Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Nominations for the professional development program MODART 13 are now open - deadline for submissions is 5 pm on Monday 1 October 2012.

MODART is The Song Company's biennial young composer forum, actively supported by the Australian Music Centre and ABC Classic FM. The project gives young composers the opportunity to develop new vocal work in close collaboration with the singers of the ensemble and their director, Roland Peelman.

It is envisaged that five emerging composers from Australia will be selected to participate, to be joined by three emerging composers from overseas (from China, Malaysia and New Zealand respectively) in the three stages of the project during 2013.

The Song Company is recognised as one of the most innovative vocal ensembles around the world, winner of the 2008 Myer Performing Arts Award and consistently acclaimed for its virtuosity, versatility, innovative programming and breath of repertoire. The opportunity to collaborate with the ensemble delivers new insight in the possibilities of the human voice, vocal texture, word-music relationship and the dynamics of a positive collaborative process.

MODART is widely regarded as a model young composers' forum. The last two editions (2009 and 2011) formed the basis of post-doctoral academic research by Professor Margaret Barrett from the University of Queensland. A long list of outstanding young composers have been part of the project since its inception in 2003. (For more information, please see the MODART subpage.)

What to submit

Emerging composers should submit a proposal, including:

• 100-word description of an idea for a new vocal a cappella work of 5 to 8 minutes duration (please note that a ready-made choral work is not considered suitable)
• An example of an existing score or work in any genre, form, instrumentation or arrangement, preferably recent and representative of current work
• One-page biography and photograph

Applicants need to be under the age of 32 and are advised to attend a Song Company performance or visit the website www.songcompany.com.au.

About the process

The MODART13 process will involve three stages:

1) Three to four days of initial workshops in Sydney - early to mid-February 2013
2) An education component in collaboration with MLC School Burwood during late July 2013
3) Final week of rehearsals and public performance recorded by ABC Classic FM

All selected composers have to be available to attend the first stage of development in Sydney and attend as much as possible of the final process.

Deadline and further information

Your submission can be emailed to . Deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 1 October 2012. Candidates will be selected by a small panel, and selection will be announced by 1 November.

For further information, contact Philippa Horn at the Australian Music Centre, tel. (02) 9247 4677.

Further links

MODART - AMC Online (information about past programs, links to blog articles by participants)
The Song Company - www.songcompany.com.au