College-Level Ensemble Grants (CLEG)-Festival Performance Grants
Award Description
In 2010-11, Early Music America will offer 5 grants of $1,000 each to college or university Early Music Ensembles for the purpose of supporting the ensemble’s travel to perform a fringe concert at EMA’s Young Performers Festival, in conjunction with the Boston Early Music Festival. EMA will provide the venue for these concerts (First Church of Boston), and will work out the performance time with the ensembles. (Dates are June 13-17, 2011.) Such performances help to elevate the profile of the early music ensemble, encouraging recruitment and raising awareness of the institution’s early music activities.
Eligibility
1) Applicants must be directors of college or university early music ensembles from schools in the US or Canada. Although the term “early music” is used in different ways at different institutions, for purposes of this award it is used to denote an ensemble that fits the following criteria:
- The ensemble devotes its attention primarily to music before ca. 1750.
- The ensemble gives attention to matters of historical performance.
- Where instrumental performance is involved, the ensemble performs on period instruments OR is working towards the goal of using a period- instrument based group.
2) The majority of participants must be students enrolled in a degree program at the ensemble’s home institution. The ensemble may include non- student community participants and/or faculty members as well, as long as they are fewer than one-third the members in the ensemble.
3) The director of the ensemble must be a member of EMA or the school must be an organizational member.
Timetable and application process
Applications will be due by December 1, 2010. The winners will be selected by January 15, 2011.
Submission Process
Directors interested in applying for the grant should submit 4 copies of each of the following:
- A description of the Festival performance to be funded.
- A brief description of the activities of the early music ensemble and its place within its institution
- Three recent concert programs
- A recording of the ensemble from live performances, no longer than 30 minutes in length on unlabeled CDs. The recorded examples need not feature the exact same performers (it is assumed that student ensembles change somewhat in their membership from year to year) or the same proposed program, but a substantial number of the performers should be the same, and the performance should represent the level and quality of performance that could be expected.
- A list of pieces recorded on the CD, with no school name or directors’ names included, and one copy of the pieces including the names of all performers.
- A preliminary budget including estimated major expenses such as travel and room and board for all ensemble members. If this number is greater than the total of the EMA award, please provide a list of proposed sources for the remainder of the funds (even if they are not confirmed.) Note that EMA has reserved a number of inexpensive dorm rooms at Emerson College for use by young performers; EMA will cover the cost of venue rental for the concert.
Judging
An anonymous panel of 3 judges, selected by Early Music America, will choose the ensembles to receive the grant, based on the strength of the letter of application and/or the performance quality of the recordings. Issues including but not limited to need, feasibility of project, and creativity will also be considered.
Prize
The winners will receive a $1,000 grant in support of the project described in their letter of application. Early Music America will cover the cost of venue rental for the concert, the cost of registering the concert as a fringe event at BEMF and will publicize the concerts through its newsletter, on its website, and through email lists.
Upon accepting the award, the grantee also agrees to furnish a brief written report to EMA within 30 days of the completion of the performance.
Comments
Early Music America recognizes that the amount of the Festival Performance CLEG may not provide sufficient funds to cover the complete cost the proposed project. In some cases, the purpose of the grant may be to provide “seed money” which the director can then take to the department chair or dean to seek additional funds. If the recipient of the grant finds that he or she is unable to secure adequate funding to complete the project, EMA should be notified as soon as possible so that the award may be offered to a runner-up.
Contact
All materials should be sent to:
EMA Festival Performance CLEG
2366 Eastlake Ave. E. #429
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 720-6270
(206) 720-6290 (fax)
info@earlymusic.org