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Image caption: Composer Simon Andrews (left), winner of the LCO 2025 Call-for Scores, and LCO Music Director Orlando Cela, rehearsing Andrews\u2019 work. Photo credit: Noya Photo.<\/em><\/p>\n
Now in its sixth year, the competition exemplifies the LCO\u2019s charitable mission: to make high-quality classical music freely accessible to all while promoting today\u2019s living composers. All LCO concerts are free to attend, ensuring that every new work premiered through the Call for Scores reaches audiences regardless of financial means.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that access and innovation go hand in hand,\u201d says Orlando Cela, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. \u201cThis competition helps us bring bold, diverse voices to the stage\u2014voices that reflect our time and expand the musical conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Call welcomes submissions in all contemporary styles, with special encouragement for works engaging with themes of social justice, inclusion, or community. Submissions must be 8\u201340 minutes long and scored for 8\u201324 players drawn from LCO\u2019s instrumentation (winds, brass, percussion, harp, keyboard, and strings). Multimedia and electronic elements are also permitted.<\/p>\n
The deadline for submission is January 25, 2026. The Full Guidelines and Submission Portal can be found here: https:\/\/lowellchamberorchestra.org\/2026-call-for-scores<\/a><\/p>\n By combining social purpose with artistic excellence, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra continues to redefine what a modern orchestra can be\u2014one that serves both its community and the future of music. The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell\u2019s first and only professional orchestra. They provide the area with an ensemble that presents music at a very high level, of all styles and time periods, entirely free to the general population.<\/p>\n Now in its seventh season, the LCO has presented concerts that encompass established orchestral repertoire as well as multimedia works, stage works, lecture-presentations, and chamber music. Lowell is a gateway community, rich in cultural diversity but economically challenged in many respects so access to high-quality arts is essential.<\/p>\n The interactive nature of the performances allows a personalized entryway to audiences who many not have enjoyed arts programming previously. There is a diverse international and diverse nature of the players as reflective of the Lowell community itself.<\/p>\n Learn more: https:\/\/lowellchamberorchestra.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n