Submissions for scores and applications for guest artists are open on our website! Click here if you have a score you'd like us to play for our New Music Festival on October 15th-16th, 2022, and click here if you're interested in performing a 30-minute set on one of the concerts. The Festival will feature three concerts in downtown Eugene, from the Park Blocks to the First Christian Church and the New Zone Gallery. The Light and Art show in the Park Blocks will draw on the energy of ArtCity's BEAM, with amplified music and an interactive light exhibit for audience members. Our audience participation concert draws trained and untrained musicians alike into a collective sound-making space at the First Christian Church, and our concert at New Zone will set pieces for the ensemble in an inviting visual atmosphere. The Call for Scores closes June 1st, and the Guest Artist Application closes July 1st.
AT A GLANCE
Submissions Open
Deadline
Notification
Festival
Fee (Sliding Scale)
Max Submissions
Apply and submit materials
Questions
March 16, 2026
June 1, 2026 — 11:59 PM PDT
By July 1, 2026 (no later than August 1 if high volume)
October 2–4, 2026 · Eugene, OR, USA
$5 to $15 per score — waivers available to anyone, no questions asked
2 scores per composer (one form per score)
Dyslexia-friendly submission guidelines available here
About the Festival
EDME is accepting scores for our 5th annual New Music Festival, presented in collaboration with IMPULSE New Music Ensemble — our third year partnering together. Selected works will be performed October 2–4, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon.
Selected composers are encouraged, but not required, to attend. All selected composers will be invited to appear on our radio show, The Sound of Curiosity.
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About the Ensembles
Eugene Difficult Music Ensemble (EDME)
EDME performs and commissions underrepresented experimental works in order to open ears and minds. We work to expand the definition of what music can be and what music is capable of achieving — as well as who is capable of achieving it.
Website: https://www.edmensemble.org/about
IMPULSE New Music Ensemble
IMPULSE is a student-run performance group based in Eugene, Oregon, committed to playing music by living composers and to exploring different ways of interacting with music in a performance setting.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impulse_ensemble/
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Eligibility
Composers of all ages and nationalities are welcome to apply. Previously accepted composers may submit a piece that has not been performed at any past EDME New Music Festival.
Composers from historically underrepresented groups — including people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals — are strongly encouraged to apply.
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How to Apply
All submissions are handled through a single online form. Submit one form per score. If you submit more than two scores in total, all pieces after the second will be disqualified.
Step 1 — Complete the Application Form
Fill out the form at: https://forms.gle/Tw5hXBiXXVzDuKHbA
The form will ask for: your contact information, the title and duration of your work, which ensemble(s) you are submitting to, instrumentation, and your score and recording files.
Step 2 — Pay the Suggested Submission Fee
The Suggested fee is $5 to $15 per score. It supports: venue costs, insurance, and — most importantly — musician compensation.
Pay via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=S9N4C79Q2QTLG
Fee Waivers (´｡• ᵕ •｡`): Waivers are available to anyone who asks. No justification is required. Email Secretary@edmensemble.org to request one. If PayPal is unavailable in your country, email us — we will find a solution.
(ノ｀□´)ノ ♩♪♬
Score Requirements
General Rules
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You may submit up to 2 scores. Submit one form per score.
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Maximum duration: 15 minutes. Portions of larger works are accepted; specify the section in the form.
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Scores may be submitted for EDME, IMPULSE, or both.
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Scores cannot mix instruments across ensembles.
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Open instrumentation works are welcome and encouraged.
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Composers may perform their own work or bring their own performers.
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Works with electronics require a tech rider submitted alongside the score.
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Electronics specifications: maximum 4 inputs / stereo output / live processing or fixed tracks accepted / fixed media accepted.
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All ensembles may incorporate theatrical elements, physical movement, text-only instructions, graphic notation, improvisation, audience participation, video, projection, and lighting effects.
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EDME scores may also include video-based and animated notation.
EDME Instrumentation
EDME accepts solo or chamber works for 1–15 performers using any combination of the following:
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Flute (1 performer)
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B♭ Clarinet (1 performer)
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Oboe (1 performer)
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Bassoon (1 performer)
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French Horn (1 performer)
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Trumpet (1 performer)
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Trombone / Bass Trombone (1 performer)
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Violin (2 performers)
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Viola (1 performer)
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Cello (1 performer)
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Double Bass (1 performers)
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Voice / Mezzo-Soprano (1 performer)
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Piano (1 performer)
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Percussion (1 performer) — mallets and standard instruments, email with questions
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Found Objects (any number of performers)
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Electronics
IMPULSE Instrumentation
IMPULSE accepts solo or chamber works for performers using any combination of the following:
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Double Bass or Electric Bass (1 performer)
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Alto or Tenor Saxophone (1 performer)
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Euphonium (1 performer)
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Violin (1 performer)
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Piano (1 performer)
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Percussion (Mallet and standard instruments) (1 Performer)
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Bassoon (1 performer)
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Found Objects (any number of performers)
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Electronics
Score Submission Formats
Submit your score as a PDF if possible. If you are submitting a fixed media work, an electroacoustic or live electronic work with no associated written music, a video score, or anything that cannot be fixed to a digital page, you will instead describe the score type in the form.
A recording is not required but is helpful. MIDI renderings are acceptable. EDME has extensive experience with unconventional notation and can review scores without recordings when necessary.
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What We Look For
We seek creative, artistically sound, well-designed works. We want variety — of styles, instrumentation combinations, and people represented in our festival. “Difficult” pieces should make their challenges worthwhile; “easy” pieces should stand out with cleverness or some other compelling quality. Selected pieces stand out from the crowd.
Some instrumentation combinations are more competitive than others, and we are never able to program all of the wonderful work we receive every year.
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Composer Agreement
By submitting, you grant EDME the right to audio and video record the live performance of your piece for marketing purposes, including distribution to Patrons on Patreon and publication through e-news, social media, and our website.
You guarantee that submitted materials are your original work and sole property, and that you have obtained all licenses necessary to comply with your obligations. If your piece includes text not in the public domain, you warrant that you have secured permission to reproduce and perform it.
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Submissions open
Submissions close — 11:59 PM PDT
Composer notifications sent (no later than August 1 if high volume)
EDME New Music Festival, Eugene, OR
Timeline
March 16, 2026
June 1, 2026
July 1, 2026
October 2–4, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
My piece uses an instrument not on the list. Can I still apply?
We cannot accept works outside the listed instrumentation. However, if you plan to arrange your piece for the available instruments, note what you intend to change in the application.
My piece has unusual percussion requirements. Am I eligible?
It depends on the request. Email Secretary@edmensemble.org before submitting and describe what you need. If it works for us, we will give you the go-ahead.
I submitted for one ensemble, but my piece could work for both. Can I change that?
Yes, if you email us at Secretary@edmensemble.org. We cannot correct this ourselves because some composers specifically want to be considered by one ensemble only.
I am bringing my own performers or performing my own work. What is expected?
You can do almost anything — including performing alongside EDME or IMPULSE. The one firm commitment: you and any performers you bring must be prepared to travel to Eugene for the festival if selected.
Do I need a recording? Does MIDI work?
A recording is not required, but it helps. MIDI renderings are acceptable when a live recording does not exist. We are experienced with unconventional notation and can review scores without recordings.
Is the selection process anonymous?
No. We appreciate knowing who composers are, and we want to avoid the risk of accidentally disqualifying people over an anonymity rule.
Why is there a submission fee?
EDME is a tiny nonprofit that runs on volunteer hours. Submission fees help cover venue rentals, marketing, insurance, and — most importantly — musician compensation. We will happily eliminate the fee when we have the financial means to do so. This year we have moved to a suggested fee model.
Who qualifies for a fee waiver?
Anyone who asks. No justification required. Email Secretary@edmensemble.org to request one.
My country does not support PayPal. What should I do?
Email us at Secretary@edmensemble.org. We handle these case by case and are committed to removing any barrier to submission.
Is travel or lodging funding available for selected composers?
Not at this time, though we hope to offer this in the future. Last year, we provided a travel and lodging stipend to guest artists. The grant we received for those stipends was not renewed this year, so we cannot promise travel and lodging for guest artists either. But we are still actively seeking funding to provide this.
Can I also apply to be a guest artist?
Yes! ╰(*°▽°*)╯
My question isn’t answered here.
Email us at Secretary@edmensemble.org and we will get back to you.
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Complete your submission at:
https://forms.gle/Tw5hXBiXXVzDuKHbA
Questions? Email us at Secretary@edmensemble.org
Learn more about EDME: https://www.edmensemble.org
We look forward to hearing what you’ve made.
♬ ヾ(´〇`)ﾉ ♩ ♪ ♩ ヾ(´〇`)ﾉ ♬