch will create a connection to the FTP site. Drag your compressed .zip file to the Fetch window.
• 7. When the file finishes transferring, close all the windows.
• 8. Send an email to FirstMusic@nyyouthsymphony.org to confirm that your file uploaded correctly. Please state the name of your file in the subject line. You will receive an email confirming whether your application uploaded successfully.

If you have any questions about the uploading process, please email FirstMusic@nyyouthsymphony.org.

Additional Guidelines:

• Each application will be considered in either the orchestra/chamber category or the jazz category, as indicated (see below).
• Applicants may submit one work in the orchestra/chamber category, and one in the jazz category per year. A separate application packet must be prepared for each work.
• Applicants may not submit more than one work in a single category (i.e. do not submit separate chamber music and orchestra applications).
• Jazz works submitted for consideration must be original compositions for standard big-band instrumentation; arrangements of pre-existing works are not acceptable.
• The audio portion of the application may be produced on a MIDI synthesizer.
• All applications are judged anonymously and according to merit.

Important:
Only Jazz applications emailed by midnight, January 31, 2010 will be considered. Hard copies will not be accepted. Only digital copies will be considered.