Artwork by Robert S. Duncanson

Deadline: March 1, 2022 (11:59 pm EDT)

Application Fee: $25

Deus Ex Musica is pleased to announce a competition for a new work to be premiered and filmed in Boston by award-winning violists Jordan Bak (Grand Prize winner, 2019 Concert Artist Guild competition), Peter Slowik (Faculty, Oberlin), and Daniel Orsen (St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.) One composer will be selected to write a new 4-5 minute unaccompanied viola piece inspired by one of the Biblical psalms.  This new piece will join contributions written by a diverse group of Christian composers representing a wide variety of traditions including JAC Redford, Carlos Carillo, Caroline Kyunga Ahn, Maria Thompson Corley, David Biedenbender, Josh Rodriguez, Christian Paterniti, and others.

The premiere will occur in the fall of 2022 at an ecumenical event combining live performance with discussion about faith, Scripture, and the arts. Attendance at the concert is warmly encouraged, but not required.

The video recording of the event will become part of Deus Ex Musica’s selection of online resources intended to promote Christian unity through discussion about Scripture. In addition, DEM will promote the pieces as part of our series of live events presented in collaboration with churches, seminaries, and other religious institutions around the world. Since 2020, works premiered by Deus Ex Musica have been presented in collaborative events in Moscow, London, Toronto, and Boston.

Information for Applicants: 

Deus Ex Musica is a new ecumenical organization that promotes sacred music from the Christian tradition as a resource for learning and spiritual growth.  Part of our mission is to provide opportunities for collaboration and fellowship between Christian composers and performers. For more information about our vision, please visit our ABOUT page.

Deus Ex Musica recognizes that extraordinary sacred music has been (and continues to be) written by composers from all faiths - and none. However, since our mission is to provide opportunities for our collaborators and audiences to share and discuss the intersections between music and their own faith, we ask only composers who self-identify as practicing Christians to apply. Questions may be sent to Deus Ex Musica founder Delvyn Case.

Deus Ex Musica is committed to anti-racist work through intentional examination of the ways our participation in societal structures and individual biases to perpetuate inequality. As an organization that seeks to embody Christ’s radical love and acceptance of all, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexuality, or gender identity.

Application Process:

Composers should submit a pdf score of one solo or chamber work that demonstrates skill in writing for strings. The work does not need to be sacred. A recording is not necessary, but an audio reference (live or midi) is recommended.

Application Fee: 

We ask applicants to support this project by providing a $25 donation. Composers for whom this fee presents an obstacle may submit a smaller donation, no questions asked.  

Judges:

The winner will be chosen by a committee made up of members of the Deus Ex Musica leadership team, based on the merit and creativity of each composer’s submitted work. The committee reserves the right to select no winner.

Timeline:

Applications Due: March 1, 2022.

Winner Announced: March 15, 2020

New Work finished: August 1, 2022

Premiere & Video Recording: Fall 2022 (date TBA)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• STEP 1: Fill out the form below:

To complete your submission:

• STEP 2: Visit the website of our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, to make your $25 donation.

• STEP 3: Take a screenshot of your confirmation page.

• STEP 4: Send an email to us including the pdf of your score and your screenshot as attachments.

Thank you!