composer | audio-video designer
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CALL FOR SCORES
@Massimiliano Vizzini
WE ARE LOOKING...
FOR YOUR MUSIC!!!!
FES ensemble is happy to announce the first edition of the
FES International Call for Collaboration Workshop 2026!
FES ICCW is a space for developing compositional ideas. Through individual consultations and conceptual and technical workshops, composers will have the opportunity to confront their ideas with sonic reality and draw from the expertise of the FES ensemble.
The result of several months of collaboration will be new works performed and recorded by the musicians.
Above all, the project is about building relationships, exchanging experiences, and shaping new ways of thinking about music. This is a process-based course, based on exchange between performers and composers.
We're looking for bold, extravagant, cross-genre, lyrical, fun, out-of-the-box, powerful, imaginative and tender music from emergent and creative makers!
OVERVIEW
WHO
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The call is open to everyone from all around the world, without any distinction of age, ethnicity, or gender.
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This call is intended for students or emergent composers who want to enrich their artistic practice and work with a contemporary music ensemble.
DEADLINE -
March 6, 2026 (CET 23:59:59)
FEE -
There's no application fee
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The workshop fee is 450 euros.
STAGES -
Application → Selection → Consultations → Reading Session → Rehearsals → Recording (September 2026)
WHAT -
The Call is carried out in the form of a residency/workshop, which means that composers will develop the new compositions together with the ensemble through a 6-month collaboration.
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Participants will get 8 creative sessions/rehearsals with the ensemble to develop their new compositions.
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The call is looking for compositions for saxophone (soprano/alto/tenor) and cello, with or without electronics and video, with all the combinations. Electronics can use up to a Stereo setup. Chosen composers will write a piece for one of the available categories (see below);
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The residency gives the chance to the composer to get to know the ensemble and to establish further collaborations.
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At the end of the workshop, the pieces will be audio/video recorded in high quality during a recording session. They will be delivered to the composers to enrich their portfolio and eventually published on FES YouTube and the social pages.
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The best scores will be added to the FES repertoire and possibly performed in upcoming concerts, festivals and more.
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The residency fee (including all the meetings, rehearsals and recording sessions) has a cost of 450 euros
RULES
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Final pieces must stay within a maximum of 6 minutes;
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The workshop will take place online and in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
(However, the in-person sessions might also be followed online, upon request);
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A maximum of 12 composers will be selected;
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Travels and stays in Rotterdam are NOT covered. Composers must arrange their own travels;
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Composers must have the right to use all materials in their pieces, including text, visuals, etc. Submitted pieces may not be under an exclusive performance contract with any performer or ensemble.​
CATEGORIES
CAT. A: Duo saxophone and cello ​
CAT. A1: Saxophone, cello and electronics* (and/or video)
CAT. B: Solo saxophone [Soprano/Alto/Tenor]
CAT. B1: Saxophone and electronics* (and/or video)
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CAT. C: Solo cello
CAT. C1: Cello and electronics* (and/or video)
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*(live electronics feasability must be discussed beforehand)
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DEADLINES
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Applications open: January 6, 2026​​
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Deadline for submissions: March 6, 2026, 11.59 p.m. (CET)
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Announcement of selected composers: March 20th 2026
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Payment of the fee deadline (after acceptance): April 3, 2026
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Deadline for submission of completed score: July 31st, 2026
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Residency and recording period: April-September 2026
SELECTION PROCESS
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There is no application fee;
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The selection is based on the composers' portfolio;
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Applicants must submit two scores (open, visual, web-designed, or any format), each with an audio or video recording. (MIDI is accepted);
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Performative acts are also welcome;
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If you do not have recordings with instruments close to the in-residence ensemble, you may send any material that reflects your artistic practice and style;
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Scores must be complete, legible, and in PDF format;
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Anonymity is NOT required;
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Applicants may optionally include a short proposal (PDF, video, or text) outlining the concept or initial idea for the new piece.
JURY -
Composers will be selected by a jury made up of ensemble members.
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Applications will be evaluated on artistic strength, feasibility, and their potential to support the ensemble’s learning and audience-engagement activities.
PROGRAM
The call for scores, held as a workshop/residency with the composers, will be carried out in several meetings and creative sessions.
*All dates, times, and the recording session schedule will be provided after the selection of the composers and the evaluation of the final scores.
Preliminary meetings (Online, April)
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1st meeting (Online, about 1 hour):
Online meet and greet, presentation of the ensemble and participants, overview of the program, Q&A.
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2nd meeting (Online, 2 hours):
First group creative session: the FES ensemble will share examples of pieces they have performed, extended techniques, and notation suggestions. The composers will present ideas for their works, including plans, sketches, and initial materials. -
3rd meeting (Online, 2 hours):
Second group creative session: the composers will present ideas, sketches, and additional material, with the opportunity to try out sounds and techniques.
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Creative sessions (April-May-June-July) -
4th meeting (In person or online, 45 min each):
One-to-one individual session with the ensemble: try-outs of sketches, techniques, and experimentations;​​ -
5th meeting (In person or online, 45 min each):
One-to-one individual session: try-outs of sketches, techniques, and experimentations; -
6th meeting (In person or online, 45 min each):
One-to-one individual session: try-outs of sketches, techniques, and experimentations;
*Additional online meetings and rehearsals may be scheduled according to the ensemble’s needs.
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Final rehearsals and recordings (September)
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7th meeting (In-person suggested, but possible online. 1 hour each):
Final rehearsals. Each composer will have one hour to rehearse the final version of the piece; -
​​​8th meeting (In-person suggested but possible online):
The next day, all pieces will be recorded in high-quality audio and video during the recording session.
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Please click here to apply by sending the application form.
ENSEMBLE
MARTINA MADINI - Saxophone
Martina Madini is a classical-contemporary saxophonist and co-founder of the FES Ensemble.
Born in Cremona (IT), she's currently based in Rotterdam. Her repertoire includes contemporary music, mixed media and performative works.
She performs across Europe and has appeared at festivals such as IMPULS Festival in Graz, Opera Forward Festival in Amsterdam, Darmstädter Ferienkurse in Darmstadt, and Dag van de Componist in Rotterdam.​​
Among the other projects, she co-created Che Genere di Musica Ascolti?, a multidisciplinary project developed with saxophonist Francesca Fantini and journalist Elisa Belotti, in collaboration with the Saxiana association.
PEDRO DO CARMO - Cello
Pedro is a Portuguese cellist based in Rotterdam. His artistic practice is mainly grounded in contemporary performance. His recent projects include collaborations with ensembles such as ConcrèteLab, performing at World New Music Days 25. He participated in the Impuls Festival (with Alexis Descharmes), and the Research-Led Workshop at the Giorgio Cini Foundation (Venice), mentored by Lucas Fels. He was also selected for the Sond’Ar-te Electric Ensemble Academy, directed by Miguel Azguime. In collaboration with Eva Aguilar, Lluïsa Paredes and Jasmim Mandillo, Pedro is developing the project “Zeca Afonso – Musical Ètudes for Two Cellos”, funded by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture (DGArtes).In 2025, he participated in the Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik Darmstadt with Lucas Fels and Anssi Karttunen, where he performed solo, presented his research on autonomy in cello-electronics performance, and explored new works with FES Ensemble.
FEEDBACK
Yoona Hong
composer of Du bist mein Traum_a
Ensemble FES threw themselves into the project with real energy. In Darmstadt our ideas clicked fast, so working together felt natural. My piece asked when sound becomes music, and they pushed it further with their tight, intuitive playing. Their curiosity, precision, and openness turned the process into a new way of hearing sound.
MASSIMILIANO VIZZINI
Artistic coordinator
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Recent commissions and collaborations include works for the MIXTUR Festival x Ensemble Fractales (Barcelona, ES), Divertimento Ensemble (Milan, IT), Zubin Kanga for the Gaudeamus Festival (Utrecht, NL), the Opera Forward Festival at Dutch National Opera & Ballet (Amsterdam, NL), Latvian Radio Choir (Riga, LV), Darmstädter Ferienkurse (Darmstadt, DE), Musiikin Aika (Viitasaari, FI), MotoContrario Ensemble (Trento, IT), Vlaams Radiokoor (Bilzen, BE), Avanti! Summer Sounds Festival (Helsinki, FI), Bled Contemporary Music Week (Bled, SL), Dag van de Componist x DoelenEnsemble (Rotterdam, NL), Papagena Vocal Ensemble (UK), TRT Orchestra (Turin, IT), Sounding Here Festival at Batavierhuis (Rotterdam, NL).
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