CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Versipel New Music, in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Cale Jayden, is pleased to announce a Call For Proposals to commission a composer based in New Orleans and the immediate surrounding Southeastern Louisiana area to write an original soundtrack for Jayden’s new short documentary film titled THE EMPRESS OF DANCE.

The film will premiere with a live performance of the soundtrack by the Versipel Collective as a part of Batture Contemporary 2027.

Apply here until July 4th 11:59pm

PROJECT SYNOPSIS:

Forgoing comfort and convention, a dancer commits to a lifetime of forfeited milestones, isolating successes, and enduring tolls on both mind and body. But who are they if they stop? Who would they have been if they had? The dancer’s personal story will explore the sacrifices and obsession that come with the pursuit of an artistic career. The story is rooted in dance but extends beyond it, using the athleticism and intensity of the discipline to symbolize the broader sacrifices artists choose to make. Among millions of artists, all vying to be the lucky few who “make it,” is your artistry worth sacrificing the other lives you could have lived?

THE EMPRESS OF DANCE affirms the legitimacy of pursuing artistic passion, while honestly portraying its cost. By uniting cinematic documentary film with live orchestral performance, the preview screening becomes a cultural event that promotes multi-disciplinary engagement and expands audiences for contemporary music, documentary film, and dance. The preview screening asks, “Is your art worth the life you sacrifice for it?” and invites these intersecting communities to answer.

SOUNDTRACK SPECIFICATIONS:

The commissioned composer will write a completely original soundtrack scored for the Versipel Collective within the following instrumentation:

  • mezzo-soprano
  • piccolo/flute/alto flute
  • clarinet/bass clarinet
  • alto/tenor/baritone saxophone
  • violin (2 players)
  • viola
  • cello
  • piano/synthesizer
  • percussion

The soundtrack’s musical style is flexible with the limitation that it is a purely acoustic aural work with no visual theatrical elements (such as performer choreography, non-traditional performer placement, visual lighting effects, etc). The composer will collaborate closely with Jayden to ensure that the soundtrack aligns with the vision and narrative of THE EMPRESS OF DANCE both broadly and for high-impact moments within the documentary. While the exact amount of needed music is unknown, 20-25 minutes is a rough estimate.

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to composers of all ages, backgrounds, or career-stage that are based in the New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana area. Composers within Versipel New Music are also eligible to apply, as proposals will be adjudicated by an independent panel of judges outside of the Versipel New Music organization.

The selected composer must commit to regular virtual and in-person involvement with Jayden, his team, and Versipel New Music during the creative process, production, and marketing/publicity.

Versipel New Music strongly encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, career stage, or traditional classical music upbringing.

FEES:

This opportunity has no application fee.

ONLINE APPLICATION:

Applicants will be asked to submit an online application form. The application form will ask for:

  • Basic Identifying Information
  • Information regarding your creative practice both in and out of the context of composing for film
  • Work Samples

A sample of the full application questions is located here.

DATES AND DEADLINES:

  • June 15, 2026: Call for Proposals Application Form Opens
  • July 4, 2026: Call for Proposals Application Form Closes
  • August 31, 2026: Winner Announced

SELECTION PROCESS:

All applications will go through a multi-step adjudication process:

Step One: Panel Review – A panel of composers and film music specialists hired outside of Versipel New Music (adjudicators) will review all applications and score them. All applications that pass a predefined scoring threshold will advance to Step Two. More details can be found on our Panel Review Process Page.

Step Two: Director Review – Applications that advance to Step Two will be further reviewed by Director Cale Jayden. Jayden will choose a select number of candidates to advance to Step Three based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with Jayden’s artistic vision
  • Collaborative spirit
  • Availability/flexibility/communication
  • Understanding of thematic development, leitmotifs, and story circle/save-the-cat structure
  • Willingness to prioritize story over musical complexity

Step Three: Director Interview

Composers that advance from Step Two (finalists) will be invited to a 30-60m in-person interview with Cale Jayden. This interview will be a broad discussion of the project’s vision, timeline, and logistics. Jayden will then consult with Verispel New Music’s Executive Team before selecting the winning composer by August 31st, 2026.

INVITATION AND CONTRACT:

The winning composer will be invited to enter into a contractual agreement with Jayden and Versipel New Music with a commissioning fee at a rate no less than $250/minute of music and the potential for a small percentage of profit-sharing, the exact details of which will be negotiated based on final specifications around scope, instrumentation, and available budget.

Apply here until July 4th 11:59pm

Questions? Contact us.

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