ONE OUNCE OPERA'S 9th call for compositions is open until October 15, 2026!
Composers and librettists:
Over the years, you’ve shared with us the barriers to getting your work produced – barriers we dissolve with this showcase. We know how expensive opera can be, and how hard it is to pull all the threads together on your own.
We want to be your launching pad. Your amplifier. Your champion. While putting on a darn good show for our awesome audiences.
We’d like to formally invite you to submit work to our 9th Annual Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera Competition. If selected, your piece will be produced and performed by One Ounce Opera in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin, Texas.
In addition to having your works produced, fully staged, promoted, and performed in Austin by a cast of professional singers, One Ounce Opera:
- Provides a performance fee to each creator of each winning work
- Gifts each composer/librettist with a professional video recording of their work from a live performance
- Spotlights winning composers/librettists in posts that include links to your website, your bio, and a Q&A between you and your cast members
- Highlights you and your work in our newsletter, on social media, and in national and regional press
- Acknowledges each composer/librettist who is able to attend, and invites you to share in post-show celebrations with our cast, audience, and community
This will be the 9th annual Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera (FSOO) – the longest-running short opera showcase in the country. The much-anticipated, award-winning event celebrates new works and contemporary voices. Creators who identify with a historically underrepresented group (women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, etc.) are highly encouraged to apply.
FAQ:
Where can I see the official rules for the FSOO competition? Complete guidelines appear on the entry form.
TL;DR: micro-operas with minimal dialogue running less than 30 minutes, written within the past ten years, with piano accompaniment, in English or Spanish, and no more than six characters. The application link is live September 1-October 15, 2026. You’ll be asked to review the rules on the application in detail before submitting any work. Works that do not fit within the guidelines will not be considered.
When are the performances? FSOO is currently scheduled for July/August 2027.
How many short operas do you choose to be on each annual showcase? It depends. We’ve selected as many as five, but a minimum of three pieces are selected as winners each year.
Where do you stage the shows? One Ounce Opera transforms unexpected spaces, and we’ll return to the intimate-yet-modular warehouse space at Austin’s dadaLab. The vibe of the showcase is purposefully laid back, accessible, and inclusive.
Will you perform my work with orchestra? FSOO performances are with piano only. We will perform from your piano/vocal score, so make sure it’s performance-ready before submitting.
Am I allowed to submit more than one work? YES! As long as each submitted work follows the guidelines of the competition, we welcome multiple entries. Guidelines can be found on the form.
I submitted more than one opera. Could they BOTH be chosen? YES! However, it is highly likely that only one would be chosen.
You guys have chosen my work before. Could I enter again this year? YES. Past winners are welcome to submit new work.
How will I know if my work was chosen? Winners will be notified by email prior to the public announcement. Works will be announced with posts on our social media channels and a post on this site shortly thereafter. This announcement typically happens in late November or early December.
How do I keep up with any new developments in the competition? For the latest details, we strongly suggest following One Ounce Opera on Instagram and adding yourself to our newsletter.
Once again, when exactly is the deadline? The hard-and-fast deadline for entry into FSOO is 11:59pm CT on October 15, 2026. Entries are reviewed on a rolling basis. Only complete applications – with all required materials received as requested by the deadline – will be considered.
I have a question not answered here. How do I get in touch? Click here to send us a message about the competition!
*Note: the 9th annual FSOO competition in 2026-27 is for short operas only. Art songs and song cycles are not being reviewed this fiscal year.
This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
Searching for past performances, photos, or videos? Visit our Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for archives of our work.
