Essential APPLICATION InfO for
2024 & 2025 programs
APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAHLEST EEBLE READINGS ARE CLOSED AS OF 12 AM ET, MAY 1 2024 (9 PM PT, APRIL 30)
AND WILL REOPEN IN EARLY 2026
Welcome to our Application page!
We have changed our adjudication process to offer more opportunities to composers so please read the following information carefully.
Since our founding in 2017, the Academy’s alumni pool, consisting of former Composer Fellows accepted into the Bahlest Eeble Readings program, the Academy’s core program, has grown into a large and vibrant community. Rather than operate as a “pass-through” organization, we believe that our composers are best served by if we continue to invest in them once their time as a Fellow comes to an end.
Our Alumni Support Initiative helps us create years-long relationships with our composers. As a result, with more time and resources channeled to alums, the selection process for Fellows has become highly competitive. We now expect to routinely select no more than eight new Fellows a year.
Therefore, we are rebooting our Tidriks Distance Learning program into a series of short-term (mostly one-day) online weekend classes with renowned guest performers, conductors, and Gabriela. These will distill many of the same lessons as the more intensive (year-long) Bahlest Eeble Readings program, yet feature a less competitive application process.
The Tidriks Distance Learning program will be in a masterclass format with two kinds of participants: Those whose work is critiqued and those whose work is not critiqued but who are invited to observe the masterclass and engage in the discussion component (the latter may purchase a sliding-scale seat here when the schedule of classes is finalized soon). In this way, we hope to be of service to ever more composers at large even as our core program now accepts fewer Fellows.
All applicants for the year-long Bahlest Eeble Readings program will automatically be considered for the short-term Tidriks Distance Learning program unless they specifically opt out. (Applicants may be invited to participate in both programs!)
Comparison of the Tidriks Distance Learning and the Bahlest Eeble Readings experience
| Tidriks Masterclass Participant | Bahlest Eeble Readings Fellow |
|---|---|
| Short-term: A weekend online morning 90-120 min session with a master performer and Gabriela: “Performer's Practicum” workshopping short original samples (“seed ideas”) composed for featured instrument by selected composers. This is followed by a 90 min afternoon session: “Share-and-Tell” of literature for featured instrument that master performer believes every composer should know (scores provided to participants beforehand); group discussion/Q&A | Long-term: Approximately one year with multiple Zoom sessions over several months, one 5-day onsite residency, one-on-ones with Gabriela, and a final coaching with performers for a remote video recording session of an original new multi-performer work. |
| Likely to have observers who have purchased a seat (limited in number) | No outside observers, open only to personnel within the program |
| Less competitive | Highly competitive |
| Composer not eligible for admittance to the Academy alumni community, nor for support from the Alumni Support Initiative upon completion. | Composer eligible for admittance to the Academy alumni community and support from the Alumni Support Initiative upon completion. |
| Opportunity for supportive critique on work/creative habit from Gabriela and faculty. | Opportunity for supportive critique on work/creative habit from Gabriela and faculty. |
| Compose short "seed ideas" for featured performer to workshop. | Compose an entire small ensemble work for featured performers, workshopping from “seed ideas” to completion. |
| Can do one round as a masterclass participant; numerous rounds as an observer. | Usually can only do one round. |
| Cost: Free for invited masterclass participants drawn from applicants; meaningful discount plus sliding scale given for applicants to participate as observers. | Cost: Free for invited fellows, not including travel; some green travel support possible for onsite activities. |
Application Period
The next application period for programs in calendar years 2024 and 2025 opens Wednesday, September 6, 2023 and closes Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 (11:59 PM EST). An applicant may only apply once every application period. Gabriela will review applications in October, December, February, and May of every year, continually filling seats as applications come in so composers are strongly encouraged to apply early! Unsuccessful applicants will be notified through the period of adjudication and into the summer.
Dates and Schedule of Artists for Programs
Events begin in May, 2024. Bahlest Eeble Readings Cycles 18 and 19 dates will be announced soon. The calendar for Tidriks Distance Learning in 2024 can be found here.
Eligibility
Any composer who identifies as an emerging voice and is interested in developing their skill set within the “classical” and/or “classical-crossover” mediums inclusive of aesthetics that intersect with other styles/cultures (hip-hop, improvisation, non-western traditions, performance art, etc). Composers must be at least 19 years of age. We understand that the term “emerging” is vague and trust your judgement as to what your artistic needs are! Exceptions for composers who do not consider themselves “emerging” are considered; please inquire.
Composers who are largely self-taught are encouraged to apply as well are those who hold degrees. Experience with written scores encouraged (including graphic, experimental, and non-western) but exceptions absolutely considered if composer is willing to take steps, however small, towards notation. (The Academy will offer kindhearted and ethical tutors.)
Composers should have experience writing for instruments played by people and demonstrate this in their application. Instrumental works with electronics are fine! Composers should be aware that GLFCAM has an emphasis on writing for human performers so it’s recommended that at least one submitted work be purely instrumental..
All accepted composers must be willing to sign an extensive Code of Conduct. All composers must be willing to write at least one blog for the Academy’s popular in-house blog series.
All accepted composers must be available for the entire duration of any onsite residency and for a high majority of online events (dates provided upon acceptance).
Composers from all nationalities are welcome to apply.
Climate Citizenship
Here at the Academy, we are believers of human-driven climate change. As such, climate citizenship is now an integral part of all activities at GLFCAM. Please be sure to read our Climate Commitment to learn more about what this means for all participants in our programs.
Application fees and tuition
$25 application fee. Composers accepted into the Bahlest Eeble Readings program and the Tidriks Distance Learning program (as full participants) receive a full scholarship. If the application fee presents a financial hardship please contact staff@glfcam.com for a waiver which we are happy to grant, no questions asked.
Information specific to Bahlest Eeble Readings program
Lodging for onsite activities: As communal bonding is an essential part of the Academy experience, accepted composers are strongly encouraged to stay at Gabriela’s comfortable second home, the Lyon House cottage, in Boonville at no cost. Additional guests – spouses and children, for instance – cannot be accommodated. If composers wish to stay elsewhere in the Anderson Valley at their own cost, the Academy can make recommendations but cannot guarantee availability or make the booking.
Meals: Light breakfast items and cooking essentials are stocked in the Lyon House kitchen. At least two vegetarian dinners will be provided, and may be structured as group cooks. (Dietary restrictions will be considered whenever possible, given the limitations of a small rural community.) All other meals are the responsibility of composers who have several local grocery stores and restaurants at their disposal.
Travel costs: Accepted composers are responsible for their air/ground travel to arrive to Boonville by the start date of their residency. (Arrival the day before is strongly recommended.) Some travel assistance is available for composers willing to travel “green.” Airports closest to Boonville are San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK), and Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa (closest). Public transportation will not be sufficient in getting fellows from the airports to Boonville, and therefore, rental cars will be needed to at least partially navigate the trip, and to generally get around Boonville and the rest of the Anderson Valley. Accepted composers will receive assistance from Academy staff in communicating with other composers to share rental cars.
Criteria for adjudication for all applicants: From Gabriela
“Hello, and thank you for applying! I’m so excited to look at your application and get to know you better. While I pour my heart into this adjudication, I regret that I don’t have enough spots to offer to everyone and I appreciate your casting your hat in the ring.
1. Music: Simply put, I’m looking for an exciting imagination inside a curious spirit who shows infinite creative promise.
2. Personal qualities: I’m looking for composers who can be collegial and supportive, open-minded to the different backgrounds and aesthetics of their fellow composers, who would like to make new friends, and who I would feel happy to welcome into my own home. I’m also looking for composers who have an impressive work ethic (as they are trying to work towards a healthy work ethic) and who understand they’ll hear from mentors who will take them seriously and give them tough, discerning feedback. I’m especially interested in composers who feel that the Academy’s commitment to arts citizenship and meaningful climate action is in step with their own personal ethos. I'm also looking for composers who could be potential recipients of support from the Alumni Support Initiative.
3. Fit: Admittedly highly subjective! I’ll carefully and honorably decide whether I can be of utmost service to each and every applicant, much in the vein of a private teacher deciding who to accept into their private studio. Don't be surprised if I solicit the input of my faculty artists and an additional established composer or two to make final decisions on successful applicants. You are taken seriously!