Compocon

COMPOCON is Standing Wave’s annual week-long workshop for student composers in late August. During the week, composers who are selected for the workshop will have the rare opportunity to work closely with the six members of Standing Wave, as well as with three different mentor composers. 

 

Sessions include private lessons with all of the mentors, one-on-one sessions with each of the Standing Wave musicians, classes devoted to instrument-specific techniques, and presentations on various musical topics. 

 

Compocon is a wonderful opportunity for composers to hone their ensemble-writing skills, and to learn about style, instrumentation, notation, communication, editing, and the risk-taking that goes into creating thought-provoking new chamber music. At the end of the week, the ensemble will perform sketches written by the participants. 

 

Following the summer workshop, each participant will be paired with a mentor composer who will continue to provide feedback over the course of the next 2 months. Completed works will be publicly performed during Standing Wave’s season. 

 

Compocon is an exciting opportunity for participants to work intimately with three established and celebrated composers, as well as the roster of talented musicians that make up the Standing Wave ensemble. Come make new music with us!

 

A select group of up to 10 students will hone their ensemble-writing skills, and learn about style, instrumentation, notation, communication, editing, and the musical risk-taking that goes into creating thought-provoking new chamber music!

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – COMPOCON 2023!

Compocon is an opportunity for student composers to create new music with the Standing Wave Ensemble, taking place at the VSO School of Music in downtown Vancouver.

Readings, masterclasses, and rehearsals will take place from August 21-27, 2023. Ensemble members, along with composers Edward Top, Rita Ueda, and Jeffrey Ryan, will facilitate sessions, give feedback, and provide extensive individual coaching and mentoring to students. 

Classes will take place at the VSO School of Music and the Annex.

A select group of up to 10 students will hone their ensemble-writing skills, and learn about style, instrumentation, notation, communication, editing, and the musical risk-taking that goes into creating thought-provoking new chamber music!

Following the summer workshop, each participant will be paired with a mentor composer who will continue to provide feedback leading up to an early autumn deadline, when completed works will be submitted to the ensemble for a public performance in early 2024.

This concert will be video and audio recorded, and students will receive a copy of the performance of their work, along with a performance of one etude they wrote for an ensemble member.

Standing Wave Ensemble’s instrumentation is:

flute (picc.), clarinet (bass cl.), violin, cello, piano, percussion*

*vibraphone, glockenspiel, marimba, suspended cymbal, snare drum, tom toms, bass drum, other small percussion instruments can be added

Interested composers should apply by submitting, via email:

A current bio and works list

A 1 page letter outlining your experience, why you’d like to work with Standing Wave

Two scores (PDFs) of previous works

Two recordings (MIDI allowed) as a download or online stream (Google Drive, Dropbox, Soundcloud, WeTransfer, Hightail) that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to compose for chamber ensemble. 

Up to 10 composers will be selected for Compocon, no fee to apply. 

Participants must be available for all sessions from August 21-27. 

Tuition for the workshop – $750

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS JUNE 1, 2023

Successful applicants will be notified on June 15, 2023

Applications should be sent to info[at]standingwave.ca