Advice for Commissioning Applications

As many composers are aware, there are aspects of the Classical Commissioning Program that are complex and others that are quite simple and straightforward. The application forms and process of applying are quite simple. The evaluation process (due to the fierce competitiveness of the program) is much more complicated. The following information is provided to give an insight into the process in an attempt to demystify what happens when a commission application is sent to Council.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I apply to the Canada Council for a commission?

• Composers do not actually apply for a commission directly; ensembles and producers apply directly to the Canada Council and many provincial arts councils. For advice on a successful commission application see the Canada Council's advice on submitting a commission application.

Who can apply for commissioning grants?

• The commissioner can be an individual artist, a group of artists or a professional arts organization. The commissioner does not have to be Canadian. Applications can be made in both the classical contemporary/new music and non-classical music traditions.
• Commissions for functional music by dance companies, independent choreographers, theatre companies and multidisciplinary groups are also eligible. However, functional music projects are considered only when they propose an innovative use of music in a live performance in a public venue.
• Composers are not eligible to apply for support of their own creations. Artistic directors or band leaders writing for their own ensemble or group should consult the Canada Council Grants to Professional Musicians program for possible funding.

Who is not eligible to apply?

• Non-professional performing ensembles and arts organizations are not eligible unless they can demonstrate that the project will potentially have a significant national impact. In such cases the applicant should call the program officer to inquire before submitting.
• Managers and agents cannot apply on behalf of artists.
• Organizations that receive funding from the Residencies for Composers and Conductors program may not apply to this program to commission works from the composer-in-residence.

Does the composer have to be a Canadian citizen?

• The composer must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

What projects are not eligible?

• Works that are already completed, film scores, sound recordings, arrangements and orchestrations, expansions of existing compositions and works with a premiere date that comes before the closing date of the competition are not eligible for a commissioning grant.

How often can I apply?

• The commissioner may apply for a maximum of three applications in the same competition, and a maximum of six applications per year (any 12-month period). The commissioner can receive only one grant for the same composer per year.
• Composers can have no more than three commissioning proposals submitted on their behalf to the same competition, and may not be awarded more than three commissions per year.

If I’m rejected, should I submit the same application again?

• Yes. Each new competition consists of new jurors with their own expertise. There are new competing applications and new numbers of applications in each pool. This creates a new national comparison each and every time. The priority list of the Peer Assessment Committees is potentially quite different each time.

Are the awards distributed to both emerging and established composers?

• Care is taken to award grants to both senior and younger composers, established and fledgling ensembles and toward regional diversity. The Peer Assessment Committee considers both the organization and the composer when looking for balance between genres, region, gender, cultural diversity and young/established artists.
• However, when a young composer is commissioned for a big project (large works or very long works or both) for the first time and the applicant hasn’t demonstrated that they can handle this risk (i.e. there is a bit of over-reaching in the application), committee members could recommend a shorter work.

What fee should I charge?

• The CLC sets a series of minimum commissioning rates used by Canadian arts councils; please go here to view the most up-to-date rates.

What other costs should be paid by the commissioner above the commissioning fee?

• The commissioner pays for the additional costs of parts copying and reproduction even if it is done by the composer him/herself. As well, travel costs for the composer to attend the premiere (if any) are in addition to the commissioning fee as well as a fee paid to the composer to attend rehearsals.

Should the composer include a letter of support?

• Including a letter from the composer is a good idea. The letter will strengthen the impression that the composer has had a part in the application and offers the chance to emphasize the collaborative aspect of the project.

How should the composer prepare audio samples?

• Listening time is limited. Unless composers really believe that the first minute of their works indicate the best example of their writing, audio excerpts should be cued. The impact of cuing audio and scores cannot be underestimated when the jury is listening to hundreds of works at a time.
• In addition, the composer should edit out stage introductions, CBC announcements, tuning, stage management and extended applause on your audio. If your examples cannot be located quickly the jury will move on automatically. The Canada Council says that up to 90% of audio is submitted without cuing, identifying tracks, or sometimes even checking at all to see if that hastily- burned CD even worked.

How should the composer choose which scores and recordings to submit?

• Composers often ask whether to send their most recent work or an older example that is closer to the instrumentation, scale or style of the proposed commission. At least one work submitted should be as closely related to the project as possible. The other work submitted should demonstrate your best work, and could also support the proposed commission or show a new compositional direction.
• A short note explaining your choices may assist in the evaluation of the file.

How are the applications assessed?

• Assessment Process:
  • Eligible applications are assessed by a Peer Assessment Committee (PAC), which is made up of professionals selected for their experience and expertise. Committee members are also selected to ensure fair representation of gender, Aboriginal peoples, regional and cultural diversity, various genres and Canada’s two official languages.
  • The PAC evaluates all applications on the basis of the completed application form and the support material submitted.
• Assessment Criteria:
  • Committee members make their decisions based on artistic merit, the merit of the proposed project and the following specific criteria. It is a good idea to highlight each of these points when writing the project description.
  • the quality of the composer’s work (and the librettist’s work, where this applies)
  • the quality of the project, including the merit of the proposed commissioner-composer partnership, and the proposed interpreters’ performing skills and musicianship
  • the context and projected impact of the proposed performances, including the possibility of repeat performances and further dissemination of the proposed composition.

What will happen if I send in extra supporting material?

• Only a 2-page C.V. and a 4-page list of works are allowed. Pages beyond this maximum will not go to the jury. An updated, edited, and concise C.V. is essential.
• Extra material (such as reference letters and press clippings) will not be shown to peer assessment committees.

What will happen if I send in an incomplete application?

• An application that does not include all required material, or includes material that is not requested in the application form, will be considered incomplete. It will therefore be withdrawn from the competition.
• Double-check that the application is complete. Many applications lack a signature from the composer, or a complete contract. Carefully go through the checklist provided in the application.
• Late material will not be presented to the peer assessment committee.

When will I get the results of my application?

• You will receive the results, by letter, approximately four months after the application deadline. For privacy reasons, the Canada Council does not release results by telephone or email.
• You can find a list of successful grant applicants at www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/recipients. You can also contact the Canada Council, in writing, to request the list of peer assessors and successful applicants.

What do I do if a commission application is partially funded?

• The commissioner should raise the full funds for the commission.

Is there a model contract to follow?

• Yes, the CLC has a model commissioning contract to follow for your convenience.