FWOpera's Pioneering New Works Showcase Frontiers Now Accepting Submissions

Fort Worth Opera (FWOpera) announced today a call for submissions for its third annual Frontiers new works showcase that will take place during the 2015 Fort Worth Opera Festival. Praised by critics as "one of the most significant musical events of the year," (D Magazine, 2013), the Frontiers programs aims to search out undiscovered 21st century operatic compositions, with an eye to identifying works for future presentation in FWOpera's alternative venue series, Opera Unbound. The 2015 Frontiers showcase will be chaired by FWOpera General Director Darren K. Woods and will feature an expanded jury of 17 conductors, producers, and artistic directors. This panel of distinguished industry leaders will specifically seek out chamber-sized works written for adult audiences, although larger works and works on other subjects will still be considered eligible for inclusion in the showcase.

Open to composers of the Americas (North America, South America, Central America, and all associated territories), Frontiers remains one of the few programs of its kind world-wide by providing an invaluable platform for up-and-coming composers and librettists to gain exposure for their works in a live performance environment, while also affording them networking opportunities with a multitude of industry professionals. Composer and librettist teams whose works are selected for inclusion in the 2015 showcase will be in residence during the 2015 Fort Worth Opera Festival. They will attend the showcase, participate in final dress rehearsals of their works, and engage in post-performance discussions with panelists and audience members. Additionally, the creative teams will receive feedback on their works during private meetings with Frontiers jury members and will be provided a recording of their operas to further assist them in the compositional process.

Interested and qualified candidates can obtain the submission information and address by contacting Frontiers Curator Kurt Howard at frontiers@fwopera.org. Only 15-25 minutes of a composition will be considered and all works must be submitted by 11:59 pm Saturday, May 31, 2014. Between six and eight compositions will be selected for participation in the 2015 Frontiers showcase.

It is the goal of FWOpera's pioneering Frontiers showcase to shine a light on the next generation of composers and librettists and to bring to life their works which represent the future of the operatic medium. Like last year, the 2015 Frontiers showcase will divide the selected works into two classifications: 1). those that have received public performances through workshop, conservatory, or university establishments but have you to receive a professional premiere, and 2). those works that have not received public performance of any kind.

The 2015 Frontiers panel has also been expanded to include new collaborative partners who will play a critical role in the long-term development of the Frontiers works to help ensure their future development. New panelists include Daniel Biaggi (Palm Beach Opera), Yuval Sharon (The Industry), Andreas Mitisek (Chicago Opera Theater/Long Beach Opera), Timothy Myers (North Carolina Opera). Returning panelists include Beth Morrision (Beth Morrison Projects), Charles Jarden (American Opera Projects), Ben Krywosz (Nautilus Music Theater), Kim Whitener (HERE), William Florescu (Florentine Opera), John Hoomes (Nashville Opera), and Robert Wood (UrbanArias), conductor Steven Osgood, Lawrence Edelson (American Lyric Theater), Darren K. Woods, (FWOpera General Director), Kurt Howard (FWOpera Producing Director and Frontiers Curator), Joe Illick (FWOpera Music Director), and Keith A. Wolfe (FWOpera Managing Director).

In announcing the third year of Frontiers, FWOpera Producing Director and Frontiers Curator Kurt Howard commented on the success of the program and its continual growth saying, "we are very pleased at the industry's response to our Frontiers program. Several of our first year selections have gone on into production with other companies, and we have forged close bonds with composers and librettists at the forefront of contemporary opera."

Composers from the Americas (citizens or residents of North, Central, and South America, as well as associated territories) are eligible and invited to submit a composition via an online portal that will guarantee blind submission. Excerpts should be between 15-25 minutes in length and must not have been presented publicly except for workshop or school presentations. While the works may ultimately consist of grand scale personnel or orchestral forces, submitted selections may only utilize up to six singers. Only those that can be performed with solo piano accompaniment will be considered for the showcase; no additional electronic, percussion, acoustic instrument, or other equipment may be used. A minimum of 15 minutes of the composition must be completed-although the selection does not need to be continuous-and can be in any language. Composers may only submit one work for the Frontiers 2015 showcase. Six to eight pieces will be selected and showcased. Composers and librettists must attend the rehearsal and showcase during the 2015 Festival (May 4 - 10, 2015). Lodging and round-trip travel will be provided. Works not selected will not be automatically reconsidered for future showcases, however, these works may be submitted again to the 2016 competition.

Frontiers 2015 Submission Information:

Applications must be submitted between February 5 and May 31, 2014.

Please contact Kurt Howard, Curator, at frontiers@fwopera.org for submission address and information. Only 15-25 minutes of a composition will be considered. Submissions must include: Synopsis of the entire composition; Libretto and Piano/Vocal score of the excerpts (in order within the piece); English translation if the work is in another language. All materials submitted must have the composer and librettist names removed to ensure anonymity during the panel review. A non-refundable entry fee of $20US is due upon submission. Fort Worth Opera retains the right to select fewer than six works for the showcase. More details are available at www.fwopera.org/frontiers.

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