Texas New Music Festival

July 5th - 12th, 2026

Houston, Texas

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Open to all composers and conductors worldwide.
 

APPLY NOW
 

**All applications are reviewed on a rolling basis each week. For the best chance of a successful application, we highly encourage applying as soon as possible**

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Conductor Fellows:

• All Conductor Fellows will lead the Texas New Music Ensemble in performance and 5 rehearsals for 2-3 works at the festival. 

• All  Conductor Fellows will receive feedback and individual coaching from Principal Conductor Felipe Tristan. 

• All Conductor Fellows will receive 150+ minutes of podium time.

• All Conductor Fellows will have the opportunity to work directly with composers, leading to World Premiere Performances

• All Conductor Fellows will take part in workshops on Building a Career as a Conductor, Score Preparation, Audition Preparation, Starting an Ensemble/Organization, Fundraising, and more.

• No Application Fee

• Participation Fee: $1250

• Deadline to apply: December 1st, 2025

• Application Materials

  • 2 Videos of contrasting works (conductor cam, if possible)

  • C.V.

  • Repertoire List

  • List of Ensemble Conducted

  • Headshot

  • Bio

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Composer Fellows: 

• All Composer fellows will create 3 New Works for the Festival​

• One work for the 12-piece Texas New Music Ensemble - up to 5 minutes in length (shorter works are acceptable and will allow for additional rehearsal time). Instrumentation: violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass, flute in C, clarinet in Bb, trumpet in C, tenor trombone, piano, and 2 percussionists (list of percussion available: marimba, vibraphone, bass drum, snare drum, tam-tam, wood blocks). Each work will receive 5 rehearsals and a public performance. Professionally mastered audio files will be sent out after the festival concludes.

• ​One work for the Zelaya Violin Duo to be workshopped and recorded. Up to two minutes in length. 
• One work for solo flute to be workshopped and recorded by TNME flutist Meg Griffith. Up to 2 minutes in length

• No Application Fee

• Participation Fee: $2000

• Deadline to apply: December 1st, 2025

• Application Materials​
  • 2 Scores and Recordings (midi is acceptable) of any instrumentation

  • C.V.

  • Headshot

  • Bio​

 

Texas New Music Ensemble is a professional ensemble in Houston made up of musicians from The Houston Symphony, The Houston Grand Opera, The Houston Ballet Orchestra, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, and more.

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Deadlines: 

• Texas New Music Ensemble - score and midi due by March 1st (end of day). After receiving feedback from Principal Conductor, Felipe Tristan, and TNME Director, Chad Robinson, fellows will have the opportunity to edit and resubmit the final score, parts, and midi no later than April 15th (end of day)

• Zelaya Violin Duo—score and midi are due April 1st. If necessary, feedback and editing time will be given. 

• Solo flute work—scores are due by June 15th.