Copland House Residency Awards
Application submission deadline: June 1
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![]() Zibuokle Martinaityte (2009, 2019) |
![]() Derek Bermel (2006) |
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Guidelines

Nilo Alcala (2016)
The Copland House Residency Awards were inspired by Copland's exceptional legacy of support for his fellow composers. Based at Copland House, a National Historic Landmark and an Official Project of the federal Save America's Treasures program, the Copland House Residency Awards have earned nationwide recognition and esteem since they began in November 1998.
Typically, eight to ten gifted, emerging or mid-career American composers each year are invited to reside, one at a time, at Rock Hill, Aaron Copland's restored, longtime New York home. There, they can focus on their creative work, free from the distractions of daily life and other professional responsibilities. As guests of Copland House for three to eight weeks, their meals, housekeeping, local transportation, and other needs are provided for.
Situated on three secluded acres near historic Hudson River towns like Sleepy Hollow, Ossining, Tarrytown, and Peekskill, Rock Hill offers the serene, comfortable environment Copland so enjoyed, yet is only one hour outside of New York City. The spacious yet unassuming 1940s house that Copland regarded as "my hideaway, my solitude" reflects his rugged elegance and natural simplicity.

Angel Lam (2011)
Since each composer occupies the House by him/herself, only those individuals who are comfortable living and working in solitude are encouraged to apply. A spouse or companion is welcome, but children and pets are not allowed.
Recipients of the Copland House Residency Award also become eligible for other opportunities, including the Sylvia Goldstein Awards (to help support the performance or recording of works written at least in part at Copland House); What's the Score? commissions (for short, intermediate-level works for high school ensembles), the
Hoff-Barthelson/Copland House Commissions (for short chamber works composed for intermediate-level student ensembles), and others; and various prospective performance and recording projects with our internationally-acclaimed Music from Copland House ensemble.
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![]() Huck Hodge (2018) |
![]() Carlos Carrillo (1998, 2015) |
Eligibility
Open to emerging or mid-career professional composers who are American citizens or permanent residents, writing in any genre. (Proof of citizenship or resident status - in the form of U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Board of Elections registration card, green card, or other valid USCIS document [NOT driver's licenses or Social Security card] may be requested of all applicants.) Small collaborative teams are also welcome to apply. Previous recipients of the Copland House Residency Awards may re-apply four years after the completion of your last residency. Since the Copland House Residency Awards are based on a rotating jury process, being chosen as a Resident one year does not automatically guarantee selection in another year.
Application Process
The primary criterion for the Copland House Residency Awards is artistic quality, as evidenced by compositions submitted for consideration.
Online applications must be submitted by June 1 at 11:59pm. All applications will be reviewed by a panel of eminent musicians. Late or incomplete submissions will be disqualified. Award recipients will usually be notified by mid- or late-summer. Residencies will be scheduled for the period November 1 of the application year through October 31 of the following year.
The application period is now closed. Please contact our office with any questions
Online submissions consist of:
- Application form.
- Brief resumé, including a short description of the creative work you plan to do at Copland House.
- Three scores that best represent your work (PDF only).
- Recordings of each of these three works. If any are not available, recordings of other works may be be substituted. MIDI recordings are acceptable but not encouraged. If applicable, track and/or movement/section should be clearly listed.
Any questions about the application can be addressed to the Copland House office at office@coplandhouse.org or (914) 788-4659.
Previous Winners

Alan Pierson, Alvin Singleton, and Steven Stucky at a Residency jury
Past Jurors
(partial list)
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Donate to Copland House Residency Awards
Residencies are made possible by contributions from donors like you.