Legacy Programs
Since it's inception, ACF Philadelphia has had an wide array of programs to help support composers at various points in their careers. Our current support program is built around the concept of composer residencies with Philadelphia institutions like Village of Arts of Humanities, Mural Arts Philadelphia and The Society Hill Synagogue and pairing composers with world renowned musicians like Marilyn Nonken, Nicholas Isherwood and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Through these residencies composers work with individuals and institutions to further their own work as well as make life long connections with new communities and audiences.
Get in touch with the Chapter Director if you have an idea for a Composer Residency.
SUBITO
Subito grants provided critical funding to composers for creative projects that can help them grow artistically and professionally. Grants ranged from $500 to $3,000 and can be used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to: performer fees; recording fees; concert expenses (ex. performer fees, venue rental); travel expenses associated with the production of new music; and score production (ex. arranging, engraving, copying/printing costs). Requests for equipment (software, hardware, computers, or musical instruments) will not be accepted.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Community Partners grants support composer residencies with a wide range of community, cultural and educational organizations. The residencies challenge composers to create and perform new works that respond to the heritage, culture, and interests of the community, while engaging communities in the creative process of composition. The “community partner” in the project could range from a neighborhood organization/club to public or private school to a community center or religious congregation to an arts and culture organization. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach “underserved” or “non-traditional” audiences for new music.
New Voices
ACF Philadelphia hosted New Voices, its composer development program, since 2001. New Voices offered emerging composers of any age the opportunity to have new works rehearsed, performed, and recorded by professional performing ensembles. Composers are selected through a competitive application process. Past partners include: Argento Chamber Ensemble, the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, Dolce Suono Chamber Music Concert Series, International Opera Theater, Network for New Music, and Relâche Ensemble.
Composers selected for the New Voices program will be given the opportunity to have multiple rehearsals with the participating ensemble and receive direct feedback from the musicians. The atmosphere fostered in the rehearsal sessions is one of collaboration and mentorship. Composers are free to ask questions about their music on everything from notation concerns to technical aspects of writing for a specific instrument to aesthetics of the composition. Both the ensemble and the composer are encouraged to explore new possibilities in a mutual goal: to create the best presentation of a new work.
SoundExchange
SoundExchange brings internationally respected composers and performers from around the world representing distinct stylistic schools to Philadelphia for educational programs (master classes, workshops) and public performances. Both composers and the public engage with a featured guest artist as well as additional guest artists and performers in the exploration of a given theme.
New Music Philadelphia
NMP is ACF Philadelphia's internet platform for showcasing ACF member and grantee works as well as Chapter-produced programming such as the local composer interview program OPUS 101, hosted by radio legend Gene Shay.
You can now find the music of Philadelphia composers on our Soundcloud page.
Composer to Composer
Composer to Composer connected ACF Philadelphia members with composers whose music is being featured by local performing ensembles. The events include an open rehearsal and a Q&A session with the composer.
Past ensembles and composers included: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Other/No Ensemble, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Dolce Suono Society, Orchestra 2001 (with George Crumb) and Group Motion Dance Theater.
Young Composers Scholarship
ACF awarded annually in the amount of $500 to one high school senior who intends to major in music composition at the post-secondary level.