2026
Call for scores
Our 2025-2026 Call for Scores is now open!
Selections from our Call for Scores will be performed on our concerts in Winter 2026: Extractions, March 14 & 15.
Stare at the Sun has premiered works by Ted Hearne, Lansing McLoskey, Alex Berko, Alissa Voth, Matthew Recio, and Nicholas Cline, and has curated works by Evelin Seppar, Ted Hearne, David Lang, Caroline Shaw, Per Nørgård, Karin Rehnqvist, Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, Tõnu Kõrvits, Edie Hill, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Hans Abrahamsen, Missy Mazzoli, Judith Bingham, Judith Weir, Arvo Pärt, Kevin Puts, Eric Whitacre, Joanne Metcalf, Pawel Łukaszewski, Gabriel Jackson, Kile Smith, and Michael Gilbertson.
Selected Composers will Receive:
Performances of the complete work on March 14 & 15, 2026
A professional audiovisual recording of the live concert performance
An in-person workshop of the piece on January 17, 2026
Submissions must be received by Monday, December 15, 12:00 NOON (CST) to be considered.
Composers may only submit ONE SCORE for this competition.
Score Submission Requirements:
Though a brand new work is not necessary, preference will be given to submitted scores that have not yet received a public performance or workshop.
Submissions will be accepted from composers based in the U.S. or internationally
SATB works, with up to eight-part divisi (SSAATTBB), a cappella
The work must be approximately 5-10 minutes in duration.
Scores must be engraved on Sibelius, Finale, or similar music notation software. A recording or MIDI rendering of the score is appreciated, but not required.
Texts must be in the public domain or used with documented permission of the copyright holder.
If you have questions, email us: stareatthesun.music@gmail.com
Results of the Call for Scores will be announced by January 1, 2026.