Composer Application for Project VOX

Project VOX 2026 Composer Application

This project was made possible by the The LGBTQ+ Community Fund at The Chicago Community Trust and a Community Partnership Programming Blaze Grant from Center on Halsted.
Project VOX is playOUT! Chicago's community commissioning initiative. This year it brings transgender and gender nonconforming youth together with an established composer to create a new musical work inspired by their voices, experiences, and artistic vision. The selected composer will collaborate virtually with the youth committee at least twice throughout the creative process.

Applications will be pre-screened by Matthew Recio, recipient of playOUT!’s inaugural commission in 2024. The commissioned composer will be selected by the Project VOX Youth Committee.

The youth selected for the committee have written the commission’s RFP. Read their vision and creative parameters here: Project Vox 2026 Request for Proposals

Instrumentation: String Chamber Orchestra

Composition Delivery Date: March 1, 2027

Premiere Date: March 31, 2027 | The Joinery, Chicago, IL

Commission Award: $1,500

Application Deadline: October 31, 2026

Award Notification: Early November 2026
Name

First NameLast Name
Pronouns
Email Address
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
City, State
Are you an LGBTQIA+ Composer?
Tell us about yourself (Bio)
Website (if applicable)
Social Media (if applicable)
The 2025 report provided by the LGBTQ+ Community Fund at The Chicago Community Trust identified arts and culture as "critical to resilience, safety, and community belonging" - particularly for trans and gender nonconforming youth.
How would you describe your artistic practice and the kinds of stories, ideas, or experiences that inspire your work?
What does it mean to you to amplify trans and gender non-conforming youth voices through music, and how would you honor that responsibility as a composer?
Based on the instrumentation, artistic vision, and creative parameters outlined in the Project VOX RFP, what are you imagining for this new work?
Please describe your initial ideas for the music, including any themes, sounds, structures, or approaches you might explore. This is not intended to be a final composition proposal; we want to understand what the RFP sparks for you as an artist.
Please submit 2–3 links representative of previous works.
Please upload a résumé, CV, or other professional materials that provide context about your artistic experience (PDF preferred). If you do not maintain a résumé or CV, you may submit another document that represents your artistic background.

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Upload a music sample or score (optional)

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I have read the RFP and confirm I understand the commission timeline, including the requirement to virtually meet with the youth committee at least twice.
Questions or concerns?

Please email our Program Associate, Jiana Avila: jiana@playoutchicago.org
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Project VOX 2026 Composer Application

The 2025 report provided by the LGBTQ+ Community Fund at The Chicago Community Trust identified arts and culture as "critical to resilience, safety, and community belonging" - particularly for trans and gender nonconforming youth.