Call for proposals 2022
“Will and soul”
Loop38 is seeking a collaborative composer to create a new musical work to be premiered at the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, in May 2023.
Entitled “Will and Soul,” this concert celebrates humanity’s inherent creativity, power, and will to thrive as we face life’s challenges. The new work will involve a three-way collaboration between the selected composer, Loop38, and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, a Houston-based writer and performer and Houston’s first Black Poet Laureate. Ms. Mouton is creating a literary work to be paired with the musical commission; her text will draw upon the theme of the program, the ethos of the Rothko Chapel, and the idea of our shared humanity.
We are looking forward to getting to know each of you and your works! There is no fee to apply.
Update (September 22, 2022): In response to several inquiries and some additional research, Loop38 will consider proposals from international applicants on a case-by-case basis. Please see below for more information.
The 2022 application is now closed!
If you missed us this time, please consider joining our mailing list so you’re the first to know about future opportunities.
Award
$2000 award, plus $500 travel stipend to attend the premiere on May 4, 2023, in Houston, Texas
Premiere in May 2023 and high-quality video recording to be released later
Engraving support by Loop38 member with professional experience, if interested
Timeline
September 26, 2022 – Application Deadline
October 18, 2022 – Composer Notification
February 1, 2023 – Text Completed
March 1, 2023 – Production Check-in
April 1, 2023 – Score and Parts Due
May 4, 2023 – Premiere Performance
We are looking for a composer who…
Has a strong connection to the ethos of the Rothko Chapel and to the concert’s theme
Has a clear vision for how they will approach the collaboration that can be accomplished during the established timeframe (below)
Has a compelling musical voice
Is excited to collaborate with Ms. Mouton and Loop38 to develop the concept of the commission
Can participate in the project as described below under "Scope of Work" and is currently eligible to work in the US; international applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis at Loop38's discretion
Each of these considerations will be demonstrated through the responses in the Call for Proposal (CFP) and evaluated by a committee assembled by Loop38 including outside adjudicators. We encourage composers from all backgrounds to apply; there are no restrictions to the CFP based on age, career status, race, religious affiliation, political leaning, gender identity, or geographical background.
Scope of Work
Collaborate with Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and Loop38 on the creation of the work, including setting mutually agreeable dates for collaboration and check-in points between October 18, 2022, and April 1, 2023
Participate in at least one virtual, public-facing event in collaboration with Loop38 and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, scheduled at a mutually agreeable time during Fall 2022
Work with Loop38 members to establish mutually agreeable timeframe for engraving work, if interested
Preview the draft score for production review by March 1, 2023 (the score does not need to be complete by this point)
Provide agreed-upon support for event promotion (e.g., bio, headshot, website and social media links, promotional videos)
Deliver scores and parts to Loop38 by April 1, 2023
Attend the premiere performance at the Rothko Chapel on May 4, 2023, and participate in agreed-upon community events tied to the premiere
Parameters for the Commission
We have created flexibility in the commission's parameters to allow each composer the freedom to propose a scope of work that resonates with their compositional voice and their vision for the project. Please articulate the specific parameters that will guide you in your proposal so that we understand what you envision for the project and what you think is reasonable to complete in the given time frame. Please see the FAQ for more information on these parameters.
Length: Not to exceed 18 minutes
Number of Musicians: Soloist through large ensemble
Instrumentation: May include any combination or subset of the following:
Brass – trumpet, trombone, horn
Woodwinds – flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
Strings – violin (2), viola, cello, double bass
Other – piano, harp, and percussion (mutually agreed upon)
Text Incorporation: The musical work is to be developed in tandem with Ms. Mouton’s literary work, which will be completed by February 1, 2023. The music may or may not incorporate the text explicitly.
Collaborators:
Loop38 (performers)
Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton (writer)
Rothko Chapel (host)
Questions
We want everyone to feel like they fully understand the nature of this Call for Proposals. We have included an FAQ in hopes of adding context to the proposal. We will update the FAQ as questions are raised in advance of the deadline. Please reach out to us at newmusic@loop38.org with any questions that you may have.
Application
Please apply using the Google Form linked below. There is no fee to apply.
Composer Profile
Contact Information (Name, Address, Email, and Phone)
Brief bio (up to ~125 words)
Link to website (and/or other web presence as applicable)
Proposal
Please do not feel restricted in making your proposal. We are interested in your unique vision and will do what we can to make it possible if selected.
Please describe your personal connection to the themes of the concert and the ethos of the Rothko Chapel. This description could include how you personally relate to them, their relevance in current culture, or anything else you find compelling. (up to ~150 words)
Please describe your vision for your piece. This should include the work’s overall concept, length, size of ensemble, specific instrumentation, potential relationship to Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton’s text, and how your work connects to the ethos of the Rothko Chapel. Include anything you think is relevant to how we or the audience will experience the work. This may (but does not have to) include personal or biographical details. (up to ~300 words)
Work Samples
Please provide a total of 6–8 minutes of music that represents your compositional voice
Your work samples can come from one or more works
Identify at least 2–3 excerpts that demonstrate contrasting styles
Provide scores and corresponding audio or video recordings with measure numbers and specific timestamps to guide the review committee
Brief description of why you selected these work samples (up to ~100 words)
The 2022 application is now closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a winning proposal look like?
We have created the flexibility within the Call for Proposals so that each composer can define their vision for a work tied to the Chapel on their own terms. Therefore, there is no set winning formula. We are creating a review process and assembling a committee that will include members of Loop38, Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton, and diverse community voices so that the proposals can be evaluated on how they speak both to a group of musicians and to the community at large. We hope that this project explores how to bring people together and unite communities.
Who is Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and what is her connection with Loop38?
Some members of the ensemble have known her and her work for several years, but we had the pleasure of working with her as an ensemble when we were both selected as part of the Houston Commissioning Project by Performing Arts Houston in 2021. We discussed plans for a future collaboration and thought this program would be a great opportunity to work together on a project that combines words, music, and the ethos of the Rothko Chapel. Learn more at her website.
What will the collaboration with Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and Loop38 be like?
Excellent question! We are trying to keep this collaboration non-prescriptive to encourage its natural development based on the individual personalities involved. We encourage you to discuss your hopes or expectations for the collaboration as part of your vision.
How do we know how to incorporate a text that we haven’t seen yet?
Another excellent question! We hope that your vision for the work and your connection with the ethos of the Rothko Chapel will affect the creation of the text and vice versa. After announcing the proposal that is selected for the project, we will bring all the collaborators together to create a shared vision and time frame for the work. We want the artistic team to work together towards the premiere performance.
In your proposal, we encourage you to discuss any preferences you have for how you would approach incorporating text from Ms. Mouton’s literary work in your musical commission. We recognize that because these works are being created at the same time, a full setting of the text may be impractical. We are open to exploring any number of options, including but not limited to:
A recitation of the literary work immediately before or after the performance of the music
Inclusion of the full text in the program to accompany a fully instrumental work
A vocal part that sets some or all of the literary commission
A narrator that recites some or all of the literary commission
What other music will be on the program at the Rothko Chapel?
While we reserve the right to make changes to the program for “Will and Soul,” it currently includes:
Oceans in Oceans by Carolyn Chen
The Will to Adorn by George Lewis
We hope that each proposal will fit within the overall theme of the program and connect with the ethos of the Rothko Chapel.
Why are the parameters (length, size of the ensemble, and instrumentation) for the commission so open/flexible?
We are interested in leaving these artistic decisions to each composer to determine what is most appropriate for their vision, their musical style, and what is reasonable to accomplish in the given timeframe of this project, which we realize is a relatively quick turnaround. The review process will not prioritize longer works over shorter works or works for more musicians over those with fewer musicians. We want you to determine the parameters that you are most compelled by. We understand that the timeline may limit the scope of work and do not want anyone to feel like they need to “go big” to have their proposal stand out. We want to know that you feel comfortable with your ability to accomplish the specific scope of your proposal within the given timeline.
Can I propose things outside of the parameters that you outlined?
Yes! We don’t want to restrict anyone’s vision. However, we also must plan and operate within certain limitations. Please feel free to propose ideas, knowing that we may not be able to accommodate suggestions outside of the outlined scope of work. Are you interested in adding electronics, a dancer, tabla, melodica, celesta, or any number of other elements? Go ahead and propose them! We are available to answer questions in advance and can ask follow-up questions as needed.
How should I select my work samples? What are you looking for and what should I include in the descriptions?
The work samples should demonstrate work that you are most proud of and represent your compositional voice, so that we have a sense of what you will bring to the collaboration. We hope this gives you the flexibility to demonstrate your compositional style as you find most appropriate. You may choose a longer excerpt to demonstrate more formal construction or several shorter excerpts to demonstrate different musical textures. You are free to choose what best represents you within the constraint that they are 6–8 minutes in total length and that they demonstrate contrasting music.
How will the travel stipend work?
We are including a $500 travel stipend so that you can travel to Houston for the dress rehearsal and the premiere. This is an all-inclusive stipend and is meant to allow you the flexibility to decide how to travel and where to stay.
What kind of engraving support is available from Loop38?
We realize that composing and engraving scores and parts are two separate activities and that many composers have different preferences surrounding how they engrave their music. While we are unable to offer additional financial considerations for engraving separate from the award, some members of Loop38 have done professional engraving projects before and are willing to discuss how they can help support this part of the process in a mutually agreed upon manner.
How inclusive is this Call for Proposals?
We want this Call for Proposals to be open and inclusive of composers from all backgrounds, regardless of age, career status, race, religious affiliation, political leaning, gender identity, or geographical background. The only limitation is that you must be legally eligible to work in the US, though we will consider international applicants on a case-by-case basis at our discretion. We encourage international applicants to apply, providing information that will be relevant to determine the feasibility of the project, such as your nationality, the country where you will be living during the scope of the project, any US visas you may already have, and any other details you believe will help us determine the feasibility of your proposal. Our goal is to create an open call, bur please keep in mind that there are several legal and logistical issues that we must also consider.
You may email us at newmusic@loop38.org to ask questions about your specific situation, understanding that we may not be able to help everyone in advance of the deadline. We encourage you to apply regardless and will do everything in our power to make a final determination in a timely manner.
What kind of composer are you looking for?
We are open to a wide variety of musical styles, aesthetics, and influences, and would encourage anyone to apply! It is worth noting that as a contemporary music ensemble, we are classically trained musicians who come from a particular background. If you would like to know more about who we are, please feel free to explore our previous events and our story. We are looking to expand and build upon this body of work through this Call for Proposals.
