Call for Scores

Submission Deadline: 11:59pm Mountain Time on Wednesday, May 13, 2026

The College Music Society (CMS) is pleased to announce its 2027 International Conference in Iceland. The conference will take place from June 6–12, 2027 in Reykjavík, Iceland. The program will include scholarly discourse and the presentation of new music by CMS members, interaction with Icelandic scholars and performers, and guided sightseeing and cultural opportunities. 

Integral to the conference is the performance of original works composed by CMS members. The Program Committee welcomes submissions of original works to be performed on Showcase Concerts during the conference. Up to two works, totaling 10 minutes or less in duration, may be submitted. Composers must either (a) perform their own works or (b) provide their own performer(s). Original works for one piano (two or more hands), other solo instruments, small ensembles, or voice will be considered. Two-channel electronic and/or electro-acoustic compositions will be accepted, provided playback can be done with a laptop (provided by the proposer) and a standard ⅛” plug. Submissions of original audiovisual works, 10 minutes or less, will also be considered. The Committee invites the broadest representation from the music profession and its interests, and welcomes proposals from students, faculty, retirees, and independent musicians from all educational and professional settings.

The Program Committee particularly encourages, and will give priority to, proposals that: 

1. connect to the conference theme, “Engaging Creative Pathways: Dialogues, Connections, and Crossings in Music”
2. illuminate the peoples, musical activities, and traditions of Iceland

CONSIDERATIONS

• CMS International Conferences include cultural experiences and sightseeing opportunities which are meant to deepen participants’ understanding of the conference locale. These activities are included in the registration fee. With this in mind, attendees are asked to give careful consideration to the financial commitment associated with participation prior to proposal submission. Registration fees for recent international conferences have been between $1,000 and $1,400. Registration fees for the 2027 program have not yet been finalized, but they should be comparable. This fee will not include airfare or lodging.
• All composers whose works are selected for inclusion on the program are expected to register for, and attend, the conference. 
• The College Music Society does not fund travel expenses of accepted presenters.
• Performers must provide their own instruments (except a piano, which will be provided).
• Compositions requiring two pianos will not be considered; however, single piano works for 4 hands are welcome. 
• Pianos may not be prepared or altered in any way, including the insertion of objects into or onto the strings.
• The conference can accommodate submissions which make use of a stereo audio system and single video projection (fixed media, audiovisual compositions, etc). Any other gear (including laptop) must be provided by the proposer.
• Prior to submission, composers must communicate with their performers regarding their interest and availability. Proposals which do not list all performers will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. 
• Composers may wish to refer to the online CMS Player’s Roster to locate performers who have volunteered their services for this conference. Composers may also seek out and contact local performers (e.g., faculty members at Listaháskóli Íslands ).  
• Composers must be willing to have their works performed on any day of the conference should  their proposal be accepted.
• Proposers must submit their own work and may not submit proposals on behalf of their students or others.

ELIGIBILITY

• Composers must be current members of The College Music Society at the time of submission. First-time CMS members can sign up for a six-month trial membership at a discounted rate of $20. Persons interested in submitting a proposal should check their membership status well in advance of the submission deadline. Please note the processing time for membership applications and/or renewals is 1–2 business days.
• It is not necessary for performers to be current members at the time of submission; however, if invited to the program, every person involved in the performance must join CMS and register for the conference.
• CMS currently offers a trial membership option for those who may want to submit a presentation without committing to a full year of membership. Trial memberships are $20 and provide full access to membership benefits for a period of six months. You can sign up for a trial membership here.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY

• Each member may propose a maximum of two submissions to this conference. 
• Each member may submit only one proposal of each format type (e.g., one panel, one workshop), except for scores. Each member may submit up to two works, totaling 10 minutes or less in duration, to the Call for Scores.
• In addition to the allowed two submissions, each member may be added by another person as a co-presenter (e.g., panelist or accompanist) to one proposal. 
• Each submission must be unique and should not duplicate the subject matter of other work submitted by the proposer in response to any other Calls for this conference.
• The maximum number of presentations in which a member may be involved on the conference program is two. If more than two proposals involving the same member are accepted, regardless of whether the member submitted the proposal or was added to another member’s proposal, the individual in question must choose in which two presentations they will participate. 

PREPARATION OF MATERIALS

• The College Music Society's conference submission process is powered by Submittable. To submit a proposal, please (1) log in to the CMS members-only website using your user name and password and then (2) click the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of this call. You will be directed to Submittable to complete your proposal. If you don't already have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to establish one. (Click here for help using Submittable and to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions.)
• A complete proposal includes:
  1. The score’s title, year of composition, instrumentation, and duration, rounding up to the nearest half minute.
  2. A PDF copy of the full score and individual parts (anonymous). The score may be notated at concert pitch or transposed; either notation should be clear in the score. Multi-movement scores and all parts should be merged into a single PDF file.
  3. A digital recording of the work. MIDI file/software-synthesis realizations are acceptable. Most audio file formats are supported by Submittable. 
  4. Program notes, anonymized to exclude names (not to exceed 250 words). Program notes of submissions accepted for performance may be edited before published in the conference proceedings.
  5. A list of required equipment (Internet connection is not guaranteed).
  6. A brief biography of the composer (not to exceed 250 words).
  7. Name of the performing ensemble, if applicable.
  8. Biography of the ensemble or performer(s) (maximum total text of 250 words). Ensemble biographies may briefly address the achievements of each ensemble member; however, separate biographies of each individual performer are not requested.
  9. Contact details for all performers, including an email address, mailing address, and phone number for each person.

Please Note: 

• To support the anonymous review process, the name(s) or affiliation(s) of anyone involved in the presentation should not appear in the title or abstract, nor in the file names or body of submitted audio samples or other support materials, as submissions are evaluated anonymously. Proposals identifying the proposer or co-presenters will be disqualified. Names and affiliations may, however, appear in the “Personnel” section of the proposal and in submitted biographies, as the review committee will not have access to this part of the application.
• When referencing one’s own previously published research, the proposer should refer to such research in the third person to avoid identifying themselves. For example, hypothetical proposal submitter D. Graham should write, “D. Graham’s article, ‘XYZ,’ summarizes pertinent issues,” instead of writing, “My article, ‘XYZ,’ summarizes pertinent issues.” The wording in the first example protects the anonymity of the author, while the second compromises the author’s anonymity by linking the author of the proposal to previously published work by a named author. 
• Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be considered.

TIMELINE

• Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
• Proposers will be notified by Friday, June 19, 2026.

QUESTIONS?

Questions regarding this call should be directed to: 
[email protected], 2027 CMS International Conference Program Chair

Questions concerning conference operations should be directed to:
[email protected], CMS Director of Professional Activities