10th International Composition Seminar 2021/22

Hosted by the Ensemble Modern, the composer Lucia Ronchetti and the conductor Stefan Asbury, the International Composition Seminar takes place for the tenth time in 2021/22 and is once again part of the festival “cresc... – Biennial for Current Music Frankfurt Rhine Main“. In Europe, the seminar is unique in its structure, which involves several working phases; since its founding in 2004, this seminar has launched many international careers in composition. After many years, the seminar will once again welcome conductors again!

The 10th International Composition Seminar and its final concert are integrated into the sixth edition of the festival cresc... – Biennial for Current Music, which takes place from February 25 to March 5, 2022 in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main area. Thanks to its the integration into an festival and support via the media cooperation with Hessischer Rundfunk (Hessian Radio), the International Composition Seminar enjoys special media attention, giving the final concert increased recognition. cresc... 2022 is produced by Ensemble Modern and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra together with further partners.

The 2022 festival theme “ME WE” goes back to a conversation between the boxer and human rights activist Muhammad Ali and a group of Harvard students in 1975. During this encounter, a student suddenly called out: “Give us a poem!” (Not a coincidence, as Ali was famous for his spontaneous and pointedly political poetry even then.) Never batting an eyelash, Muhammad Ali answered: “ME WE”. The poem attained world fame and has since been a contender for the shortest poem in the world, with two others vying for the title. While the other festival concerts illuminate the relationship between the individual (ME) and society (WE), the composition seminar will reflect the theme “Give me a poem”.

Young composers interested in this project are invited to apply until April 30, 2021. Extended application deadline for conductors until May 9, 2021.

Please find all other information and the application form here: https://www.internationale-em-akademie.de/en/apply-now