The Co-op Press Fund Grant Programs
The Co-op Press Fund was established in 2000 as a means of encouraging performers to experience the excitement of collaborating with a composer and to share that excitement with their audiences by having the composer in residence. It offered two competitive grant programs, a Commission Assistance Grant and a Residency Assistance Grant. In 2005, the Fund branched out to include a Recording Grant Program, whose recipients include some of the best new talent on the concert circuit. To date, over forty grants have been awarded.
The Commission Assistance Grant enables performers to commission a composition composed especially for and dedicated to them by Sy Brandon.
- The commission fee is covered by the grant.
- In exchange for having a composition written for the performers, the performers agree to provide the Sy Brandon with a rehearsal recording at least two weeks prior to the premiere and a final recording no later than three months following the premiere.
- As part of grant, the applicant needs to design opportunities for interaction between the composer and ensemble members, students, community members, and/or audience. The interaction can take place via electronic means (email, active participation in Sy Brandon’s blog, etc) or in the form of a residency where the composer works with the musicians, talks with classes and/or community groups, and speaks to the audience.
- If the applicant desires a residency, the applicant will be responsible for covering travel expenses.
- This grant is available to performers (elementary through professional) in the United States. Deadlines for application are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.
The Recording Assistance Grant enables talented performers to produce a professional quality CD in collaboration with Emeritus Recordings.
Emeritus Recordings will design the cover, tray card and insert with input from the artist, obtain and pay for mechanical licenses, manufacture the CD, and commercially distribute the CD through storefront, web-based, and download retail outlets.
- It will promote the CD by posting announcements to news groups, and sending copies of the CD to select classical music radio stations for broadcast and select periodicals for review.
- The CD must include a minimum of 15 minutes of music (existing works and/or a new work) by composer, Sy Brandon.
- The grant covers the cost of copies of the music selected and the commission fee if a new composition is desired.
- The artist will supply Emeritus Recordings with digital recordings at his/her own expense.
- The artist can sell copies of the CD at their performances, through their website and to family and friends.
- The artist is asked to make an initial purchase of 100 copies of the CD at $6 each from Emeritus Recordings (a 60% discount off the retail price) and to sell them at $15, therefore enabling a $9 return to the artist for each CD sold.
- Selling advanced subscriptions to friends of the artist could assist the artist in meeting this obligation.
- This grant is available to performers in the United States and has deadlines for application of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.