sound and the Contemporary Music Centre Ireland are looking for applications from four talented early-career composers (max age 30): two from the island of Ireland and two from the UK, to take part in an exciting 14 month international composer development programme called Legato.

Legato will run from September 2024 to early November 2025. It was devised by partner organisations from France, Ireland and Scotland: Contemporary Music Centre Ireland, New Music Dublin, Sound Festival and Festivals Ensemble (comprising Ensemble 2e2m, Cairn, Court-circuit, Multilatérale and Sillages).

The aim is to give 6 early-career composers (2 from each country) the opportunity to discover new music from each other’s countries, to write new work under the guidance of two composer mentors (Jérôme Combier and Laura Bowler) and to have their works performed at festivals in Bagnolet, Dublin and Aberdeen.

The timeline will be:

Session 1 18th - 22nd September 2024: Festival Ensemble(s) in Paris

Attending festival & workshops with composer mentors

In-between: Start working on pieces for 5 musicians: from French ensembles (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano)

Session 2 late April 2025: New Music Dublin

Attending festival, working on pieces with musicians and composer mentors.

Sharing of work at New Music Dublin.

In-between: Finalising of pieces.

Session 3 September 2025 (dates tbc): Festival Ensemble(s) in Paris

Premières of new works

Session 4 Late October/ early November 2025:

Attending soundfestival and second performances of new works

Candidates

The successful applicants will be expected to attend all the sessions, in order to discover more about New Music in each other’s countries, and to develop their practice by working alongside each other as well as with the composer-mentors and professional musicians.

Please note that we are committed to working with and supporting composers from under-represented groups. Female, trans, gender-diverse, and ethnic minority composers, composers from a low-income background, and/or composers with a disability are encouraged to apply.

Stipend

The successful candidates will be paid a stipend of 600 euros each and their travel and accommodation costs will be covered for all parts of the project.

Deadline for applications: Monday 26th February 11.59pm