Grants for Student Composer/Performer pairs

NEW for 2021!

Results Announcement

The Franco Committee received five student composer/performer pair applications, and has selected two to receive grant funding. The award recipients are:

• Emily O'Mahoney (performer) & Ethan Sifferman (composer), both at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
• Claire Janezic (performer) & Jacob Leibowitz (composer). Claire is at the University of Rochester and Jacob is at the Manhattan School of Music.

The two pairs will collaborate over the coming months to compose and premiere a new work for carillon. Premiere performances will be recorded and shared online.

2021 Application Process (completed)

The GCNA is pleased to announce a new grant program to commission student composer-and-performer pairs to compose and premiere new works for carillon.

Grants of $1,000 are awarded to two collaborative composer-and-performer pairs for the composition and performance of new works for the carillon. Each award will be shared evenly between the composer and carillonneur ($500 each). Payment will be made upon completion of the project.

Eligibility

All applicants (composers and performers) must be enrolled as full- or part-time students at an accredited North American college, university, or conservatory with a traditional carillon, as defined by the GCNA, in the vicinity. There are no restrictions with regard to compositional style, and the composer need not be a carillonneur. Existing works are ineligible for submission. Membership in the GCNA is not required.

Application Procedures

Each composer-and-performer pair will submit one joint application. Application materials must be submitted to franco@gcna.org. Each completed application will include the following:

1. A completed application form. (Tip: use the Fill & Sign feature in the free Adobe Reader or another PDF program to fill and sign the form electronically.)
2. One sample score demonstrating the composer’s best work in any genre. An optional sample recording of the score may also be submitted. 
   
3. A short statement of no more than 250 words by the composer, describing the proposed work and how working with a carillonneur will facilitate its creation. 
   
4. A short statement of no more than 250 words by the performer, describing how their specific partnership will enhance the compositional process and the performance. The performer should also indicate their level of access to a carillon. 
   
5. A sample carillon recording by the performer, between 5 to 10 minutes in length, demonstrating their performance abilities. Repertoire performed may be in any style. 
   
6. A concise list of collaborative conduct agreements between the composer and performer (5-10 bullet points). Sample agreements to help you think of your own: 
   

Selection

In addition to creative vision, applications will be judged on evidence of a sound working relationship between the composer and performer. It is expected that each composer and performer will already be familiar with their partner’s goals and skills, and that they both embrace the challenges and opportunities of working as a duo.

Dates & Deadlines

• Application materials must be received on or before September 30, 2021.
  
• Grant winners will be announced by October 31, 2021.
  
• Completed score due to the Franco Committee by March 1, 2022.
  
• Video recording of the premiere performance due by June 1, 2022, which may be posted on the GCNA’s website and/or social media channels.
  

Publication

The Franco Committee, upon receiving the score, will determine whether the GCNA will publish the score in the 2022 collection of new music. Composers agree to grant full copyright and licensing of the work to the GCNA, in accordance with the terms of the GCNA’s standard copyright assignment and publication agreement. If the GCNA declines to publish the score, the score will remain the property of the composer.

Questions? Contact the Franco Committee at franco@gcna.org