F.A.Q.

• Am I eligible to apply for FUSE: Collaborations in Song?

If you are a singer, composer, or poet, the answer is yes! There are no restrictions based on factors like age or experience, or prior participation in the FUSE program. However, there are a few things you should know we do prioritize, especially for singers:

1. We prioritize artists with a strong collaborative spirit and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with audiences through their art.

2. We are committed to lifting up voices who have been historically excluded from the creative process.

3. We prioritize singers who are members of Boston Singers’ Resource and live in the New England area.

4. Artists will be expected to be available for our virtual Meet & Greet on March 28 from 3-5pm EDT, as it is an important part of the FUSE process.

Check out the videos below, or our YouTube playlist, to see examples of the work of previous successful applicants!

• Is there a fee for artists to apply, or to participate?

Heck no! We are proud to be one of the few song development programs that does not charge any artist fees and, in fact, awards a small stipend to each artist. Each artist will also receive a comp ticket for one guest and a professional recording of the final performance.

• Are there any required parameters for the song cycles?

For the most part, the sky’s the limit! Song cycles written for FUSE should consist of multiple songs, contain between 8-12 minutes of music, and be scored for voice & piano only. (For composers: our venue does not permit prepared piano techniques.)

• Does the singer have to be memorized for the performance?

Yes, we do ask our singers to be off-book. This results in a much more engaging experience for the audience and a rewarding one for all artists involved! Singers will have well over a month to memorize their music and can always request additional coachings.

• I don’t live anywhere near Boston. Can I request a travel stipend to attend rehearsals or the performance?

Would that we could accommodate such a request! Unfortunately our current budget does not allow for travel stipends. We do make every effort to include out-of-town composers and poets in our rehearsals via Zoom, and organize a virtual watch party of the performance once the video is up on our YouTube channel. Of course, if you are able to make the trip, we’d love to see you!

• Is there a dress rehearsal?

While we don’t have an official dress rehearsal in the space, we do reserve 15 minutes with each singer prior to the performance for a sound check in which we can run most, if not all, of each song cycle.

• Can I use generative AI software to help create my songs?

We really hope you won’t! Catalyst New Music is an AI-Free Zone, and we’re proud to offer programs like FUSE which champion human creativity and connection. If you need somebody to bounce ideas off of, reach out to your fellow artists rather than a chatbot! You can read more about Catalyst’s generative AI policies HERE.

• Who’s even running this program?

FUSE: Collaborations in Song is a co-production of Catalyst New Music & Boston Singers’ Resource, both 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts. The program is administered by Brendon Shapiro, Co-Artistic Director of Catalyst New Music and former Artistic Director of Boston Singers’ Resource, Ryan Mewhorter, Executive Director of Boston Singers’ Resource, and Omar Najmi, Co-Artistic Director of Catalyst New Music, with additional support from the staff and board of both organizations.