Composer in Residence Program

Call for Compositions

Amity Trio is pleased to announce an open competition for our next composer in residence. Selected finalists will be commissioned to write a 3-minute work for a May 2026 concert premiere. The winning composer will be invited to become Amity Trio’s composer in residence.

Application Deadline: December 4, 2025

Goals: The goal for our Composer in Residence program is to build relationships with the composers we collaborate with, working to create more music for our ensemble and share this music with more communities.

Eligibility: All composers are welcome to submit an application. People with marginalized identities are especially encouraged to apply.

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Submission Guidelines

To facilitate the blind selection process for the first round, all references to the composer’s name must be removed from application materials. A third party will be the strict intermediary between  reception of materials and the trio.

  • There is no application fee.

  • Score/lyrics must be in English.

  • Scores must be submitted in .pdf file format with no reference to the composer’s name.

  • Audio recordings must be submitted in .mp3 file format with no reference to the composer’s name in the file name.

Submission Materials

  • Two (2) sample scores with recordings. Acoustic recordings are strongly preferred. At least one of the sample scores should demonstrate the ability to write for voice

  • Current CV or Resume (remove composer’s name and dates of education)

  • A short proposal of what you would write for Amity Trio (400 words)

Additional Details

  • Up to three finalists will be selected from submission applications and invited to write a new work for Amity Trio, which will premiere at a live concert in 2026 in either New Mexico or Indiana. Finalists are expected to be in attendance at the premiere.

  • Each finalist will receive a $1,000 commissioning fee. ($500 at the delivery of the score and $500 at the premiere) 

  • The finalists will provide Amity Trio with a digital copy of the score and parts to be distributed to members of the ensemble for their program use. 

  • Finalist(s) will submit a 300 word bio and a list of professional references, and will interview with the Trio and members of the Board of Directors. 

  • One composer will be selected from the three finalists to become a composer-in-residence with Amity Trio for up to three years. The terms of the residency will be negotiated at that time.

Recording Rights

  • All copyright, mechanical rights, and royalty rights remain with the composers. Composer may license, perform, publish, or distribute the composition separately from recording authorized for Amity Trio after a year of exclusivity.

  • Composer authorizes Amity Trio to record, reproduce, and distribute the winning composition recording, publicly perform the winning composition, and license the composition recording through any means of distribution, whether physical,digital, or video, in perpetuity.