Composer Intensive 2026-27

New Choir of Mount Vernon is accepting applications from composers to constitute its inaugural Composer Intensive in January, 2027! This opportunity is intended for composers in the early stages of their career who are interested in creating engaging, accessible choral music for an amateur choir. The intensive will be an in-person workshop over the course of three days (January 29-31, 2027), involving dialogue and rehearsal with NCMV and artistic director William Myers-Ortiz and culminating in a performance on Sunday, January 31, 2027. A recording of the concert will be made available for the composers’ use.

While this workshop is open to emerging composers all over the country, in-person attendance in Baltimore is required during the workshop period. Composers in the mid-Atlantic region, or those who demonstrate the ability to travel, may be shown preference. 

Submission guidelines

A downloadable PDF of the submission guidelines can be found here.

Submissions must be received by November 1, 2026 at 12:00 NOON (EST) to be considered.

Composers may only submit ONE ENTRY for this competition.

Score Submission Requirements: 

  • Preference will be given to submitted scores that have not yet received a public performance or reading.

  • Submissions will be accepted from composers based in the U.S. or internationally. Selected applicants are expected to attend weekend workshop process January 29-31, 2027.

  • Works should be for SATB, (optional limited divisi), a cappella or with piano accompaniment. 

    • The work must be approximately 3-5 minutes in duration. 

    • Texts must be in the public domain or used with documented permission of the copyright holder. Non-sacred texts are preferred. 

    • If setting a non-English text, composers should be prepared to demonstrate the pronunciation of the text.

    • NCMV is a community choir made up of volunteer singers and will have limited rehearsal time with the music; therefore, the accessibility of the piece is a significant component in the selection process.

  • Applicants should submit a PDF file of their score to the form linked below. 

    • Scores must be engraved on Sibelius, Finale, or similar music notation software and should be notated using typical Western music notation (graphic scores will not be considered). 

    • If the piece is a cappella, a piano reduction must be provided in the score. 

    • A recording or MIDI rendering of the score is appreciated but not required. If submitting an audio file, please submit via YouTube video link at the form below. 

    • The score must include a cover page. 

Additional Requirements 

  • Please submit a short artistic résumé along with the application form. 

  • This program (NCMV Composer Intensive) is intended for composers in the early stages of their career, or composers who are new to writing for choirs. In the form linked below, please explain (in 200 words or less) why you are a good fit for this program, and why accessible music for amateur choirs is important to you. 

  • Applicants must be able to attend workshops in-person from January 29-31, 2027 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD. (More details to follow.) 

Selected composers will receive a $250 honorarium and a recording of NCMV’s performance of their work. Since in-person attendance in Baltimore, MD is a requirement, preference may be shown to composers who reside in the mid-Atlantic region, or who demonstrate willingness and ability to travel to Baltimore. 

To apply to the NCMV Composer Intensive, please use this form.