Snapshot 2022 - Call For Scores
West Edge Opera (in Berkeley/Oakland, CA) is soliciting excerpts of unproduced works combining music and theater to present in Snapshot - a series of performances presented to the public in a professional concert setting.
Collaborating with San Francisco-based Earplay (www.earplay.org) as the instrumental ensemble, Snapshot is an opportunity for West Coast Composers and Librettists to get shorter works or excerpts of longer works on their feet with world class vocalists and instrumentalists. The performances are attended by the general public and are profiled and reviewed by high profile publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, KDFC, and KQED.
Snapshot seeks to champion both established and emerging West Coast composers and librettists and ultimately create a collaborative and supportive community for creators, performers, and audience members who are passionate about the future of opera and music theater.
Call for Submissions Opens: August 5th, 2021
Call for Submissions Closes: October 1st, 2021
Selections will be announced by: November 1st, 2021
Successful submissions will be asked to orchestrate for our small ensemble of piano and up to 6 instruments.
Successful submissions will entail participation in an interview video to be shown before each excerpt during the program, and put on our website.
After the performance, composers and librettists will be provided with an audio recording. The participants can choose video excerpts which
West Edge Opera will host and can be linked to.
The program will be during the weekend of April 9th and 10th
at the Wilsey Center in San Francisco
2021 Snapshot: Shawnette Sulker sings an aria from Bulrusher
Criteria:
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Works must have not received a fully staged production.
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Either the composer or librettist must have resided on the west coast (CA, OR, or WA) for at least 4 years in the last 20.
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Excerpts should be between 10 and 20 minutes long and use a maximum of 4 performers/singers.
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Excerpts that show dramatic interest are preferred. 15 minutes that show a development of character or situation are preferred to static or expository arias.
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If there are multiple excerpts from the piece that you think would work, you may suggest up to TWO excerpts. If you are attaching the entire score, make it very clear which excerpts are to be considered.
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Composer or Librettist must be present in the San Francisco Bay Area for the week of the performance to participate in rehearsals and related activities (we are unable to offer a travel stipend, but can help arrange home stays).
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Performance ready vocal scores must be completed by Dec 15, 2021.
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Score and parts (orchestrated for Snapshot ensemble) must be completed by Jan 15, 2022.
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Applicants may be of any age or nationality.
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Please note, this is not a workshop. Excerpts will be performed as they were submitted without opportunity for significant revisions or changes.
Kevin Gino sings an aria from 2020 submission,
Ten Minutes in the Life or Death of...
Past media coverage of Snapshot programs:
https://www.sfcv.org/reviews/west-edge-opera/west-edge-operas-snapshot-of-the-future
https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/in-an-operatic-sampler-taut-and-tender-ivonne-stands-tall
https://www.kdfc.com/2019/01/west-edge-operas-snapshot-sampler/
https://www.sfcv.org/reviews/west-edge-opera/west-edge-opera-serves-a-tantalizing-sampler-of-promising-new-operas
https://www.kdfc.com/2018/02/snapshot-operas-progress/
http://www.sfchronicle.com/music/article/West-Edge-mounts-an-eclectic-operatic-showcase-10946862.php
For More Information Contact:
Brian Rosen at Brian@westedgeopera.org