For First Music 29 submissions made during the 2011-12 season, the following guidelines apply:

The deadline is January 6, 2012.

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident with valid green card whose birthdate is not earlier than May 25, 1982. Individuals who are legally in the United States on a visitor's visa, student visa, H-1 visa, or any other kind of visa which is not a 'green card' are not 'lawfully and permanently residing in the United States and are therefore not eligible for a First Music commission.

First Music is made possible by support from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University.