FES ensemble | Call for Scores

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 Scores Workshop 2026!

FES ICSW is a space for developing compositional ideas. Through individual consultations and conceptual and technical workshops, composers will have the opportunity to work with 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!

Please click HERE to apply by sending the application form.

OVERVIEW

WHO

The call is open to everyone from all around the world, without any distinction of age, ethnicity, or gender.
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 15, 2026 (CET 23:59:59)

FEE
There's no application fee
The workshop fee is 450 euros.

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.
Participants will get 8 creative sessions/rehearsals with the ensemble to develop their new compositions.
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);
The residency gives the chance to the composer to get to know the ensemble and to establish further collaborations.
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.

RULES

Final pieces must stay within a maximum of 6 minutes;
The workshop will take place online and in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
(However, the in-person sessions might also be followed online, upon request);
Travels and stays in Rotterdam are NOT covered. Composers must arrange their own travels;

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)

CAT. C: Solo cello

CAT. C1: Cello and electronics* (and/or video)

*(live electronics feasability must be discussed beforehand)

DATES

Applications open: 1 February 2026
Deadline for submissions: 15 March 2026, 11.59 p.m. (CET)
Announcement of selected composers: 22 March 2026
Payment of the fee deadline (after acceptance): 29 March 2026
First online meeting: 2 April 2026
Residency and recording period: April-October 2026
Deadline for submission of completed score: 15th July, 2026
Recording of the pieces: September/October 2026 (TBA)

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please fill out the Application Google Form

The selection is based on the composers' portfolio;
Applicants must submit two scores (open, visual, web-designed, or any format), each with an audio or video recording. (MIDI is accepted);
Performative acts are also welcome;
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;
Scores must be complete, legible, and in PDF format;
Anonymity is NOT required;
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.
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 group meetings (Online, April)

1st meeting, April 2nd (Online, about 1 hour):

Online meet-and-greet, presentation of the ensemble and participants, overview of the program, and Q&A.
2nd meeting, April 9th (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, April 30th (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.

Individual creative sessions (May-June)
4th meeting (In person or online, 45 min):
One-to-one individual session with the ensemble: try-outs of sketches, techniques, and experimentations;
5th meeting (In person or online, 45 min):
One-to-one individual session: try-outs of sketches, techniques, and experimentations;
6th meeting (In person or online, 45 min):
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.
Final rehearsals and recordings (September)
7th meeting (In-person suggested, but possible online. 1 hour):
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.

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.

www.martinamadini.com

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.

MASSIMILIANO VIZZINI

vizzinicomposer[at]gmail.com

© 2026 Massimiliano Vizzini. All rights reserved