top of page

Composers FORUM

OVERVIEW

The Composers Forum is geared towards individuals who are pursuing the craft of composition and receiving professional performances of their works, attending masterclasses, and immersing themselves in the compositional world of Vienna, Austria and all that it has to offer.  Each admitted composer will receive a performance of their new work during the festival. 

Previous editions: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 & 2021 (canceled) | 2022

INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION

Dates: June 26 - July 10

A major highlight of this festival is our participants having their music performed by world class contemporary performers and ensembles such as PHACE, Irvine Arditti, Mivos Quartet, Transient Canvas, and Ensemble Dal Niente. 

Composition students will take private composition lessons with Viennese and international composers and attend lectures/masterclasses on contemporary music and advanced theory topics.  

Amongst the guest faculty, prominent composers such as Anthony Green, Pierluigi Billone, Alexandra Karastoyanova-Hermentin, Oliver Weber, Ulrich Drechsler, Reinhard Fuchs, Clemens Gadenstätter, and other visiting guests will join the festival. 

Participants will be given a choice amongst our four guest ensembles, who will perform one piece.  PHACE ensemble, a professional contemporary music ensemble residing in Vienna, offers any combination of instruments including: flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, and double bass;  Mivos Quartet consists of a regular string quartet;  Transient Canvas is a marimba/bass clarinet duo; and Ensemble Dal Niente is sending two of their performers (guitar and soprano) to Vienna this year.  All ensembles will perform the new pieces at the VSMF: Contemporary Music Concerts. 

Students will also work with Irvine Arditti, from the Arditti Quartet, who will workshop and record selected student pieces for solo violin or string quartet. 

TUITION: €3750

Includes: housing, private lessons, facilities, faculty, masterclasses, visiting guests, cultural excursions, ensemble hires

CURRICULUM

Private Lessons

Composition students will receive private composition lessons with prominent Viennese composers. All participants will work on a project that will be developed during their stay in Vienna and presented for a discussion amongst their peers and faculty.

Rehearsals

Composers are obliged to attend all rehearsals of their compositions and are expected to work closely with the ensemble and music director in order to ensure a successful performance of their work.

Masterclasses

Composers will have the opportunity to have their works critiqued by visiting guest artists. Master Classes will be conducted with visiting guest artists and are open to all festival participants to observe.

Seminars

Seminars will be given by our visiting guest faculty on their particular area of research and will consist of advanced topics in composition and compositional processes chosen by the professors.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

VSMF Provides professional opportunities for all admitted participants

PHACE_INDEXofMetals_WienerKonzerthaus_ph

PHACE

Contemporary Music Ensemble

Participants of the Instrumental Composition Program will have their music performed by PHACE.  PHACE is a premiere contemporary music ensemble who performs around the world and regularly commissions leading composers.  You can learn more about PHACE here.

Mivos_0174.jpg

Mivos Quartet

Contemporary Music Ensemble

The Mivos Quartet, “one of America’s most daring and ferocious new-music ensembles” (The Chicago Reader), is devoted to performing works of contemporary composers and presenting diverse new music to international audiences. More here.

TC+Street+(Full+Size).jpg

Transient Canvas

Contemporary Music Duo

For over a decade Boston-based contemporary duo Transient Canvas has been thrilling audiences with their “engaging musicality and easy sense of ensemble" (Cleveland Classical) and “superb” performances (Boston Globe).  More here.

Karjaka+Studios+-+DN+Party+2017-+Low-100.jpg

Ensemble Dal Niente

Duo Soprano + Guitar

Ensemble Dal Niente presents and performs new and experimental music in ways that redefine the listening experience and advance the art form. The programming, brought to life by a flexible repertoire-based instrumentation, seeks to challenge convention and create engaging, inspiring, and immersive experiences which connect audiences with the music of today. More here.

Arditti.jpg

Irvine Arditti

Work with the legendary Irvine Arditti of the Arditti Quartet

The VSMF is proud to have Irvine Arditti, founder of the contemporary string quartet Arditti Quartet join the faculty.  Mr. Arditti will perform and record works for solo violin.  Participants of the Instrumental Composition Program will have access to this opportunity.  Please click here to watch Irvine Arditti's interview given during our 2018 edition.

Meet the VSMF Composition Faculty

Our world-class faculty have major careers working as composers and performers championing new music

APPLICATION INSTRUTIONS

Applicants for the Composers Forum should submit two original scores that best represent their skill as a composer; there are no stylistic restrictions. 

 

All application materials including YouTube links, audio files, and scores should be submitted via a single link to an approved file sharing site such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud, or by mail to info@viennasummermusic.com. For questions regarding submitting via file sharing visit the application section of the FAQ page.

Scores should be submitted in PDF format, and recordings of these works should be submitted in MP3 or MIDI files. Files names should include the applicant’s first and last name, program of interest, and the creation date of the score and recording.(Example: Emily Brown_Composition Forum_08/18.MP3)

 

All applicants should receive an initial response in 3-5 business days.

An application fee of $35 is required for submission.

 

Scholarships

 

Scholarships are available, and will be awarded up to €1,500 to select applicants. For those applicants that are interested in applying for scholarship, a brief scholarship application essay of no more than 500 words answering the question, “What are your career goals, and how would a scholarship to the Vienna Summer Music Festival help you achieve those goals?”, and a list of references should be sent in addition to application materials. The subject line should contain the applicant’s first and last name, program of interest, and the text “Scholarship Essay.” Interested applicants will receive scholarship funds based upon their submitted audition materials and essay.

 

Scholarship Application Requirements:

 

1) 500 word Scholarship Essay answering, “What are your career goals, and how would a scholarship to the Vienna Summer Music Festival help you achieve those goals?”

2) A list of two to three references (please include contact information)

All scholarship application materials should be emailed to info@viennasummermusic.com.

Instrumental Composition Deadline: March 15, 2023