Call for Scores – 2027 Sonic Boom Festival of New Music

Vancouver Pro Musica Presents

Call for Scores – 2027 Sonic Boom Festival of New Music Mixed Ensembles & Fixed Media

December 1, 2026, at 11:59pm: Deadline for submissions.
March 5 and 6, 2027: Concerts at The Firehall Arts Centre

Vancouver Pro Musica is pleased to invite all BC composers to submit new works for our 2027 Sonic Boom Festival of New Music Mixed Ensembles & Fixed Media Concerts. Selected works will be presented as part of the 2027 Sonic Boom Festival of New Music running March 5 and 6, 2027. 

Please note that we are not accepting any pieces with piano for this year’s festival.

ITINERARY:

  • Score Submission Deadline:
    Tuesday, December 1, 2026
  • Notification of Results:
    Sunday, December 20, 2026
  • Rehearsal Date(s):
    Rehearsals for mixed ensembles pieces will be scheduled after the blind adjudication process has been completed and all pieces have been selected for presentation. The rehearsal schedule will be provided by the end of January or early February 2027.
  • Concerts:
    Friday, March 5th, 2027, 7:30pm
    Saturday, March 6th, 2027, 7:30pm
    The Firehall Arts Centre
    *there will be a optional sound checks in the hours before the concerts (schedule will be provided prior to the concert)


APPLICATIONS:

Candidates must:

  • Be British Columbia residents.
  • Attend all events in the itinerary.
  • Provide all required performance materials (score, parts, any electronics) in good time for rehearsals prior to the final concert.

Submitted works:

Mixed Ensembles works must:

  • Have been composed within the past 3 years.
  • Have not been previously performed at a Vancouver Pro Musica concert.
  • Have duration no more than 10 minutes in length (pieces 6-8 mins preferred).
  • Be scored for 1-4 instruments and not include piano (pieces for more than 4 instruments or with piano will not be considered).
  • For works that include lyrics/text: Acceptable texts for works include those written by the composer or those in the public domain. Text written by others is also acceptable on the condition that the composer obtains written permission from the author or publisher.
  • Include 2 copies of the score: one copy anonymous for the jury adjudication of submissions.
    (Please read How to Prepare an Anonymized Score PDF)

    • Although notated scores are preferred, graphic scores are possible.

Please note that mixed ensemble pieces that include electronics will not be considered.

  • Fixed media works must:
    • Have been composed within the past 3 years.
  • Have not been previously performed at a Vancouver Pro Musica concert.
  • Have duration no more than 10 minutes in length (pieces 6-8 mins preferred).
  • Not be more than four channels. Please note that venue limitations may limit your piece to stereo performance.
  • Include a high-quality MP3 file of a stereo downmix of your piece. Pieces that integrate fixed media with live performers will not be considered.

Submission Form:

  • Apply by the submission form below.
  • The Application fee is $25.
  • If you require accommodation, please contact the VPM administration at [email protected] prior to submitting your score.
  • Fee payments can be made via e-transfer or cheque by mail.
  • Please make cheques payable to:
    Vancouver Pro Musica Society
    PO Box 78077 RPO Grandview
    Vancouver, BC V5N 5W1

All composers who submit applications:

  • Automatically become members in good standing of Vancouver Pro Musica
  • Are exempt from membership dues for one year

JURY:

All submitted works will be adjudicated by an anonymous jury.

RECORDING:

Composers whose works are presented will receive an archive recording of their work for non-commercial purposes

Submission Form