About

Click HERE to Apply

First launched in 2017-18, the BMP: Next Gen was created to empower and inspire the next wave of visionary composers, singers, and artists. By bridging the gap between academic study and professional artistry, this program nurtures emerging talents, offering them the platform and resources they need to revolutionize opera and music-theatre.

OVERVIEW

Applicants are invited to submit vocal works up to 10 minutes in length.

From the initial pool of applicants, 10 first-round semi-finalists will be selected to participate in a weekend of live performances at NYC’s National Sawdust on November 23 and 24, 2024 — their vocal works will also be produced by BMP. Two finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals to win commissions for 30-minute vocal-theater works for Cycle 3 of the competition, which will be held in 2025. The winner will receive a commission for an evening-length vocal-theater work, including the development and World Premiere production of their composition.

“We at BMP are always in search of the newest generation of voices in composition of opera theater,” said BMP’s President and Creative Producer Beth Morrison on the call for applications, according to Broadway World. “Next Gen is our effort to connect with these most brilliant young minds. I cannot wait to review the incredible amount of creative, provocative, and genre defying works we have received in previous years. Reviewing these materials has and continues to assure me we are living in a new golden age of contemporary opera-theatre.”

ELIGIBILITY

• Composers must be still in school or within four years of graduating from any degree-granting program (undergraduate, master, or PhD).
• Composers must be either US Citizens, Permanent Residents, or currently matriculating on a student visa.
• Composers must not have previously been commissioned by a US Opera Company.
• Composers must be available in New York City for rehearsals and the two performances, Nov 21-24. Beth Morrison Projects will provide travel and housing to those selected who live outside of the greater New York area.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• The composer must complete the application (link below) including: a letter of recommendation, a bio, a full score of the work, libretto of the work, and recording of the work.
• The submitted work must be a vocal work, either a stand-alone song or an aria or other vocal piece from a larger work.
• Electronics and amplified voices are fine
• The work must be no longer than 10 minutes
• The work must have no more than 8 singers and 10 instrumentalists
• The work must have been written within the last 5 years.
• We will accept live or midi recordings (live recording strongly preferred) in online form (Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, etc).
• The Composer must have proof that all underlying rights to the work are secured, if applicable.
• Submissions are due by 11:59 pm EST on September 9, 2024

ABOUT BETH MORRISON PROJECTS

Founded in 2006 to support the work of living composers and their collaborators, BMP has featured at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Disney Hall, The Barbican, Lincoln Center, The Walker Art Center, The Beijing Music Festival, The Holland Festival, and more. Current and upcoming projects include works by composers Mohammed Fairouz, Michael Gordon, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Elvis Perkins, Paola Prestini, Ellen Reid, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Jeremy Schonfeld, and more.

Support

Produced by Beth Morrison Projects. Presented by Beth Morrison Projects and National Sawdust. BMP: Next Gen was part of the New York Opera Festival.BMP: Next Gen, Round 1 was made possible through commissioning and underwriting support from Elizabeth & Justus Schlichting. Additional support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts- Art Works. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.