The Society of Composers, Inc. is pleased to announce a call for works for Volume 35 of the Society of Composers, Inc. CD Series. The winners of this call will be featured on our SCI CD Series, released by Navona Records, a label under PARMA Recordings. To see an archive of past SCI CDs, please visit: https://wp.societyofcomposers.org/publications/composers-cd-series/. For a more detailed look at a recent release, see NAVONA’s page: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6318/.

Deadline: June 30, 2021, 11:59 pm EST.

Prize: Inclusion on Volume 35 of the SCI CD Series, professionally released by PARMA Records.

Fee: None to Enter.

*Winning composers must pay production costs of $90 per minute for music selected.

Submission Guidelines

All submissions must be made at http://www.newmusicengine.org/. Submissions sent via email, post, or other methods will not be considered.

Only current members of SCI are eligible to apply. To become a member of SCI, visit: https://wp.societyofcomposers.org/membership/join-or-renew/.

Composers may submit one composition for consideration. This work may be for any instrumentation, for any number of performers, in any style, and in any media including electroacoustic. Composers whose works have been included in the previous five volumes of the CD are ineligible to apply.

All submitted recordings and scores must be ANONYMOUS. Any element that may reveal the composer must be removed. This includes composer’s name from all pages (front matter and copyright included), dedications, catalogue information, and file names.

Multi-movement works must include all movements in a single audio file. For submissions, accepted audio formats include .aif, .wav. and .mp3.

Selected composers will need to provide hi-resolution audio files upon acceptance. Submissions lacking the proper audio attachment will not be considered. There will not be an additional recording session for selected works. Therefore, both the quality of the audio recording as well as its compositional merit will be considered in the selection process.

Submitting a score is optional but preferred. Any score submissions must be uploaded a single, ANONYMOUS .pdf document containing the entirety of the score. Multi-movement works must include all movements in a SINGLE .pdf file.

MIDI realizations of acoustic works are NOT acceptable. Remember, the winning selections for the CD will be chosen based on both their musical content and the quality of the recording.

In the “Bio(s)” text field, please include the composer’s biographical sketch, limited to 200 words.

A panel of professional composers will judge each anonymous entry independently. The resulting scores will be tabulated with the highest scoring works selected for inclusion. Submitting composers will be notified of the panel’s decision by the end of the summer.

Any questions can be directed to SCI Submissions Coordinator Chin-ting Chan: chintingchan@gmail.com.

FAQ

Q. Why should I submit to the CD Series as opposed to self-pressing a CD or releasing electronically?

A. The CD Series is a peer-reviewed submission and not a “vanity” project. This distinction often weighs heavily in promotion and tenure processes. Additionally, if selected, you have a label that is highly regarded behind your name.

Q. What does the $90/minute cover?

A. For $90/minute, PARMA Recordings provides final mastering of the entire project, which involves equalization of audio, balancing volume between tracks, noise reduction as needed, and ensuring clarity and consistency of mixing and normalization. PARMA will also provide artwork and design elements for both the CD package and the project’s Electronic Press Kit and Enhanced Catalog Page, hosted on their website. PARMA is heavily invested in marketing the works represented on the SCI CD series, resulting in radio airplay and reviews. PARMA will facilitate worldwide distribution of the CD via Naxos, and the works will also be available for digital download and streaming.

Q. How are the pieces selected to appear on the CD Series?

 A. A panel of professional composers from across the country critiques the anonymous works independently. Those pieces that receive the highest combined scores are selected for inclusion.

Q. When will the CD be released?

A. It generally takes a year or more from the time the works are selected to the time they are released. According to the production timeline of PARMA Recordings, the release dates of the SCI CDs have usually been scheduled in August, but this is subject to change.

Q. Can I submit the same work to the SCI Journal of Scores?

A. Yes, but you must additionally follow the directions for the SCI Journal of Scores call. You will be uploading your document twice in such a case. The judging panel is different for each call.

Q. Can I submit this year if my work was selected for a previous CD?

A. Composers who have had works included in the last five volumes of the CD are ineligible to apply.