In collaboration with New Music Chicago, the Civic Orchestra Fellowship Program is excited to
announce a Call for Scores! Founded in 1919, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago prepares its
members for multifaceted and meaningful careers in orchestral music and beyond.
Each year, a cohort of musicians are selected as Civic Fellows. Through additional creative
projects and training, this season-long program empowers participants to realize their full
potential as artistically excellent, civically engaged, collaborative and entrepreneurial musicians.
For the 2025/26 Season, the Civic Fellows’ core values are as follows:
• The Civic Fellows are a group of passionate musicians who use their creativity and musicianship to explore connections between artistry and social justice, build authentic and lasting relationships with their Chicago community, and challenge the boundaries of what it means to be an artist.
• The Fellows will activate these connections and relationships in their artistic and project programming to respond to the growing need for musicians to take a more active role in their communities, and use their artistry and passions to pursue societal and institutional change.
Timeline
• February 18, 2026 – Application open
• March 22, 2026, 11:59PM CST – Application deadline
• By April 10, 2026 – Results will be sent via email
• May 16, 2026, 10am-3pm – Chamber coachings with composers at Symphony Center in Chicago, IL
• May 17, 2026, 7pm – Performances of selected works in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center
How to Apply
• Applications will be submitted through the following application form:
https://forms.gle/hedJWzH2ku2ZQuvi7
• Applicants must complete all questions outlined in the form. Incomplete applications will
be dismissed. Questions will pertain to contact information and information about your
piece.
• Applicants should expect to respond to the following prompts in under 250 words, or with
a video response:
-Please give us a brief biography of your musical journey and how it has led you
to the Chicagoland area.
-Talk about what has inspired you and the creative process for your submitted
work.
-What draws you to apply for this call for scores?
• Applicants are encouraged but not required to submit a recording of their work.
• Applicants must submit a PDF of completed scores that meet the criteria outlined below.
Composer Eligibility
• Composers must have an active membership with New Music Chicago to submit a work for this
call for scores. Composers must also be eligible to work in the United States. While it is not
required that composers reside in the Chicagoland area, travel and accommodation will not be
covered for the concert.
• Composers of all ages are welcome to apply. If the composer is under the age of 18, they must
be accompanied by a parent or guardian to all rehearsals and engagements.
• Composers may submit up to two (2) distinct pieces. Pieces must have been written within the
past six years, no earlier than January 1, 2020. All notation types, genres and styles will be
considered.
Instrumentation Guidelines
• We will accept pieces written for 2-12 musicians. The instruments available are as follows: Violin*, Viola*, Cello*, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe*, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet*, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion*, Harp*, Piano, Electronics
* Denotes instrumentation of the 2025/26 Civic Fellows cohort. Inclusion of these instruments is highly encouraged.
• Works may include any combination or multiple of the instruments listed above.
Works including electronics/amplification will be accepted.
• Solo works for 1 instrument and electronics will be considered.
• Pieces requiring trained vocalists will not be considered as it is our goal to highlight musicians from the Civic Orchestra. However, pieces involving instrumentalists to speak or sing will be considered. Pieces must be able to be played unconducted. Pieces should be no longer than 20 minutes. They may be an individual movement, multi-movement work, or a stand-alone piece.
Terms of Participation
Civic Fellows will choose up to seven works by unique composers. The selected composers will:
Have their work performed in concert by members of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in
Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center.
• Provide the Civic Orchestra Fellows with a score and parts of their selected piece.
• Be physically present in Chicago to offer a coaching of their work on May 16, 2026 at
Symphony Center between 10am-3pm.
• Attend the dress rehearsal at 4:00pm and concert at 7:00pm on May 17, 2026.
• Each selected composer will receive a $300 honorarium recognizing their submission
and coaching time.
Due to the expected volume of submissions to be received, we are unable to provide feedback
on unselected applications.