Nashville Symphony Accepting Submissions for 
2019 Composer Lab & Workshop

Led by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero and Workshop Director Aaron Jay Kernis, program seeks to discover the next generation of great American composers

Nashville, TN/New York, NY (January 29, 2019) – The Nashville Symphony is now accepting submissions for the third round of its Composer Lab & Workshop. The Nashville Symphony Composer Lab & Workshop is an opportunity for young composers to hear their music performed by the Nashville Symphony, receive mentoring and feedback from orchestra professionals, and potentially earn a performance of their work on a future Nashville Symphony program.
 
The Composer Lab & Workshop was developed and guided by Nashville Symphony Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis, who serves as Workshop Director. The program seeks to discover the next generation of outstanding American composers by providing them with the opportunity to develop their talents, gain hands-on experience working with a major American orchestra, and showcase their work for a live audience. The Lab & Workshop is a natural outgrowth of the Nashville Symphony’s longstanding commitment to promoting and cultivating American music.
   

“This program is an important part of the Symphony’s long-standing commitment to promote the creation of new, forward-thinking American music,” says Giancarlo Guerrero. “Each of these gifted artists represents the vibrancy and diversity of our country today, and each is helping to shape the sound of orchestral music in the 21st century. We’re so thrilled to welcome them to Nashville and to help them take the next step in their careers.”
 
“Giancarlo Guerrero and the orchestra’s ongoing dedication to and passion for new American orchestral music has been steadfast," says Kernis, "and is reflected in their dynamic programming and award-winning recordings. This effort to shine a light on the next generation of composers takes their commitment to the next bold level, engaging with musical creativity in America by going to its most compelling source. The program will hone young artists’ skills in writing for the most complex and glorious instrument I know: the orchestra." 
 
During their visit, Composer Lab fellows participate in a hands-on learning experience with workshop sessions covering key aspects of composing, performing and music industry practices, including: 

• Reading sessions with the Nashville Symphony
• Individual mentoring sessions with Giancarlo Guerrero and Aaron Jay Kernis
• Meetings with composers and other classical music professionals
• Group meetings with Nashville Symphony musicians to sharpen instrumental writing
• A “Business Essentials for Composers” briefing, covering copyrights, licenses, contracts and negotiations, commissions and publishing.

The Composer Lab & Workshop is open to composers ages 18-35 who are U.S. citizens or non-citizens lawfully and permanently residing, or studying full-time, in the United States and have not been selected as past participants of the Nashville Symphony Composer Lab & Workshop.

Submissions must be received by Friday, March 9th, 2019. A panel of adjudicators will evaluate all submissions and announce the 2019 class of Nashville Symphony Composer Lab fellows by April 19, 2019.

Fellows will visit Nashville September 3-5, 2019, to attend the Composer Lab & Workshop. During their stay in Nashville, participants will have the opportunity to meet with Nashville Symphony staff, conductors, principal players, community partners and music industry professionals. Fellows will also receive mentoring from Workshop Director Aaron Jay Kernis. One or more works may be chosen from the Composer Lab & Workshop to be performed on a future Nashville Symphony program. 

More information on the Nashville Symphony’s Composer Lab & Workshop, including a full listing of submission guidelines and eligibility requirements, and a list of previous 2015 and 2017 Composer Lab fellows is available at NashvilleSymphony.org//about/ComposerLab

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