2025-26 New Generation Film Composer’s Project

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: NEW GENERATION FILM COMPOSITION PROGRAM

Composing Music for Animated Film

Deadline:  November 26, 2025

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) invites early-career and advanced student composers to apply for this exciting opportunity to compose original music for an animated short film.

Selected composers will score a short film created by former students of Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Animation program. Each participant will be paired with an experienced film composer-mentor for guidance on:

  • spotting the film
  • choosing virtual instrumentation and sound libraries
  • composing and synchronizing music to picture
  • recording and synchronizing the score

Participants will also receive advice from SPO Music Director Ronald Royer, who will lead an orientation on film scoring logistics.

Completed films will be featured on the SPO YouTube Channel between April and July 2026.

Note: Applicants may also apply to the New Generation Composers Project, which involves writing a concert piece for clarinet and string quartet.  However, composers can participate in only one of these programs per year.

ELIGIBILITY

  • The project is open to early-career and student composers who are Canadian citizens and permanent residents, aged 18 to 35. Occasionally older applicants are considered where financial or life circumstances delayed the applicant’s access to higher education. 
  • The program is focused on Canada-based composers. Composers can be involved in-person or online. 
  • Composers are not required to have prior film scoring experience.
  • Composers must be equipped with a suitable computer, scoring software such as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or notation software, and sample libraries or software synthesizers.
  • Examples of suitable software include:
    • DAW – Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Reaper
    • Notation: Sibelius, Finale, Dorico, MuseScore 
    • Sample Libraries: Spitfire BBC Orchestra, Vienna Symphonic Library, Orchestral Tools Layers, etc.

About the SPO New Generation Film Composer’s program:

  • Results will be announced before January 1, 2026.
  • An important aspect of this project is to involve the selected composers in musical collaboration with their composer mentors through attending at least two mentorship meetings and five group workshops via Zoom.
  • Workshops (via Zoom) will run from mid-February to mid-April 2026, dates TBA.
  • Each composer receives an animated film to score, between 2 and 4 minutes in length. The films have been previously completed as thesis projects by students from Sheridan College.
  • Scores may include orchestral, electronic or experimental sounds.
  • Once completed, the scored films may only be shared publicly through the SPO YouTube channel.
  • Participants will be chosen based on the quality of work, diversity/equity, effective instrumental writing, and other criteria.
  • The co-ordinator for this project is Bruno Degazio, SPO Composer-in-Residence Emeritus. SPO Music Director, Ronald Royer, current Composer-in-Residence and other film/TV composers and media professionals will be involved.

View previous films on the SPO’s Animated Films Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnNaA-kDVr4LxxbF15gXvxtYuG0CIfYGR

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

  • Completed Online Application Form (see below)
  • CV or Resumé: Focus on your composition experience and include contact information. 
  • Two examples of your music:
    • Preferably scored to picture, but concert works are also accepted.
    • Live performance or MIDI recordings are both acceptable.
    • Acceptable File formats are:
      • MP3 recordings (audio only).
      • MP4 video files (for audio and video).
      • PDF for notated scores.
      • Streaming links (SoundCloud, YouTube, etc.) must be valid for at least one month after the deadline. Please ensure that the link is valid for at least one month following the deadline.

Deadline for Submissions: November 26, 2025

Attention: Bruno Degazio, SPO New Generation Film Composer Workshops  Coordinator

Email: spo@spo.ca 

Website: www.spo.ca  

Apply Now:

This form is currently closed for submissions.

SPO New Generation Artist and Composer Programs are made possible through the generous support of The City of Toronto (Film and Entertainment Industries, Music Office), The Gooder Foundation and the SOCAN Foundation. 

About the SPO:  

The SPO is a community orchestra, dedicated to enriching our community through high-quality musical performances. The orchestra also presents a series of professional chamber music concerts.

An important part of our mandate is supporting, encouraging and mentoring new generation performers and composers. The SPO has produced nine professional commercial albums, including Canadian Panorama (the winds of the SPO), Canadian Expedition (various ensembles from the orchestra), Journey Through Night (Odin Quartet, ensemble-in-residence), Jamaican Quartets (Ted Runcie, composer, Odin Quartet), Between the Lines (Odin Quartet), Night Music, Chamber Music of Ronald Royer (various ensembles), Everything Waits for the Lilacs (Alexander Panizza, piano), Mystic Journey (The Ezra Duo) and Songs of Hope (mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan and the SPO chamber ensemble). These recordings feature music by Ontario composers and were designed to help promote Canadian composers and performers worldwide. Two more albums will be released during the 2025-2026 season.

 

For More Information – Links:

SPO website: https://spo.ca/

Odin Quartet Website – http://www.odinquartet.com/

2024-2025 New Generation Film Composer’s Project

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: NEW GENERATION FILM COMPOSITION PROGRAM

Composing Music for Animated Film

Deadline:  October 24, 2024

 

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is issuing a call for proposals for early career and advanced student composers wanting to write music for animated film.

Successful applicants will write music for animated short films created by students of world-renowned Sheridan College Bachelor of Animation program.  During the writing process, each selected applicant will be paired with an experienced film composer who acts as a mentor: helping with advice on spotting the film; choosing the synthesized instrumentation; writing the music; recording and synchronization to picture.

Participants will also be supported and advised by SPO music director Ronald Royer and will also take part in an orientation meeting to discuss the logistics of synchronizing to video. 

Completed animation scores will be published on the SPO’s YouTube channel from April to July 2025.  

Composers can also separately apply to the SPO’s New Generation Composer’s Project (link), writing a short concert piece for clarinet and string quartet. If a composer is accepted into both programs, they will need to choose one. Composers will not be able to participate in both programs in the same year.

ELIGIBILITY

  • The project is open to early-career and student composers who are Canadian citizens and permanent residents, aged 18 to 35.  (Occasionally older applicants are considered where financial or life circumstances delayed the applicant’s access to higher education). 
  • The program is focused on Canada-based composers. Composers can be involved in-person or online. 
  • Composers are not required to have prior film scoring experience.
  • Composers must be equipped with a suitable computer, scoring software such as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or notation software, and sample libraries or software synthesizers.
  • Examples of suitable software include:
    • DAW – Cubase; Logic; Digital Performer; FL Studio; Reaper;
    • Notation: Sibelius, Finale, or Dorico (all with NotePerformer)
    • Sample Libraries: g. Vienna Symphonic Library, Spitfire BBC Orchestra, Orchestral Tools Layers, and many others.

About the SPO New Generation Film Composer’s program:

  • Animated films from graduates of the Sheridan College Animation program will be provided for scoring purposes. The films are between one and four minutes long and will be provided to participants as MP4 video files. Note that these video files cannot be used outside this program and cannot be shared with others except through the SPO’s Youtube channel.
  • Scored music can include orchestral instruments (via the appropriate sample library), electronic/digital instruments, musique concrete or any other sounds deemed appropriate.
  • Selected composers are expected to participate in a minimum of two mentorship meetings. 
  • Composers are encouraged to listen and view previously scored films on the SPO’s Youtube channel in the Animated Films Playlist.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

  • Completed Application Form (see below)
  • CV or Resume: Attach a PDF file focusing on your composition activity, including any film-scoring related projects. Be sure to include a valid email address and other appropriate contact information. 
  • Two examples of your music: Recordings of two pieces must be submitted. These may be of music alone or music scored to picture.
    • Live performance or MIDI recordings are both acceptable.
    • Acceptable File formats are:
      • MP3 recordings (audio only).
      • MP4 video files (for audio and video).
      • Links to streaming services such as SoundCloud for audio and Youtube for video are also acceptable. Please ensure that the link is valid for at least one month following the deadline. 

APPLY:

This form is currently closed for submissions.

New Generation Composer Program Videos

The New Generation  Composer’s Program is offered in collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre and involves the participation of ensembles selected annually,

I Will Whisper Your Name: Anika France Forget

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Tonight — Yuhan Zhou

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The Midnight Garden — Fwu/Toussi

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Rose Leaves — Elienna Wang Composer

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Walk With Me — Shreya Jha, composer

Read More
Prelude to Hope Concert at Heliconian Hall, April 26, 2024

Eternal Embrace –Rachel McFarlane

Read More
Odin Quartet perform "Of Wisdom" by Lauren Greenberg

OF WISDOM – Lauren Greenberg – Odin Quartet 

Read More

CALL OF THE PAPER KITE – Kevin Zi-Xiao He – Alexander Panizza

Read More

EMERGENCE – Adam Taback (New Generation Composer) – Odin Quartet

Read More
« Prev12Next »

The New Generation Film Composer Program is made possible through the support of:

New Generation Musicians 2022-23 (Call for Strings Players)

New Generation Musician Program:

Orchestra positions for students and emerging professionals. For the rest of the 2022-2023 season, the SPO is taking applications from string players. Participants of this program are paid to perform with the SPO, will receive mentoring, and are eligible for other possible opportunities. Please apply below,  detailing your musical training and experience.

 

New Generation Musicians Application
Name
Name
First
Last
Check all that apply

The New Generation Artists Program is made possible through the support of:

2023-24 New Generation Film Composer’s Project

Call for Proposals: Composing Music for Animated Film

Deadline: Dec 15, 2023

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is issuing a call for proposals for early career and advanced student composers wanting to write music for animated film.

Four composers will be selected to write music for animated short films created by students of world-renowned Sheridan College Bachelor of Animation program.

During the writing process, each selected applicant will be paired with an experienced film composer who acts as a mentor: helping with advice on spotting the film; choosing the synthesized instrumentation; writing the music; recording and synchronization to picture.

Participants will also be supported and advised by SPO music director Ronald Royer and will also take part in an orientation meeting to discuss the logistics of synchronizing to video. 

Completed animation scores will be published on the SPO’s YouTube channel from April to July 2024.  

Composers can also apply for the SPO’s New Generation Composer’s Project, writing for female voice and piano. If a composer applies for and gets accepted into both programs, they will need to choose one. Composers will not be able to participate in both programs in the same year.

ELIGIBILITY

  • The project is open to early-career and student composers who are Canadian citizens and permanent residents, aged 18 to 35. 
  • The program is focused on Canada-based composers. Composers can be involved in-person or online. 
  • Composers are not required to have prior film scoring experience.
  • Composers must be equipped with a suitable computer, scoring software such as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or notation software, and sample libraries or software synthesizers.
  • Examples of suitable software include:
    • DAW – Cubase; Logic; Digital Performer; FL Studio; Reaper;
    • Notation: Sibelius, Finale, or Dorico (all with NotePerformer)
    • Sample Libraries: g. Vienna Symphonic Library, Spitfire BBC Orchestra, Orchestral Tools Layers, and many others.

About the SPO New Generation Film Composer’s program:

  • Animated films from graduates of the Sheridan College Animation program will be provided for scoring purposes. The films are between one and four minutes long and will be provided to participants as MP4 video files. Note that these video files cannot be used outside this program and cannot be shared with others except through the SPO’s Youtube channel.
  • Scored music can include orchestral instruments (via the appropriate sample library), electronic/digital instruments, musique concrete or any other sounds deemed appropriate.
  • Selected composers are expected to participate in a minimum of two mentorship meetings. Additional mentorship sessions can be arranged.
  • Composers are encouraged to listen and view previously scored films on the SPO’s Youtube channel in the Animated Films Playlist.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

  • Completed Application Form (see below)
  • CV or Resume: Attach a PDF file focusing on your composition activity, including any film-scoring related projects. Be sure to include a valid email address and other appropriate contact information. 
  • Two examples of your music: Recordings of two pieces must be submitted. These may be of music alone or music scored to picture.
    • Live performance or MIDI recordings are both acceptable.
    • Acceptable File formats are:
      • MP3 recordings (audio only).
      • MP4 video files (for audio and video).
      • Links to streaming services such as SoundCloud for audio and Youtube for video are also acceptable. Please ensure that the link is valid for at least one month following the deadline. 

APPLY:

This form is currently closed for submissions.