MNSong Call for Scores, 2026

APPLY HERE

CALL FOR SCORES

MNSong is now a call for song cycles and vocal chamber music to be presented and coached with mentor Libby Larsen. We ask that applicants submit your 10-30 minute song cycle for a premiere at Source Song Festival in future seasons.

CALL FOR SCORES
Source Song Festival presents MNSong: Art song seminars and workshops with composer Libby Larsen and additional festival activities

WHEN
August 2-7, 2026 possible, 2027 most likely - subsequent festivals in following years 

ELIGIBILITY
There is no upper age restriction. All applications must be at least 18 years old as of May 1, 2026.

APPLICATION FEE
Applications are due March 1, 2026. There is NO application fee.

PROGRAM FEE
There will be a $300 program fee for those cycles selected to be workshopped and performed.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM

Workshop includes:

  • Song-cycle premiere performance in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and professional recording in August 2027 or subsequent festivals

  • Workshop, experimental situation with industry professionals

  • Collaboration, coaching, live performance and recording of your submitted work by local professionals

  • Coaching with your performers and Libby Larsen

  • Masterclass with Arlene Shrut on how to present your music and lecture by Libby Larsen

  • Access to in-person festival masterclasses with MNDuo Faculty

  • Access to Online Resources, including:

    • A panel discussion on writing for the voice, featuring Libby Larsen, David Evan Thomas, Will Liverman & Susanne Mentzer

    • A panel discussion on writing for the piano, featuring Libby Larsen, David Evan Thomas, Lydia Brown, and Warren Jones

    • A lecture on writing about songs from David Evan Thomas

APPLICATION SCORE REQUIREMENTS

Submitted works must be:

  • We ask that applicants submit your 10-30 minute song cycle for a premiere at Source Song Festival in future seasons.

  • written for at least one voice and piano (additional instruments welcome)

  • set to a text with legal permission - applicants must provide proof of permission for use of all copyrighted texts not in Public Domain.

Application Materials:

  • Your work- your score and/or reading of the score

  • A 150-word biography

  • A one-page artistic statement of your submitted score

We invite you to share additional information, which will not be part of the review process, but will help Source continue expanding our reach by sharing with us:

  • Educational Background / Training

  • Professional Experience

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE

If accepted, notice of intent to attend and your deposit will be due May 1, 2026.

Have a cycle of music, but applications aren’t open? Please forward it to us anyway - we’re always on the look out for new vocal chamber music.

Questions? clara@sourcesongfestival.org




Photo by Steven Garcia, August 2022 in Westminster Hall

““I couldn’t have been happier with my experience with MNSong. The workshops and presentations were consistently helpful, and the opportunity to work with Libby Larsen was a highlight of my career to date... I left feeling inspired to create more songs!”
— MNSong Participant
“The passion that each member of this festival (the coordinators, guest artists, duos, composers, and audience!) brings to their art is so raw, so vital, so unconditional, and so...human. The effect of creativity, at such a high concentration, in one short week, makes me want to...go out and create something from nothing.”
— 2016 Participant