BLACKBIRD CREATIVE LAB
2022 APPLICATION 

Section 1: Short Reflections 

Section 2: Work Samples 

Section 3: Application Information, Survey and Bio 

Section 4: References

Section 1: Short Reflections 

Following are five potential short reflection questions, each of which includes follow-up prompts. Please choose text or video to respond to each question. You are welcome to use a combination of both for your application. If you include written responses, please put all of them in one PDF document. If you include video responses, please put all of them in 1 video file. 

We are including prompts under each question. Feel free to respond to any/all of the prompts that most speak to you. 

● About your work (max 250 words or ~1 minute, 2 minutes max) 

○ Tell us about the past, present and future of your practice and process.

○ What matters the most to you about creating your work? 

○ What is your vision for your work, and what do you want to communicate with it? 

● About You (max 250 words or ~1 minute, 2 minutes max) 

○ Tell us about who you are, what has motivated you in your life and artistic practice, and what you are most passionate about. Focus on your personal story vs. résumé. 

● Collaboration (max 250 words or ~1 minute, 2 minutes max) 

○ What do you think is necessary for productive collaboration? 

○ Tell us about your approach to collaboration, within the music field and beyond. 

● Why the Lab (max 250 words or ~1 minute, 2 minutes max) 

○ Why are you applying to the Lab? Be as specific as possible. 

○ What are your short-term (1-3 year), medium-term (3 - 5) long-term (5-10 year) career goals, and how do you envision your two weeks at The Lab helping you achieve those goals?

● Suggested repertoire/dream projects for the Lab (max 250 words or ~1 minute, 2 minutes max) 

○ Do you have any ideas for specific repertoire, or dream projects of what to create at the Lab? Note: we can’t guarantee these will be included, but would be excited to consider as we shape Lab’s program, and will give us a sense of your imagination. 

Section 2: Work Samples 

Please include a 1-2 minute video intro to your work sample, sharing why you have included these works. 

Format: 

  • URLs with password as needed 

  • mp3 audio files encoded at 256kbps minimum, less than 100MB each ● Please cue videos to desired starting point 

For Musicians: 

2-4 contrasting pieces, live video recording, unedited, and recorded in 2019 or later: ● at least one solo piece and one unconducted chamber work in which your part is prominent 

  • at least one of your submitted pieces should be by a living composer, preferably written within the last 20 years. 

  • 10 minutes max per selection (excerpts from longer performances acceptable) ● Please cue video to desired starting place 

  • Note: members of an ensemble applying separately may submit samples from their shared work. 

For Composers: 

2 contrasting pieces, live audio recording (video if possible): 

  • Live audio recordings preferred. 

  • Excerpts are encouraged. 

  • One must be an unconducted small ensemble work. 

  • Attach PDF of scores for all pieces 

Section 3: Application Information, Survey and Bio

For ensembles, each member should answer the following basic info and demographic questions. 

Basic Information: 

  • First and Last Name 

  • Preferred name 

  • Email 

  • Phone Number 

  • Address 

  • Homebase/Location 

  • If applying as an ensemble, include ensemble name and years of formation/origins of formation 

Survey: 

How did you hear about this opportunity? 

  • Eighth Blackbird communications 

  • School/University, specify: write-in 

  • Mailing list; specify source: Write-In 

  • Social media; specify source: Write-In 

  • Friend, peer, artistic 

  • Colleague, advisor, mentor 

  • Other: Write-In 

Age: Write-In 

Please tell us how you self identify on the gender spectrum: 

  • Self Describe write in 

  • Prefer not to share 

Select Pronouns you use: 

  • She / her 

  • He / him 

  • They / Them 

  • Self Described (provide below, with text box) 

  • Prefer not to share 

Which categories best describe you, check all that apply: 

  • African, African-American, or Black 

  • Arab, Middle Eastern, or North African

  • Asian, South Asian, of Southeast Asian 

  • Hispanic, Latina/o, or Latinx 

  • Native American, Indigenous, or First Nation 

  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 

  • White or Caucasian 

  • Self describe: Write-In 

  • Prefer not share 

Where are you currently living? Write-In 

Do you care to share with us your country of origin? Write-In 

Do you identify as a person with a disability? 

  • Yes, I have a disability (or previously had a disability) 

  • No, I do not have a disability 

  • Prefer to Self-Describe: Write-In 

  • Prefer Not to Share 

If you need any accommodations during the Lab for physical space and/or otherwise would you please specify. Write-In 

Are there any other aspects of your identity that you would like to share in this application? Write-In 

Bio: 

Please submit a brief biography/history, the way you would want it presented in program notes (200 word max, PDF)) 

Section 4: References 

Please include contact information for two personal references who know you well and can address who you are as a person and artist. Share who the references are in terms of job title and how long they have known you. For example, "Ayannah Smith, Director of Awesome Music Institute, they have known me for ~5 years, 555-555-5555.” 

We will only contact references for top applicants.

Note: To easily convert a word document into a PDF, see here.