• What Is Noise invites all composers to submit pieces for consideration of performance at Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center in New York City on May 23, 2025 for the What Is Noise 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert.

    Open to: All composers, no restrictions

    Entry fee: Up to 3 works: $50 first work, $30 for second, and $20 for third

    Deadline: December 31, 2024

    • Announcement anticipated no later than February 1, 2025

    Duration: Not to exceed 12 minutes

    Instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Percussion, Piano

    • Compositions may be scored for any combination of the following instruments: flute (including piccolo and alto flute), clarinet (including bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, and percussion (1 player).

    • Works must be written for 2-6 players. Solo pieces will not be considered

    Submission: E-mail whatisnoisemusic@gmail.com with subject line: COMPOSER SPOTLIGHT COMPETITION SUBMISSION

    • A .pdf of the score 

    • A link to streaming audio (MIDI realization acceptable)

    Awards: The winner of the What Is Noise Composer Spotlight Competition will receive

    • Live performance of their work in Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center on May 23, 2025

    • Piece programmed on future What Is Noise season tour

    Contact: E-mail whatisnoisemusic@gmail.com with any questions or concerns

    A central part of What Is Noise’s mission is to partner with composers to connect their music with audiences in a meaningful way. This means we take the time to develop relationships with the composers we work with and provide multiple opportunities for our patrons to connect with the music.

    We have a proven track record performing composer works multiple times in various venues throughout the country including at universities, music festivals, and prestigious halls. We offer live recordings, studio recordings, and videos to composers and promote their music on social media.

    We truly believe in the music we perform and value our relationship with the composer so we can bring their work to life again and again in live performances, recordings, and videos so our audiences can connect with the music. We see each collaboration as an opportunity to work together to pursue a variety of performance opportunities.

  • Calling all young artists ages 16-26!

    Applications are now open for a unique opportunity to perform at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York City on May 23, 2025. Selected artists will showcase their talent by performing Jensen Thomassie's piece “Wander” alongside the award-winning new music ensemble What Is Noise. Don't miss this chance to shine on this prestigious stage!

    What Is Noise believes in providing opportunities for young artists to collaborate with professional musicians, perform in prestigious venues, and pursue professional experiences that will help grow their talents. Throughout our decade together as an ensemble we have a proven history of providing commissions, training, and performance opportunities to young artists to help grow in their own musicianship and build their resumes. This year we are offering young artists a chance to perform alongside What Is Noise in the prestigious Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. The featured work that we will perform together was written by a student composer we believe in and commissioned to write for us entitled "Wander" by Jensen Thomassie.

    Instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Percussion, Piano

    Submission:Interested students should submit an online application that includes:

    1) A link to a 5-minute video excerpt performing a piece of your choice

    2) A link to video performance of excerpts from Jensen Thomassie’s Wander

    Application fee: $100 application processing fee (paid via Paypal through: whatisnoise.net/donate/)

    Deadline: February 7, 2025 with decisions announced no later than March 15, 2025. 

    Selected Winners: A winner on each instrument will be selected and invited to perform Wander alongside What Is Noise performers at the prestigious Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center in New York City. Winners must be available to perform on May 23, 2025 in New York City.

    Questions? Contact whatisnoisemusic@gmail.com