AS COMPOSERS
We center the voices of African diasporic creatives and passionately perform, commission, and collaborate with Black composers (check out our Repertoire page to learn more!). As a composer, here are just a few ways we have, and continue to, support your work!
Call for Scores/Proposals
Over the seasons, we’ve held rolling calls for scores and themed calls for proposals for art songs inspired by the words of Black writers, works for string instruments based on visual art by Black creatives, and mixed chamber ensemble pieces inspired by African-American quilting traditions.
Our next call will be for vocal works inspired by the theme of Black Declaration of Independence. July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To invite reflection on what this sesquicentennial means and the complicated history, present tense and future of the United States, we welcome composers of the African diaspora to submit proposals for vocal chamber works inspired by the theme of Black Declaration of Independence by February 28th, 2025, 11:59pm.
#Black Composer Miniature Project
As a way to inspire, create, and connect during the global COVID-19 lockdown, we challenged composers who identified as being Black or part of the African Diaspora to compose 30 to 60-second miniatures; initially for viola and/or piano and later for flute and/or harp, cello and/or soprano voice, and finally saxophone plus dance!
From 2020 to 2024, over 60 creatives ranging from 8-80+ years old from the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and numerous African countries responded to the call! Learn more about the four #BCMC projects below:
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Commissions
To date, we have commissioned over 15 chamber music works by composers including Allison Loggins-Hull, Reneé C. Baker, and Anthony R. Green; and have presented countless world premieres. Interested in collaborating? Fill out our Artist Collaborators form below