Copland House is truly a blessing. Copland’s genial spirit haunts the house and property, looking over one’s shoulder and offering gentle encouragement and compassion. Being in that wonderful studio makes one want to work harder, more honestly, and uphold the standard to which he so consistently held himself throughout his career.Keith Fitch (2013)

Zibuokle Martinaityte (2009, 2019)

Carlos Carrillo (1998, 2015)

The finest experience I've ever had in residence at an artist's retreat ... The house itself is a wonder -- immediately inviting, comfortable, convenient, every detail considered for attending to the composer’s needs. The studio is perfectly laid out for a composer ... This was one of the most important and creative times in my life.Chester Biscardi (1999)

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 American composers of all backgrounds and identities are invited each year 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)

Copland House actively seeks and especially encourages applications by composers from underrepresented communities. Since each composer occupies the House by individually, only those who are comfortable living and working in solitude are encouraged to apply. A spouse, partner, 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.

Ke-chia Chen (2018)

Michael Gilbertson (2018)

Return to Top

Eligibility

Open to professional composers who are American citizens or permanent residents of all backgrounds and identities, 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 currently closed. A new application will open around April 2025.

Online submissions consist of:

1. Application form.
2. Brief resumé, including a short description of the creative work you plan to do at Copland House.
3. Three scores that best represent your work (PDF only). Multiple movements or excerpts from a single work collectively count towards only one of three required scores. If there is no score or performer's guide, please upload a brief description of the work and the process used for creating it in PDF form.
4. 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. Video recordings are accepted only for works that include an essential, independent visual component (i.e., compositions with integral visuals, works with staged, choreographic, or theatrical elements, etc.). Audio-only recordings should be submitted for all chamber, instrumental, vocal, or symphonic works without a visual component

Any questions about the application can be addressed to the Copland House office at office@coplandhouse.org or (914) 788-4659.

Return to Top

Previous Winners

Alan Pierson, Alvin Singleton, and Steven Stucky at a Residency jury

Past Jurors

Return to Top

Donate to Copland House Residency Awards

Residencies are made possible by contributions from donors like you.

Return to Top