Call for Contemporary Music Concert Proposals

Calling Ensembles and Musicians. . .

Apply to perform as part of the Goethe-Institut Boston’s ongoing Contemporary Music from Germany concert series!

Professional chamber music ensembles and musicians are invited to submit concert proposals for the Goethe-Institut Boston’s ongoing concert series “Contemporary Music from Germany” through this application portal. We prioritize proposals from New England-based and Germany-based Ensembles/Musicians, but will consider other proposals as well. 

The concert series takes place September thru June and offers flexible concert dates. The aim is to present up to ten
concerts per year that provide Boston-area audience a view into the contemporary music scene in and from Germany and an opportunity to hear repertoire that is otherwise not often performed in the US.

Please note: the Goethe-Institut Boston can not pay the ensembles/musicians an honorarium or reimburse travel/accommodations, or any other costs, associated with the proposed concert. However, the Goethe-Institut will provide its concert hall free of charge, tune the piano if being used, and promote the concert through its website, social media and newsletter channels. See below for more details.

Proposals can be submitted via this portal on a rolling basis. The applications will only be reviewed 4 times per year: on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. Therefore, we are unable to consider concert proposals with a timeline of less than three months. We will accept proposals for concerts up to one year ahead of the proposed concert date.

The Goethe-Institut Boston encourages proposals that demonstrate the musicians’ efforts to diversify their repertoire and expand the scope of their programming.

The Goethe-Institut Boston will provide the following:

• Use of its beautifully renovated and acoustically balanced concert hall with capacity of 100 persons featuring a tuned Hamburg Steinway piano (if needed)
• Promotion of the concert through its regular channels including website, weekly newsletter, social media, flyer production and limited distribution, and submitting to local online calendars.
• A basic post-concert reception with wine, water and simple snacks.
• One scheduled dress rehearsal in the concert hall either directly before the concert or on a day preceding the concert during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
• Option to use PA sound system, projector and screen, mic/house sound system, if desired
• Option to charge tickets with 100% revenue going to the musicians provided logistics and cash flow is organized in entirety by the musicians.

• The focus of the proposed program is on performing works by contemporary composers from or living/working in Germany. At least 50% of the program should feature living composers from or living/working in Germany.
• The musicians are experienced, professional performers, evidenced by included performance videos/sound recordings, resumes and media reaction.
• The musicians understand and acknowledge that the Goethe-Institut Boston cannot provide funding for travel, accommodations or artist fees and they have submitted a proposal for how the concert will be financed.