Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025 at 4PM
Notification by: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, in collaboration with the Ontario Region of the Canadian Music Centre, is seeking applicants for the Composer Fellowship Program for the 25-26 Season. The HPO’s Composer Fellowship program is a tuition-free training opportunity aimed at connecting early-career composers with professionals in the orchestral world to nurture and develop new skills through mentorship and the creation of a new work.
We are currently seeking two fellows for the 25-26 Season. The program includes valuable mentorship led by HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte in conjunction with Music Director James Kahane, musicians and administrative staff.
Composer Fellows will write a 5-6 minute orchestral work to be premiered by the HPO and will receive an archival recording. The HPO will offer an honorarium in support of the new work and travel expenses. Composer Fellows will experience a typical professional situation with standard rehearsal time (not to be confused with a reading session or workshop). This year-long mentorship program with a significant commitment beyond the commission with Composer Fellows gaining exposure to how a professional orchestra functions including administration and production. In addition to attending rehearsals and concerts, composers engage in public speaking, audience engagement, education and other activities. The positions also include instruction on orchestral protocols, library expectations and editing of scores/parts. There is flexibility in the program to accommodate skills and interests.
It is highly encouraged that applicants are close enough to travel to Hamilton (by car or public transit) to take full advantage of the opportunities offered in the program.
Eligibility
This is a training program for emerging composers on the edge of a professional career who seek real world mentorship and experiences. There will be assigned tasks, expectations and time commitment. This program is not intended for composers who have substantial orchestral experience or those interested solely in a commission.
The HPO recognizes our role in the development of future generations of orchestral musicians, conductors and composers, and acknowledges inequalities in access to training and development opportunities. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds may grow personally and professionally.
Composers and artists who identify with communities which have been marginalized within orchestra music education and the wider industry are invited and encouraged to consult with program organizers in order to support the preparation of application materials.
25-26 Composer Fellowship (2 Positions)
We are seeking two fellows, one aged 25 or younger and one aged 26 or older. The younger composer will write a new work for our Intimate & Immersive series and receive a $3,000 honorarium. The older fellow will write a new piece for our mainstage series and receive a $4,000 honorarium.
Requirements
- Completed application form
- Brief Biography and CV (PDF, 2 pages max.)
- Two 2-minute excerpts. Please provide a link to streaming audio and scores in PDF format with title pages and excerpted portions only.
- Please try to match chosen excerpts to the project: please submit at least one large ensemble or orchestral work.
- MIDI is only acceptable for one work if necessary.
- A short, written statement outlining your interests in the program, and the ideas you would like to explore in a new piece for this program.
Due to the HPO concert schedule, the Composer Fellows should be available for most of the following dates (please comment if unavailable) in addition to five flexible days TBD. The Canadian Music Centre will highlight the Composer Fellow through the CMC website.
Please contact Joseph Glaser (joseph.glaser@cmccanada.org) for application support or communications@hpo.org with specific program questions.
25-26 Composer Fellow Dates
Due to the HPO concert schedule, the Composer Fellows should be available for most of the following dates in addition to five flexible days TBD.
- Friday, September 19/Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Friday, October 17/Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Friday, November 7/Saturday, November 8, 2025
- Friday, December 12/Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Friday, January 16/Saturday, January 17, 2025
- Friday, February 13/Saturday, February 14, 2025
- Friday, March 20/Saturday, March 21, 2025
- Friday, April 17/Saturday, April 18, 2025
- Friday, May 1/Saturday, May 2, 2025