Kansas Inspired Themes

We request that composers submit works inspired by Kansas—its landscapes, history, people, and spirit. While you are free to select your own texts, we invite you to consider themes rooted in the unique identity of Kansas. Composers may wish to explore the following ideas when submitting but may not be limited to:

Prairie Landscapes: Evoking the beauty and vastness of Kansas plains, sunsets, and seasonal changes.

Historical Connections: Reflecting on Kansas’ role in abolitionism, early settlement, or other historical events that have taken place in the Sunflower State.

Small-Town Life: Exploring themes of community, resilience, and connection.

Nature and Weather: Kansas’ iconic skies, thunderstorms, or harvest seasons.

Personal Journeys: A focus on introspection and discovery tied to the experience of living in or being shaped by Kansas.

Eligibility

1. Open to all composers who are current or former residents of Kansas and/or are current or former students enrolled at a Kansas university, college, junior college, or high school.

2. Composers of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. Submitted compositions should be well written, appropriately and effectively set text, artistically dynamic and diverse, accurately convey the composer's desired message, and should be of a suitable skill level for a professional ensemble.

3. Submitted compositions must be new works, meaning they have never before been publicly performed, recorded, and or published (self-published pieces will be considered unless the composition has already been performed/recorded).

4. Submissions must include: composer’s name, email, phone number, and mailing address; a brief statement describing your connection to Kansas (e.g., "I am a current/former resident of [city, KS] during [time period]" or "I am a student/graduate of [institution]"). This information will be used solely for eligibility verification and will not be shared with the adjudication panel.

5. Composers may submit up to two separate, original compositions. Multi-movement works will be considered as an individual composition if they fit all other call for scores submission parameters.

Submission guidelines

Score Requirements:

1. SATB voicing (SSAATTBB divisi is acceptable in reasonable moderation).

2. A cappella only. The score must include a piano reduction of the vocal score for rehearsal purposes. Scores that do not include a piano reduction will be rejected.

3. Duration: 3–6 minutes.

4. Legible PDF format and appropriately engraved in standard notation software (e.g., Musescore, Dorico, Sibelius, Finale, etc.). Preference will be given to scores that are well-engraved and easily readable.

5. Scores must not contain any identifying information (e.g., composer name, contact information). Scores with identifying materials will be immediately rejected and will not be reconsidered. Anonymity of composer identities until after the selection process is a serious priority of the selection committee.

6. A MIDI recording of each composition must be included in MP3 format. Submissions without an appropriate audio mockup will not be considered.

How to submit

Complete the Google Form at the bottom of this page. The form will ask for the following information:

1. Anonymous PDF of the score.

2. MIDI recording of the composition in MP3 format.

3. Your name, email, phone number, mailing address, statement of your relationship to Kansas, and a brief composer bio (100–150 words).

4. Program note(s) about the composition(s) submitted.

Deadline

Submissions must be received by *11:59 PM Central Daylight Time (CDT) on August 1, 2025.*

Rights and permissions

Composers retain copyright of their works. By submitting for this call for scores, you grant Sonus Chamber Choir the exclusive right to perform and or record pieces as part of this project, if selected, until December 31, 2026. Sonus Chamber Choir forfeits the exclusive right to perform and record the selected work(s) after the December 31, 2026 rights expiration date is met.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed anonymously by a panel of choral and compositional experts including but not limited to the artistic director of the ensemble, Kolby Van Camp, and the Sonus composer-in-residence, Jesse Kaiser.

The panel will evaluate submissions based on artistic quality, originality, feasibility, and alignment with the ensemble’s mission. Selected composers and compositions will be notified by October 1, 2025.

Benefits for selected composers

1. Premiere performance by the Sonus Chamber Choir during the 2026 season.

2. High-quality live or studio recording for your portfolio.

3. Public recognition in concert programs, press releases, and social media.

4. The opportunity to engage with a professional ensemble dedicated to advancing choral music and enriching the cultural landscape of Kansas.

Questions?

For questions and clarification on call for scores guidelines, please contact director@sonusks.org.