WHAT'S NEW:
Call for Scores from West Virginia Composers

The National Symphony Orchestra and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in association with the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, announce the commissioning of a chamber work by a resident West Virginia composer. A resident West Virginia composer will be commissioned to write a work of approximately 10-15 minutes duration for chamber forces.

The commission award is $5,000 + travel expenses associated with the premiere. Music copying, commissioning fees, and composer’s travel expenses are included in this amount.

Submissions must be made to the Appalachian Education Initiative which is serving as the state coordinator, and include all elements listed under Submission Requirements, below. A panel convened by the West Virginia Division of Culture & History and the Appalachian Education Initiative will narrow the applications to three finalists. A National Symphony Orchestra jury — overseen by Principal Conductor Iván Fischer — will make the final selection of a West Virginia composer for this commission.

Music Teacher Fellowship during Summer 2010 in Washington, D.C.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has accepted the invitation from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History to make West Virginia the site of the National Symphony Orchestra’s 2010 American Residency. As part of the American Residency, one music educator from West Virginia will be chosen to receive a Teacher Fellowship with the National Symphony Orchestra this summer. The teacher will be selected by a panel, convened by the Appalachian Education Initiative (AEI), for an individually designed program to further the teacher's professional development. The Music Teacher Fellowship will take place in Washington, D.C. under the auspices of the National Symphony Orchestra Education Program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts administer a four-week summer fellowship for one public or private school (K-12) music teacher as part of the NSO American Residency program. The selected teacher fellow is awarded a cash stipend and all expenses (excluding travel to and from West Virginia which may be covered through other sources) are covered for his/her stay in Washington, D.C. The total value of the fellowship is not to exceed $5,000.

The NSO Education staff work in conjunction with the Fellow to plan instructional activities which focus on the fellow's chosen areas of interest. In addition, the Fellow has opportunities to study with members of the National Symphony Orchestra, attend performances at the Kennedy Center, and, of course, visit the sites at our nation's capital. Dates of the Fellowship are flexible (June/July is preferred) and will be determined by mutual agreement between the successful candidate and Kennedy Center/NSO staff.

Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees' Summer Music Institute