The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) and Birdsong Music Publishing have entered into an exciting new partnership that will further the goal of advancing the careers of young Black composers and their music.

Starting in 2024 all competition winners of the Emerging Black Composers Project (EBCP) shall be given the option to have their work published by Birdsong and enter into a mentorship program. Birdsong Music Publishing is a full, bespoke publishing and management service tailored to the composer’s needs and an Associated Company of the internationally leading HarrisonParrott Group.

“The Emerging Black Composers Project is a bold, far-sighted initiative whose impact continues to grow with every year,” said Head of Birdsong, Sam Wilcock. “In joining this partnership, Birdsong will offer publishing expertise as well as an unrivaled network of industry contacts. We look forward to working with the winning composers to support them in the next steps of their careers and in bringing their work to a wider audience.”

The Emerging Black Composers Project is a ten-year commitment to spotlight early-career Black American composers and their music. It was launched in 2020 with the first-place commission given in 2021 to Trevor Weston. Winners of the project receive a $15,000 award for a new music commission that will receive a world premiere with the San Francisco Symphony. Those winners will now have a new optional opportunity to have their music published by Birdsong.

“Our agreement with Birdsong makes a necessary step in a composers' development that much easier,” said Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education at the San Francisco Symphony and chair of the EBCP selection committee. “Once a piece is composed, it needs life beyond the composer's studio. With Birdsong's support, our winning composers and laureates are assured the help they need, in bringing their music to the world."

With this new partnership, which shall extend for the duration of the Emerging Black Composers Project, Birdsong will provide all of the usual services of a music publisher in respect of each musical work. Birdsong has also retroactively agreed to offer the option to participate in this partnership witih the two most recent winners of the EBCP, Xavier Muzik and Tyler Taylor.

The Emerging Black Composers Projects identifies and promotes inventive Black composers, of any music genre, under the age of 35. Applicants are encouraged to apply today. This year’s EBCP submission deadline is February 1, 2025; winners will be announced in spring 2025.

Learn more about the Emerging Black Composers Project and how to apply. 
Learn more about Birdsong Music Publishing.