VOICES OF THE NEW

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

First round deadline: January 7, 2022

Voices of Ascension, NYC’s Grammy-nominated professional choral organization, seeks project partners for developing chamber works that explore new horizons in vocal ensemble music. We invite proposals from composers, creators, curators, musicians, and artists from other disciplines for singer-driven, innovative pieces that incorporate blended voices in new contexts, rethinking classical choral music and chamber music across multiple genres, art forms, and media.

Projects may involve new compositions, or existing music from any time period presented in a fresh way. The goal is to create compelling performances that expand the field of vocal ensemble music, and invite audiences to experience professional singing in an innovative context. Voices of Ascension is committed to presenting works that reflect the diversity of today’s world, issues and concerns.

The first-round deadline for proposals for Voices of The New projects is January 7, 2022.

The second round will involve meetings between the finalists and Voices of Ascension to discuss project details and budget. Projects that are selected will be nurtured with administrative, marketing, and creative support (including Voices of Ascension singers, if needed), and produced or co-produced by Voices of Ascension for a premiere performance in New York City. Voices of Ascension will provide project support ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, with most in the $10,000-$20,000 range. Partners who are able to bring additional funding may propose projects with larger budgets.

Entries will be evaluated based on artistic merit, creative excellence, newness and innovation, audience impact, potential for future performances, feasibility, and how they reflect and expand on the Voices of Ascension mission and brand.

Selected projects will be presented during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons as part of Voices of Ascension’s Voices of The New program.

Bring your questions to a Voices of The New informational Zoom on Tuesday, December 14 at 6:30 PM Eastern. To join the zoom, use this link. To add this zoom to your google calendar click here. Or add it your calendar manually using the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87918619340?pwd=bVR1QWdjT3h5aUg3c3E3UVBWNW1qZz09.

For more information, contact Wesley Chinn: wchinn@voicesofascension.org

Please complete the online application. Deadline January 7, 2022.

ABOUT VOICES OF ASCENSION CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA

Voices of Ascension, founded in 1990 and directed by conductor Dennis Keene, presents exceptional performances of great works of music for chorus and orchestra. It sustains a vibrant artistic community of professional vocal and instrumental musicians in New York City through a broad repertory, dynamic programming, and strategic collaborations across the tri-state area. Recent performances by the Grammy- nominated ensemble have been described as “richly colored, impressive, and beautifully balanced” (Wall Street Journal) and “inspired” (New York Times).

Voices of Ascension’s Voices of the New launched with the online premiere of Astronautica: Voices of Women in Space in January 2021, featuring words of women astronauts set to music by women composers, and performed by Trio Triumphatrix, interwoven with NASA video imagery. Astronautica received its live theatrical premiere in October 2021 at Symphony Space’s Leonard Nimoy Thalia. Voices of The New continues in Spring 2022 with the world premiere of Will Healy’s Orbits, commissioned by Voices of Ascension and performed by ShoutHouse, rhythmic poet spiritchild, and singers from Voices of Ascension.

Learn more about Voices of The New: www.voicesofascension.org/voices-of-the-new