FontanaMIXensemble is pleased to present its 2023’s Composers/Conductors Workshop, whose objective is to encourage and enhance the professional figure of the composer/conductor, a role in which the conducting sensitivity is deeply intertwined with the composer’s intuition, in the same way as the research in writing enriches and gives meaning to the musical performance and interpretation.
While Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler built the conducting formations in the modern era, figures like Maderna, Boulez or Bernstein represented, during the second half of the 20th century, outstanding examples of personalities for whom composing and conducting were the manifestation of a single artistic expression.
With this unique workshop, FontanaMIXensemble aims to contribute to create a lively discussion in which young artists will have the possibility to work together with the ensemble’s musicians in a mutual exchange of creative experiences and professional growth.
Two composers/conductors will be selected to each write a new piece for the FontanaMIXensemble. One extra composer/conductor will be selected amongst the students of the Conservatory G.B. Martini of Bologna.The instrumentation and submission deadline will be communicated to the selected applicants due to Saturday 15th April 2023. The workshop will take place from the 27th to the 29th October 2023. During these days, each selected composer/conductor will have the possibility to rehearse his/her own work and a piece from the contemporary music repertoire. A final concert with the three participants will take place at the end of the workshop. This concert will be part of the FontanaMIXensemble’s 2023 season. Participation to the workshop is free of charge. The ensemble will host the three selected applicants in Bologna during the workshop and concert. Travel expenses will be covered by the participants themselves.
Application Guidelines
Three composers/conductors will be appointed through a selection entrusted to a commission composed by the musicians of the FontanaMIXensemble and chaired by composer/conductor Sandro Gorli.
The call is open to composer/conductors by Friday 31 March 2023. Applicants from any age and nationality are welcome. Three scores are to be uploaded to the online form below due to Friday 31 March by 11:59 pm Italian time. We kindly request to submit scores which are orchestrated for no less than 5 instruments. Scores with soloists and/or singers are accepted. Compositions may include electronics. A Curriculum Vitae which summarises the experience of the applicant, particularly regarding the activity as conductor, is also required for the application to be accepted. A submission fee of 30€ is required to apply to the call (Associazione FontanaMix IBAN: IT37C0306909606100000003311 – BIC: BCITITMM).
A complete application should therefore include:Applicant’s name and surname;
- n. 3 scores;
- Link to a recording (if available);
- CV highlighting in particular the applicant’s conducting experience. A video link may also be attached to the application;
- Submission fee payment receipt.In case you have any doubt about the call and/or the selection process, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail to info.fontanamix@gmail.com.
This project is undertaken in collaboration with the Conservatory G.B. Martini (Bologna, Italy).
Link to Application Form
