In the interest of fostering new collaborative relationships between composers and choreographers in the Philadelphia region, this panel discussion will focus on the commonalities and differences between artists and their processes. Panelists will discuss their experiences in regards to points of departure, finding common ground, responsibilities and agreements, and other topics. It is hoped that the event will stimulate new collaborations between choreographers and composers. New projects may be eligible for the Subito grant program through the American Composers Forum, Philadelphia Chapter (next deadline April 26, 2010).
Panelists:
Richard Broadhead, Germaine Ingram, Robert Maggio, Toshi Makihara, Joellen Meglin, Matthew Neenan, Leah Stein, Bobby Zankel
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Panel Discussion: 4:30-6:30 pm
Reception: 6:30-7:30 pm
Jeanne Ruddy Dance Performance Garage
1515 Brandywine, Philadelphia, PA 19130| Map
FREE
Registration required by March 25, 2010
Register now
New Voices: Call for Applications
For the next New Voices program, ACF Philadelphia will collaborate with International Opera Theater to give seven member composers an opportunity to gain practical experience in writing an opera, resulting in a new opera production to be premiered in November 2010 at Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia. Seven local composers will be selected to write short opera vignettes (approx. 15 minutes) for four vocalists (lyric soprano, mezzo, lyric tenor, baritone) and six instrumentalists (flute doubling piccolo; clarinet doubling bass clarinet; violin doubling viola; cello; piano; one percussionist) based on seven novellas from The Decameron, a collection of 100 novellas written in the 14th century by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio.
The application deadline is March 15th 2010 (postmark deadline).
See the guidelines for full details and application instructions.
Grant Guidelines Revised
The application guidelines for the Community Partners and Subito grant programs have been revised. We will host workshops to review the new guidelines in the near future. Stay tuned for details!
Andrea Clearfield Receives Rome Fellowship
ACF Philadelphia is pleased to announce that Andrea Clearfield is the FY10 recipient of the American Academy in Rome Fellowship. An independent panel of composers carefully reviewed all of the applications and enthusiastically recommended Andrea Clearfield.
As an Academy Fellow, Andrea will be able to pursue her work at the Academy for 4-6 weeks. The Fellowship includes housing; meals; travel; the opportunity to sign up for Academy trips and tour; access to all Academy concerts, conferences, exhibitions, lectures, readings and symposia; access to all Academy scholarly resources: Library, Photographic Archive, and Archaeological Study Collection; and a stipend.
This unique opportunity is made possible by the William Penn Foundation and the American Academy in Rome. Their support enables ACF Philadelphia to select two composers (one per year) to attend the Academy.
“I am thrilled to have been awarded the American Academy in Rome Fellowship from the American Composers Forum. It is a dream come true to be able to live and compose in Rome . Thank you, Philadelphia Chapter and the William Penn Foundation for this invaluable opportunity!” --Andrea Clearfield
Congratulations Andrea!
Subito Fall 2009 Grantees Announced
American Composers Forum, Philadelphia Chapter is pleased to announce the results of the Fall 2009 round of Subito Grants.
At the October 26, 2009 deadline, we received 30 eligible applications requesting a total of $68,635—four times our allocated budget for this round. A panel of independent local composers carefully reviewed the applications and made the following funding recommendations, which were unanimously approved by our board:
- Richard Belcastro: To support two Philadelphia area performances of two new works for solo violin by Philadelphia-based composers Richard Belcastro and Suzanne Sorkin. Concerts will be held in April 2010 and feature violinist Piotr Szewczyk.
- Patrick de Caumette: To support production of Patrick de Caumette's first US solo CD, featuring some of Philadelphia's finest World and Jazz musicians.
- Gene Coleman: To support Gene Coleman's "Future City" project with Chinese instrument ensemble Chai Found Music Workshop. Concerts will be held in March 2010 in Chicago and Philadelphia.
- Brendan Cooney: To support a recording project for the Rhinoceri Trio, a jazz piano trio headed by Brendan Cooney.
- Andrew McPherson: To support travel costs and performer fees for two performances of "Secrets of Antikythera," scored for a new hybrid acoustic-electronic instrument designed and built by Andrew McPherson.
- Geoffrey Peterson: To distribute CD recordings of Seasons,Geoffrey Peterson's string quartet, at the 2010 Chamber Music America National Conference.
- Matthew Schreibeis: To partially fund the first solo concert of Matthew Schreibeis' compositions in Philadelphia. Concert to be held in 2010 at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia.
- Suzanne Sorkin: To support performers fees and production costs associated with the recording of a new work for Japanese 13-string koto, violin, clarinet, cello and percussion. Work will be premiered in April 2010 at the Shofuso Japanese House in Fairmount Park along with the works of two additional Philadelphia composers.
- David Bennett Thomas: To support engineering costs for a CD recording for release on the Innova label. The project, American Masterworks for Flute and Piano, features compositions by three Philadelphia composers: David Bennett Thomas, David Ludwig, and Benjamin B.S. Boyle, and performers Mimi Stillman, flute, and Charles Abramovic, piano.
- Lawrence Toft: To support a monthly avant-garde music series at the Tritone in Philadelphia entitled "Avant Ascension."
New Grant Review Policy Announced
Based on feedback from our membership, and following consultations with ACF National and other area non-profit organizations, the Board has voted to strengthen the Chapter’s grant review process. The new policy will take effect beginning with the next round of Subito grants (October 26th, 2009 deadline). Please view the announcement for full details.
Community Partners Fall 2009 Grantees Announced
Thank you to all of the composers that submitted Community Partners proposals at the September deadline. We applaud all of the applicants for the great work they are doing out in the community. Community Partners grants support composer residencies with a wide range of community, cultural and educational organizations. Three composers were selected to receive grants:
- Ben Arnold
- Paul Austerlitz
- Allen Krantz
American Academy in Rome
The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Composers Forum is excited to offer its members a unique opportunity to enhance their artistry and advance their careers as composers. During the next two years, the Philadelphia Chapter will select two composers (one per year) to attend to the American Academy in Rome. Selected composers will be eligible for a 4-6 week stay (length of stay at the discretion of the applicant) in Rome where they will pursue their work among the city’s rich cultural history. ACF Philadelphia and the American Academy in Rome will work with the selected composer to schedule the fellowship in 2010 or 2011.
Fellows will receive the following:
- Housing at the Academy (a single room with private bath)
- Meals on the same plan as provided Rome Prize Fellows and Residents; lunch and-dinner 5 days a week, additional lunch on Saturday
- Travel (air fare to and from Rome, and local travel up to $1,200)
- The opportunity to sign up for Academy trips and tour
- Access to all Academy concerts, conferences, exhibitions, lectures, readings and symposia
- Access to all Academy scholarly resources: Library, Photographic Archive, and Archaeological Study Collection
- The opportunity to rent a study or studio, if one is available
- Stipend of $2,000 for 4 weeks; $3,000 for 6 weeks
Applicants must posses an ACF membership at the time of submission. To join ACF, please visit the ACF National website. In addition, applicants must reside within the following six counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Camden.
Applications
Applications are due on November 6, 2009 and are available for download here.
If you have any questions about the application or the American Academy in Rome opportunity, please contact Program Manager, James Falconi: 267.639.2518 – james@acfphiladelphia.org
ACF Philadelphia thanks the William Penn Foundation and the American Academy in Rome for this amazing opportunity. For more information on the American Academy in Rome, visit www.aarome.org.
ACF Philadelphia Honors George Crumb
The Philadelphia Chapter presented George Crumb with an honorary lifetime membership to the American Composers Forum on Friday, September 25th at the Kimmel Center during a reception that preceded the 80th birthday concert: “George Turns 80!” Orchestra 2001 performed a unique program for the birthday concert, which consisted of music by Philadelphia composers and featured selections from Crumb’s American Songbooks. The American Composers Forum offered George Crumb this honorary membership as formal recognition of the composer’s outstanding contributions to contemporary music. The Philadelphia Chapter hopes that the local presence of George Crumb will continue to inspire composers, musicians, and listeners in the Greater Philadelphia area.
ACF Philadelphia Announces Program Deadlines for 2009-2010
Members are required to postmark their applications by the corresponding dates below.
Subito
- October 26 2009
- April 26 2010
- September 14 2009
- March 8 2010
- January 4 2010
- May 31 2010
Thank you to all of the applicants who submitted proposals for this year's Community Partners: Film Composers Edition. We received many worthy and interesting proposals, but only one grantee could be chosen. The winning proposal was submitted by composer Evan Solot and filmmaker Janet Goldwater.
Solot and Goldwater are currently working on a documentary about the life and work of Philadelphia poet Sonia Sanchez. Sanchez, despite being a major figure as a poet, writer, playright, and activist, has yet to be the sole subject of a documentary. This new film will "present this local cultural icon and role model to Philadelphia at large, and to the African American, poetry, and women's rights communities in specific." Solot and Goldwater hope to capture the essence of Sanchez's work in their documentary. The Chapter wishes them great success in their endeavor.
To learn more about composer and ACF member Evan Solot, visit his website.
To learn more about director Janet Goldwater, visit her website.