Commissioning

Objective
To foster the composition of new concert music by New Jersey composers.
 

Eligibility
Any composer who lives and/or works and/or studies in New Jersey. There are no other demographic restrictions or preferences. Composers may be in any stage of their careers. Composers with non-standard career paths are particularly encouraged to apply.
 

Description
Grants of up to $10,000 to New Jersey composers for the creation of a new work of concert music and its performance in New Jersey. The size of the grant depends on the scope of the work. For example, a grant for a chamber piece of 5-7 minutes’ duration for 2-3 players would be around $4,500 ($3,000 as a commission to the composer plus $1,500 toward the performance). Composers are expected to complete the work within a year with a performance scheduled within six months of completion. Special consideration will be given to projects with the potential to have a significant impact on the applicant’s compositional career.
 

Application Procedure
Composers should send CGNJ an email with:

  1. (PDF) Project proposal for the composition of a new work, including a description, instrumentation, projected duration, and budget. Should include a pledge to complete the work within a year of receiving the commission. May also include a statement of the anticipated impact on the applicant’s compositional career.

  2. (PDF) Letter of intent by a performer or performance group to perform the new work at a venue in New Jersey. While the performer(s) need not be New Jersey-based, preference will be given to those who are.

  3. (PDF) Composer profile: brief biography, including current connection to New Jersey; résumé of musical activity; catalog of compositions.

  4. (PDF) Score of recent representative work.

  5. (MP3) Recording (may be synthesized) of the recent representative work.

Project Support

Objective
To help realize performances or recordings of concert music by New Jersey composers.
 

Eligibility
Any composer who lives and/or works and/or studies in New Jersey. There are no other demographic restrictions or preferences. Composers may be in any stage of their careers. Composers with non-standard career paths are particularly encouraged to apply.
 

Description
Grants of up to $5,000 to New Jersey composers to help defray the cost of a performance or recording project significant to their compositional career. Since this program is aimed at providing the last piece of funding for a project, composers should apply only when the other funding has been secured.
 

Application Procedure
Composers should send CGNJ an email with:

  1. (PDF) Project proposal with all particulars including budget, schedule, list of all other funding sources with amounts and conditions, and a statement of the anticipated impact on the applicant’s compositional career.

  2. (PDF) Letters of commitment from all other project participants, including funding sources.

  3. Any other supportive material the composer deems helpful.