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/

New Generation Composers’ Program 2025-26

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is issuing a call for proposals for early career and advanced student composers wanting to write for a string quartet. Four composers will be selected to write a short piece for the Odin Quartet. This is the sixth edition of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Generation Composer’s Project.

Continue reading

Charbel Rouhana demonstrates the Oud

World-renowned oud soloist Charbel Rouhana will be joining the SPO on November 1, 2025 for the groundbreaking concert, “Crossroads“.  Here he is demonstrating the sound and technique of playing this lovely middle-eastern instrument. 

SPO Musical Visitors Program

With the support of funding from Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program, the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is responding to a community need voiced by longterm care facilities. The benefits of live music to promote social interaction, lift spirits and spark memories is supported by medical research. We are looking for SPO Musicians interested in joining us for this pilot project.

This program will feature SPO musicians and a few others (e.g. a singer, pianist, or guitarist). It is a paying gig. Running from late August 2025 through March 2026, there are two components for the program.

  • Each selected ensemble unit will present a one-hour chamber music event to an audience of seniors, which will be presented three times in three different Scarborough seniors’ residences.  There will be approximately seven ensemble units selected for this program.
  • One musician will visit a individual seniors who have serious health issues and would appreciate some attention through music and conversation. 

Here are some details: 

1. Musicians can choose to be involved with one or both programs. It is possible a musician could play for both programs in a single visit. These programs will be co-ordinated by Ted Runcie. 

2. For the chamber music events:

  • A small ensemble of 2 to 4 musicians will be paid for one rehearsal and three concerts. An individual musician will be paid for three concerts.
  • Musicians will perform a program featuring accessible classical music and arrangements of more popular music (including movie tunes, Broadway songs, pop songs, etc.). There is a budget to buy sheet music for non-classical music.
  • The program will include performing music and interacting with the seniors, which could include providing information about the music, talking to seniors, asking them to sing along to a popular song, Christmas music, etc.
  • At the end of the event, musicians will ask for and record feedback from the seniors. This will be a short 5 to 7 min. session. Musicians will be given a form to work from.
  • Chamber music concerts/events will occur mainly on weekdays, morning or afternoon. An occasional evening or Saturday concert is possible. It could be possible to book two concerts in one day. 

3. For the individual senior visit program, musicians will coordinate with Ted Runcie for the specifics. 

4. Please contact the SPO for specific pay information.

5. There will be a one-hour paid mandatory online training session for musicians involved in the program, to help you understand what the senior homes are looking for. 

6. Musicians can apply as an individual or an ensemble. 

New Horizons for Seniors Musician Opportunity
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Did you play with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2024-25 Season

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Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra Appoints Michael Jones as New Executive Director

 The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Michael Jones as its new Executive Director, effective August 1 2025. This decision follows a comprehensive succession-planning and search process, part of SPO’s two-year capacity-building initiative supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and led by interim Executive Director, Linda Rogers. “After an extensive search process, we are confident Michael is the right person to build on SPO’s track record of success and take the orchestra to the next level. “said Paul Tichauer, SPO’s Board Chair

Michael Jones brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in arts management to the SPO. Most recently, he served as the CEO of SK Arts, the provincial arts funder for Saskatchewan, where he successfully managed an annual budget of nearly $10 million in support of artists. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in rebuilding relationships between the agency, the government, and the arts community.

Prior to his leadership at SK Arts, Michael directed the performing arts program for the Metcalf Foundation, one of Canada’s largest private family foundations dedicated to strategic support in the arts. His extensive experience also includes senior administrative roles at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Arraymusic, the Muki Baum Association, and Choirs Ontario.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts in Music from Western University, along with certification in public sector governance from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. Since retiring from SK Arts, he has established a sole proprietorship arts management firm in Toronto, providing cluster management services to small arts organizations. In addition to his role at SPO, he serves as the Editorial Director for Opera Canada magazine and has completed various short-term contracts for Arts Consultants Canada and SK Arts.

In recognition of his contributions to the arts sector, Michael was honored in 2022 as one of the first 70 recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in Saskatchewan. As an artist, he has directed and served as music director on numerous productions for esteemed organizations, including Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, and Theatre Scarborough, with notable credits such as *Amadeus*, *Falsettos*, and *Next to Normal*.

“We are excited to welcome Michael Jones to the SPO family,” said Ronald Royer, SPO’s Artistic Director.  “His extensive experience and passion for the arts will be invaluable as we prepare for our upcoming Season 2025-2026 and continue to enrich the cultural landscape of Scarborough.”

All Things Serve the Earth

If you missed the May 3 premiere of All Things Serve the Earth, the full 6 minute video is available for viewing now on YouTube. Just click the title or image above.

ABOUT THE VIDEO

* Performers: **
Danielle MacMillan, mezzo-soprano Ronald Royer, Conductor **
SPO Chamber Players: ** Kaye Royer, Clarinet Kristin Day, Bassoon Gilles Thibodeau, Horn Lisa Tahara, Piano Odin Quartet: Tanya Charles, Violin Alex Toskov, Violin Matthew Antal, Viola Samuel Bisson, Cello

Ronald Royer, Producer Matt Antal, Recording Engineer; Bruno Degazio – video edit and sub-titles.

Akashic Classics – Distributed by The SRG ILS Group • Universal Music Group Notes about the video:

This music video is a rich visual collage inspired by Bruno Degazio’s “All Things Serve the Earth,” the fourth of Thomas Aquinas’s Seven Parables of the Coming of Dawn.

At this pivotal point in the series, Sophia—an embodiment of Wisdom—has survived near-drowning, isolation, and imprisonment. Through these trials, she begins to transmute suffering into meaning. This parable marks the return of warmth and connection after a long night of the soul, as hope quietly reenters the story. Visual artist

Jeff Lyons brings this transformation to life through a stunning montage of famous paintings brought to life with AI, and layered with special effects and imagery. Drawing from the artists and mystics of Aquinas’s era and later—Breughel, Bosch, Carpaccio, and others—Lyons creates a dreamlike landscape that mirrors both Sophia’s inner journey and the broader spiritual awakening of the narrative.

All Things Serve the Earth is featured on the SPO album Songs of Hope, conducted and produced by Ron Royer, performed by mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan and the SPO Chamber Ensemble. The album is available on all major streaming platforms.

Songs of Hope

Stream on your favorite service

Tracks:

1.      Shreya Jha: Walk With Me (5:03)  [notes and lyrics]

2.      Elienna Wang: Rosé Leaves (5:36) [notes and lyrics]

3.      Ted Runcie: Where Shadow Chases Light (5:42) [notes and lyrics]

4.      Leela Gilday: All Alone (4:11)

5.      Daniel Mehdizadeh: New Castles (5:12) [notes and lyrics]

6.      Rachel McFarlane: Eternal Embrace (4:15) [notes and lyrics]

7.      Bruno Degazio: Seven Parables of the Rising Dawn (17:09) [notes and lyrics]

8-10.  Ronald Royer: Women of Dante’s Divine Comedy, Three Songs [notes and texts]

    • Francesca da Rimini (Inferno) (6:05)
    •  Sapia of Siena (Purgatory) (6:42)
    • Beatrice (Paradise) (5:55)

Danielle MacMillan, Mezzo Soprano (Tr. 1-10)

Maghan McPhee, Soprano (Tr. 3, 5)

Ronald Royer, Conductor (Tr. 1, 6-10)

Ted Runcie, Conductor (Tr. 3)

SPO Chamber Players:  

Kaye Royer, Clarinet (Tr. 1, 3, 6-10)

Kristin Day, Bassoon (Tr. 7-10)

Gilles Thibodeau, Horn (Tr. 1, 3, 7-10)

Lisa Tahara, Piano (Tr. 1-3, 5, 7-10)

Odin Quartet:

Tanya Charles, Violin (Tr. 1, 3, 4, 6-10)

Alex Toskov, Violin (Tr. 3, 4, 6-10)

Matthew Antal, Viola (1-4, 6-10)

Samuel Bisson, Cello (1, 3-10)

Production:

Matt Antal, Recording Engineer; Jamie Way, Cover Design; Ronald Royer, Producer

Danielle MacMillan, mezzo
Maghan McPhee, soprano
Odin Quartet

Artistic Statement:

In 2023, the SPO decided to embark on a musical journey. We asked ourselves: “How can artists respond to the times in which we live?” Our answer was to create a song cycle embracing the theme, “through adversity, hope”.  We brought together composers with a variety of lived experiences and cultural perspectives, who were also at different stages of their lives and careers. We selected 2 singers and chose an ensemble of 8 musicians from the SPO community, including our ensemble-in-residence, the Odin Quartet. We asked mezzo soprano Danielle MacMillan to be involved as we developed the various stories, lyrics, and music. Some of our composers wrote their own lyrics, and others were inspired by and adapted historical works. Each composer maintained their own musical voice but worked collaboratively while creating their lyrics and music. The SPO wanted to create a unified song cycle with the goal of engaging and touching our audience with music that finds hope in the face of challenge. For the next stage, Songs of Hope was workshopped, rehearsed, performed and finally recorded. Soprano Maghan McPhee summed it up for our team,

“For me, this project reaffirmed a core truth: music isn’t just about notes and rhythms—it’s about the stories we tell and the bonds we form along the way.Here’s to hope, collaboration, and the enduring power of art to connect us all.”

Acknowledgements:

On behalf of the SPO, I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment to the project and their great work, including our composers, performers, recording team, SPO administrative team, and our record label. I also want to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in developing Songs of Hope. We enjoyed creating this album, and we hope you, our audience, will enjoy listening.

Ronald Royer

Songs of Hope project development and workshopping was made possible through the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Made in Canada – © ℗ 2025 Akashic Entertainment Recordings, Licensed from the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra – All Rights Reserved