Program Guidelines - Omega Ensemble
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Program Guidelines
1
Overview
The CoLAB: Composer Accelerator Program
offers a unique opportunity for five talented
young composers to obtain direct industry
experience in collaboration with the musicians
of Omega Ensemble and under the mentorship
of leading professional composers.
This selective national program is suited to early-career composers with
highly-developed compositional skills, a strong artistic voice and demonstrated
career ambitions. The program aims to accelerate participants in their creative
career with intensive workshops and through direct industry connection.
Across a nine-month program, participants will develop a substantive new work
for chamber ensemble through studio and digital workshops, with mentorship
from leading Australian and international composers and in collaboration with
the musicians of Omega Ensemble.
Throughout the program, participants will be engaged and supported in the
commissioning process in a professional setting, including developing works
to a strict brief, meeting multiple deadlines, receiving and incorporating critical
feedback, as well as receiving a commissioning fee for their work.
The CoLAB program concludes with an industry showcase performance
at Sydney Opera House, with each participant presenting their work to an
audience of invited guests, including artistic planners from orchestras and
ensembles, film and television producers, and theatre and festival directors.
Program Outcomes
• Expand technical skills and take bold artistic risks under the guidance of
professional composers and through sustained collaboration.
• Form professional networks for future employment opportunities and
develop new business skills to support a sustainable creative career.
• Enhance professional CV through participation in a selective program.
• Gain insight and practical experience working with a professional
Ensemble and directly with professional musicians.
• Obtain recordings and documentation of artistic practice.
Photos by Keith Saunders 2
3
2022 Mentors
Carl Vine (AU)
Carl Vine AO has written eight symphonies, twelve concertos and a wide range of
chamber music, as well as music for film, television and theatre. His music is available
on more than 60 commercial recordings and is performed frequently around the world.
From 2000 -2019 Vine was Artistic Director of Musica Viva Australia and in 2014 he
was appointed an Officer of The Order Of Australia (AO).
Gordon Kerry (AU)
Gordon Kerry’s works have been performed extensively by ensembles in Australia and
abroad. He held the Ian Potter Established Composer Fellowship in 2009-2011, and
his first opera, Medea has been staged on three continents. Kerry has held several
residencies and writes extensively about music, notably in his book New Classical
Music: Composing Australia (UNSW Press).
Nico Muhly (USA)
Nico Muhly is a highly sought-after composer who has written more than 100 works for
many notable orchestras and ensembles around the world, including his opera Marnie
(2017), which was staged by the Metropolitan Opera in the fall of 2018. A graduate of
Julliard School, he previously worked as editor for Philip Glass, has collaborated with
Bjork and Sufjan Stevens, and scored the Academy Award nominated film The Reader.
Missy Mazzoli (USA)
Grammy-nominated composer, Missy Mazzoli’s music has been performed by some
of the world’s most prestigious and leading orchestras and ensembles, as well as
extensive work for film, theatre and dance. In 2018, Mazzoli was the first woman to be
commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. She is currently Composer-in-Residence at
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Christopher Cerrone (USA)
Christopher Cerrone’s music is characterized by a subtle handling of timbre and
resonance, a deep literary fluency, and a flair for multimedia collaborations. He was a
finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize and has received a GRAMMY nomination. He is the
winner of the 2015-2016 Samuel Barber Rome Prize in Music Composition and holds
degrees from Yale and the Manhattan School of Music.
Holly Harrison (AU)
Holly Harrison’s music has been performed throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, and
the USA including at festivals in the Netherlands, USA, Sweden, Canada and around
Australia. She was the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s first composer in residence
in 2020 and has been commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble
Offspring, Goldmund Quartett, Sydney Symphony Fellows, and Enigma Quartet.
45
The Program
The CoLAB program connects participants with
professional musicians and leading Australian and
international composers through intensive in-studio
and digital workshops, with additional opportunities for
networking and professional development.
2022 Program Schedule *
Early-March 2022 2022 Participants Announced
7 & 8 May 2022 Studio Workshop (Sydney)
June 2022 (TBC) Digital Workshop (via Zoom)
16 & 17 July 2022 Studio Workshop (Sydney)
August 2022 (TBC) Digital Workshop (via Zoom)
3 & 4 September 2022 Studio Workshop (Sydney)
October 2022 (TBC) Digital Workshop (via Zoom)
7 & 8 November 2022 Final Rehearsals and Industry Showcase at
Sydney Opera House
* Dates may be subject to change. Final details will be communicated to successful participants.
The Commission
Participants will develop an original 10-min work for Omega Ensemble (clarinet,
violin, viola, cello and piano). Participants must write for the full ensemble and
not omit any instruments from their work. Live or pre-recorded electronic
aspects are permitted in consultation with the Ensemble.
Inclusions
• A $1,000 commission fee.
• Three weekend workshops in Sydney, three digital workshops with
international composers, an industry showcase performance at Sydney
Opera House.
• Flights (from nearest capital city) and accommodation in Sydney for
interstate participants.
• Recordings and documentation of work.
• Additional access to performances and networking opportunities.
67
Program Guidelines
The CoLAB: Composer Accelerator Program is suited to
young composers with highly developed compositional
skills, a strong artistic voice, and clear career ambitions.
Successful participants will thrive in an intensive
workshop environment, welcome challenging feedback
and new perspectives, and use the opportunity to take
bold new risks in their work.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• be between the ages of 21 and 35 on 1 January 2022;
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and reside in Australia
for the duration of the program;
• be able to confidently write for the full range of Ensemble
instruments;
• be able to produce professional scores and performance parts
(E.g. using Sibelius or Finale) of their works for rehearsals and
performance.
Formal tertiary qualifications are not essential, and applicants will also be
considered based on experience and/or other demonstrated ability.
Young women composers, as well as applicants from diverse cultural
backgrounds and those living in regional areas are encouraged to apply.
Application
Application is by online submission. Applicants will be required to:
• submit two (2) score examples of recent work. Examples can be for
any ensemble type or size.
• upload one (1) video or audio recording (max 2) of recent work.
The recording should match one of the scores submitted with
the application. A second recording may be of any other work.
Recordings do not need to be of studio quality.
8• list current experience, including previous or current study,
professional and non-professional experience, awards or scholarships
or participation in other programs;
• provide a letter of support (max 3) - this letter may speak to your current
experience, artistic strengths, or how you will benefit from the program
and can be written by any individual, group or organisation.
• respond to a short commission brief and explain how this program will
help you achieve your career goals.
Evaluation
Applicants will be evaluated in the following areas:
• Suitability for program based on previous experience;
• Demonstration of developed compositional skills and strong artistic voice;
• Merit of submitted scores and recordings; and
• Demonstration of professional career ambitions.
Applicants will be selected by a panel. The decision of the panel is final.
Shortlisted applicants may be asked to participate in a brief online interview to
confirm their suitability for the program.
Deadlines
Application deadline is 5:00pm (AEST), 1 February 2022. Late submissions will
not be accepted and we strongly recommend not waiting until the last minute
to submit your application.
COVID-Safe
All workshops, performances and other activities will adhere to the latest
government restrictions, protocols and health advice.
Access and Opportunity
We are committed to inclusion and opportunity for all participants. Those with
individual access needs are encouraged to apply, and, if your application is
successful, our team will contact you to discuss further.
More Information
If you need further information, email contact@omegaensemble.com.au or call
1300 670 050. Note: we cannot provide individual feedback on your application
before submitting.
9Testimonials
Angus Davison (2021 CoLAB Composer)
Omega Ensemble’s CoLAB Program should be a model for all composer development
programs. It differs from the majority of composer development programs, in which
workshopping opportunities are either more limited, occur only at the end of the
program, or both. CoLAB provides the kind of supportive environment and ongoing
mentoring through which great work is created and lasting connections are forged.
Chloe Sinclair (2021 CoLAB Composer)
Being a part of the inaugural CoLAB Program has been such a privilege. The
workshops and mentoring from different composers is such a unique feature of this
program. It has boosted my credibility as a young composer, and to put the CoLAB
Program on my CV has already opened doors for new composition work opportunities.
William Gardiner (2021 CoLAB Composer)
CoLAB is unique in that it allows composers and the ensemble the opportunity to
interact throughout the creative process, over numerous sessions and over a period
of months, rather than the usual situation of just a couple of rehearsals the week of the
concert. I think that this sort of interaction between performers and composers, which
is the norm in many other ways of making music, is tonic for the artform and needs to
be encouraged wherever possible.
Lauren McCormick (2021 CoLAB Composer)
As a young composer who is transitioning from the comforts of tertiary education
to the professional world, the CoLAB project is a unique opportunity for hands-on
experience through dedicated workshops (which we are able to run as we see fit) and
for our unique compositional processes to be honoured within the program itself. As
young composers from a diverse range of backgrounds, we can also learn just as much
from each other as we can from the professional mentors and the players themselves.
Alex Turley (2021 CoLAB Composer)
What’s special about this program is that there is so much time to try out ideas with the
ensemble, so there’s lots of room for trial and error. There is also ample opportunity for
mentorship from a range of established composers and to receive practical advice in a
nurturing environment. On top of this, one of the most rewarding outcomes has been
meeting the other composers in the program and seeing their works evolve from initial
sketches to polished products.
10FAQs
Do I need to have a qualification or formal your career in the application.
training to be part of the program?
I am based overseas. Can I apply?
No, a qualification or formal training is
Australian citizens and permanent residents
not required to be part of the program.
currently based overseas can apply if you
Demonstration of complimentary
intend to reside in Australia for the program
professional or non-professional experience
period and attend all workshops.
and/or participation in other programs will be
valued equally. Can I apply as a group or in partnership with
another individual?
I am based in a remote area or am unable to
travel for other reasons. Can I still apply? No, only individuals may apply for the
program.
Applicants based in remote areas or those
who are unable to travel for other reasons Do I need to compose a work before
are still encouraged to apply. Should applying for the program?
you be selected for the program, we will
No, this is not necessary and we encourage
consider additional options to support your
you to submit examples of previous
participation in the program.
work that highlight your ability. These
I won’t be available to participate in all example works do not need to match the
workshops. Can I still be part of the instrumentation of the commission in the
program? program.
Successful applicants must participate in all I already have a composition that would suit
workshops, including those held in Sydney this program. If selected can I workshop
and those conducted online. If you are that work with the Ensemble?
unsure of your availability, you may still apply,
No, if selected for this program you
however, should you be successful you will
must write a completely original work.
be asked to commit to all workshops to
Arrangements or adaptations of previous
accept your place in the program.
work can not be developed as part of this
I have received professional commissions program.
previously. Is this program suitable for me?
How do I find out more information?
This program is suited to composers with
If you need to ask further questions, please
highly-developed skills but with early
contact us at contact@omegaensemble.
career professional experience. Having
com.au or call 1300 670 050.
accepted commissions from professional
organisations in the past does not exclude
you from applying for this program. You will
be able to explain how this program will help
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