We welcome early-career composers of all ages and backgrounds. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or ALAANA, as well as women, LGBTQIA+, and gender non-binary composers, are strongly encouraged to apply. This opportunity is open to US Citizens, Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), and individuals with a valid work visa.

March 8, 2024: Deadline for submissions
April 8, 2024: Notification of selected composers
May 1, 2024: Receipt deadline for ALL manuscript revisions
May 13, 2024: Performance or Premiere of the first three works in San Antonio, TX

• Both pre-existing and new works are eligible
• Works of approximately five (5) minutes in duration are preferred
• Only one application per individual
• Instrumentation:
  • SOLI Instrumentation: Clarinet (in Bb, A, Eb, or Bass), Violin, Cello, and Piano (extended techniques for the piano are allowable; no prepared piano, please)
  • Any subset of the SOLI instrumentation (works with three or more instruments are preferred)
  • SOLI + 1: Full or partial SOLI instrumentation plus ONE instrument from the list below:
    • Flute 
    • Percussion (please contact for details)
    • Electronics (please contact for details)
    • Strings (violin, viola, cello)
    • Voice

Please remove any references to the composer’s name and, if applicable, the text author from the file name and the score pages of submitted works. Please leave the title ONLY on the score page(s) and file name.

Have a question about your instrumentation, duration, or other work details? Please contact us using the link below!

All composers will receive the following as part of the 30-Cohort:

• Performance or premiere of their work either in San Antonio TX by SOLI Chamber Ensemble or one of the Project Partners referenced herein
• A second performance of their work at a location and by an ensemble to be determined
• Inclusion of their work on the compilation live CD release of all 30 works, tentatively scheduled for a 2025 release
• $1,000 honorarium

Selected composers from the cohort will have the opportunity to ‘workshop’ their composition with SOLI at a residency location to be determined.

Please submit a full score of your work only. Please remove any references to the composer’s name and, if applicable, text author from the file name and the score pages of submitted materials. Leave the Title ONLY on the score page(s) and file name. Pre-existing scores may be sent in their current format and do not need to be re-formatted to the specifications below for initial submission. Writing a new work to submit to 30x30x30? Follow the guidelines below to format your score.

If selected, final performance materials shall consist of the following:

1. All SOLI musicians perform from a digital score viewed on an iPad. Please format the score using a traditional score size – oversize scores will not read clearly on a 12” vertical screen. Additional formatting parameters include:
2. Please use .59” for each of the four margins (top, bottom, left, right).
3. The order of the instruments on the score should read (from top to bottom): clarinet, violin, cello, and piano grand staff.
4. Please format the piano grand staff using the following staff size (expressed in one of three ways): Inches: 0.25; Millimeters: 6.4; or Points: 18. This should be universal for all notation software.
5. For each of the instrument staves (clarinet in B♭, violin, cello), please choose a small, but readable staff size. Example: in Sibelius, choose “small staff” in the “Add Instruments” section for each staff.
6. Steps 3 and 4, above, establish the primary formatting for the piano-predominant score.
7. Once the primary formatting is established and edited, please copy the complete score to a separate file and re-render three additional formats, one for each of the instruments:
   1. Clarinet line predominant utilizing the primary staff size noted in #3 above, violin, cello, and piano grand staff in small staff size.
   2. Violin line predominant utilizing the primary staff size noted in #3 above, clarinet, cello, and piano grand staff in small staff size.
   3. Cello line predominant utilizing the primary staff size noted in #3 above, clarinet, violin, and piano grand staff in small staff size.
8. Please also extract the instrument parts as separate scores/digital files for reference purposes.
9. The end result is four part-predominant scores, one for each of the musicians:

10. Single, combined MP3, WAV, or AIFF recording of the complete work.
11. Composer name, date, dedications etc. on the title page(s).
12. A brief program note of approximately 100 words; a longer program note is also acceptable and welcome, in addition to the shorter version that will be used for marketing and promotional purposes.

How do you define early career?
We are looking to work with a composer of any age in the early stages of their career for whom this commission represents a significant opportunity. 

If chosen, would I have to travel to the city where the performance will take place?
It’s not required, but we’re encouraging the selected composers to attend the performances/ premieres if at all possible. If selected we will let you know where and when your performance will take place. At this time, we’re only planning to offer a partial stipend to 3 composers towards the costs of travel and accommodation in San Antonio. 

Am I eligible if I’m a student?
Yes. 

Do I have to write a new work? What if I have a work that fits the project and has been performed?

30x30x30 is a hybrid, call for scores & commissioning project therefore you can choose to write an original work, use it as a boost and a good reason to finish a work you have already been working on, OR send in a piece that has already been written and performed. We only ask that you consider the spirit of the project, providing a significant opportunity for both the composer and the work they select to send in. If your chosen work has been performed multiple times in significant concert situations you may want to consider sending in a score that could benefit from this project in a more significant way.

Who will perform my piece if selected?

SOLI chamber Ensemble or one of SOLI’s Performance Partners will perform/premiere your work.

If selected when will my work be performed/premiered?

All selected works will be performed/premiered during the 2024-2025 Season (May 2024 to May 2025). We will be in touch with you in advance about the exact date when your piece is programmed.

If selected, will my work be recorded?

Although we cannot speak for all our Performing Partners, SOLI does archival recordings of all our concerts, and if approved by all performers, we will be able to share that recording with you. Also, please remember that recordings will be produced of all selected works for a digital release at the completion of the entire project.

Will you consider ideas for works with non-traditional notation and/or electronics?
Yes! But please check with us for some restrictions we will have for electronics.

What percussion instruments can I use?

Although there are no specific restrictions on which percussion instruments can be used, we prefer the part be limited to instruments that are readily available and played by one person.