The Woody Guthrie Center presents the next chapter of Common Chords, a concert series hosted in our intimate 59-seat theater. Rooted in our shared values of social justice, equality, and compassion, this second submission season features one application period encompassing both spring and fall performances. Across the year, Common Chords will explore evolving themes grounded in the rich traditions of folk music. From global reinterpretations of Woody Guthrie’s work to experimental blends at the edges of folk, Common Chords invites community to gather and connect through music.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted to Common Chords. We are inspired by the creativity and passion reflected in the submissions we received.
We’ll be reaching out soon to performers who submitted, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
If you missed the submission deadline, don’t fret, we anticipate additional opportunities to submit, so stay tuned for future announcements.
This application cycle for Common Chords will support performances across both the spring and fall seasons. A single application period will be used to curate artists for the full year. Previous season submissions will not be considered for the 2026 dates.
Musicians interested in participating are invited to apply using the form below. Submissions or inquiries made outside the form below will not be considered for 2026 dates.
Help us strike a new chord together.
Common Chords performers will be musicians whose work:
Woody Guthrie Center provides:
Submissions for the second year of Common Chords are open until Sunday, March 8 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
The Woody Guthrie Center accepts submissions from individuals or groups interested in performing in the Common Chords concert series across both spring and fall seasons. This submission process will be open during the dates listed above.
Performances will take place at the Woody Guthrie Center Theater in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Exact performance dates will be determined during the artist selection process and are subject to factors including, but not limited to, venue and performer availability.
Please review the guidelines below before submitting. All submissions must be made using the form below. Proposals submitted through alternative methods, or that are incomplete, will not be considered. When submitting performance samples, please do not include password-protected clips.
Common Chords is open to all performers whose work draws from folk traditions, and/or explores themes of community and social change. Submissions of both established and emerging artists will be considered. Woody Guthrie Center’s mission and emphasis is to celebrate the life, music, and artistry of the influential folk musician, Woody Guthrie, while seeking to ignite a passion for social change and fostering a world where the values of justice, equality, and compassion prevail. As result, the number of selected performers whose music is outside the folk tradition may be limited.
Artists from outside the Tulsa area are welcome to submit. However, the Common Chords concert series does not include reimbursement for travel expenses.
Generally, artists may only be selected to perform in Common Chords once per season. Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances where the performer is also a part of a group and the works submitted are significantly different. The Woody Guthrie Center reserves the exclusive right to exercise discretion when prioritizing multiple submissions containing the same performer.
Performers must have the requisite rights or licenses to perform all songs in their set. Woody Guthrie Center possesses performing rights licenses from BMI and ASCAP for the venue.
Performance content must be similar to that contained in your submission. Woody Guthrie Center reserves the right to cancel performances in which the musical content of a show will differ significantly from what was represented in the submission or portfolio.
Please direct any additional or clarifying questions to events@woodyguthriecenter.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Common Chords and other Woody Guthrie Center outreach initiatives and public programming. Interested parties may reach out to support@americansongarchives.org for more information.
