Highlighting
Asian Composers
& Their Voices

We are excited to announce our fifth East Zodiac Call for Composers for the 2026–2027 Year of the Goat season! East Zodiac is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting Asian composers and ensuring meaningful representation of Asian descent within the U.S. classical music scene. We aim to build a community that supports an entire ecosystem of music-making with Asian music at its center. Each year, we commission a new work by an Asian composer, inspired by the 12-year Chinese Zodiac cycle, to premiere at our annual Spring concert.

In our first 4 years, East Zodiac raised over $26,000, hosted and commissioned 4 premiere concerts, and invited artist-in-residence to take our commissions further. We also collaborated with local businesses and fellow non-profits to put on multiple concerts and events annually. Our outreach concerts and educational presentations started in Ann Arbor, and have reached Detroit, Chicago, Alaska, and South Carolina. Additionally, we participated in an entrepreneur mentorship program through the University of Michigan, and appeared twice as a presenter at Yale University Innovation Summit.

Applications are now open as we seek our next composer collaborator for the 2027 Year of the Goat. The selected composer will receive a $1000 commission, and their piece will be featured at our annual premiere concert in Spring 2027. This year’s commission will be written for a small chamber group consisting of two clarinets and a piano.

To be considered, please fill out this Google Form, which is also linked in our bio. Submissions are due by August 31st 11:59PM ET. For more information about our organization, visit our website at eastzodiacmusic.com. If you have any questions, you can reach us at contact@eastzodiacmusic.com.

*Note that filling out the form is not a guarantee for being selected! We just want to get to know more about you and your music!