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• Opportunities to co-create one of three Global Composition Projects on a significant contemporary theme of your choice from the following:

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1) Social & Racial Justice--Collaboration with Fear No Music

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2) The Environment & Global Climate Change--Collaboration with Delgani String Quartet

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3) Bridging the Divisions in Society--Collaboration with 4 X 5 (piano duo)

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• Performances of the three Global Composition Projects co-created by symposium composers and performed by our renowned guest artists: Fear No Music (ensemble-in-residence), the Delgani String Quartet, and 4 X 5 (piano duo). Please apply as a “Composer/Performer” (Category II), “Composer” (Category I), “Performer” (Category III), and/or “Conductor” (Category IV).

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• International Songbook Project—In addition to participating in one of the three Global Composition Projects, all symposium participants will have the opportunity to create a song or songs for a Songbook Project that is being hosted by Conspirare Company of Voices. Craig Hella Johnson, director of Conspirare, is the leader of the creative team, which includes Robert Kyr; the team is engaged in the development and implementation of this project.

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• All Composer Participants: Presentations & Discussions of Their Music for the Symposium—Each composer participant will have the opportunity to give a presentation about their music to the rest of the symposium. There will also be a means for composers to share additional information about themselves and to connect with other symposium composers and composer/performers for possible future collaborations.

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• Sessions with composers-in-residence—Chen Yi (composer-in-residence), Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon (composer-in-residence), David Crumb (composer-in-residence), and Robert Kyr (symposium director).

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• A roster of nationally and internationally renowned guest artists—Numerous concerts will be given by our highly acclaimed guest artists.

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• OBFCS Vocal Fellows Program with Grammy-winning soprano Estelí Gomez, mentor and director of the program, including opportunities for OBFCS composers to receive recordings of their new or previously composed vocal music. Apply as a “Performer” (Category III) and please specify “OBFCS Vocal Fellows Program.” For composers, please indicate your interest in this program by applying for “Composer/Performer” (Category II) or “Composer” (Category I) and please be sure to specify OBFCS Vocal Fellows Program.

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• Perform as a solo improvisor—During OBFCS 2021, composer/performers, instrumentalists and/or vocalists may participate as solo improvisors, if they wish. In order to do so, please apply as a “Composer/Performer” (Category II), “Composer” (Category I), “Performer” (Category III), and/or “Conductor” (Category IV), and see the "OBFCS Improv 2021" page for further details.

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• Composers Film Festival—Films and/or videos that participants have previously scored and/or created (as a filmmaker) will be presented at our Composers Film Festival during the symposium. Audience members will have a chance to give feedback during a discussion following each screening. Apply as a “Composer/Performer” (Category II) or “Composer” (Category I), and please specify “Composers Film Festival.”

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• A Career Development Session—a panel discussion about developing and sustaining a career in the contemporary music field featuring our guest artists and composers-in-residence

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• Participate in as many categories as you wish: Applicants may participate in as many categories of the symposium as they wish with no supplemental tuition charge beyond the basic cost of the program that you choose: the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium (OBFCS) or the OBFCS Vocal Fellows Program (which is an integral part of the symposium). Please note: Composers are strongly encouraged to apply as “composer/ performers,” which will give you an opportunity for maximum engagement during the symposium. 

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• Affordability, Financial Assistance & Accessibility: As in the past, we have kept tuition extremely low, however, if you have a legitimate need for financial assistance, please complete your application first and then write an email to Dr. Robert Kyr, in which you specify the amount that you are applying for. We are glad to consider your request if financial assistance will make it possible for you to participate in this year's virtual symposium. Please send your request to: obfcomposers@gmail.com.

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Each year, more than 30,000 people attend the Oregon Bach Festival in order to take advantage of an exciting mix of choral/orchestral masterworks, chamber concerts, talks, a conducting master class, and social events. Although the festival is known for its concerts, education is at its core. This year will mark the 27th anniversary of the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium (Robert Kyr, founder and director), which has featured a host of renowned composers-in-residence including Arvo Pärt in '94;  Judith Weir in '95; John Harbison in '96; Krzysztof Penderecki in '98; Lou Harrison  in '00, Veljo Tormis, R. Murray Schafer, and Tan Dun in ’02; George Crumb in ’04; David Crumb in ’04, ’16 & '21; Osvaldo Golijov in ’05; Martin Bresnick in ’07 & ‘18; Sven-David Sandstrom in ’09; Craig Hella Johnson (’13 & ’14), Stephen Hartke in ’13, Chen Yi in ’14 & '21, and James MacMillan and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon in ’16 & '21; Philip Glass and Richard Danielpour in '18.