Ficino Ensemble will run a series of composition workshops across the first half of 2022. These workshops will offer an opportunity for emerging composers who are resident in Ireland to shape a short composition in dialogue with performers and a workshop facilitator.

The goal is to allow these exchanges to enrich the compositional process, and, generally, to provide a supportive, enthusiastic environment for creative work. Interested composers are invited to make an application submission, including a sketch and a proposal.

Submissions will be reviewed by Nathan Sherman, artistic director of Ficino Ensemble, and Garrett Sholdice, composer and workshop facilitator. Up to four composers will then be invited to take part in the workshop series. There will be two workshops, followed by a final recording session. Pandemic-permitting, all sessions will take place in person – as such, successful applicants must be able to attend all sessions in person.

The ensemble line-up for this composition workshop series is as follows: ​
Nathan Sherman, viola (http://www.nathanshermanmusic.com/bio.html)
Michelle O’Rourke, voice (http://michelleorourke.ie/)
Macdara Ó Seireadáin, clarinet (https://www.facebook.com/macdaraclarinet/)
Geraldine Doherty, harp (https://www.riam.ie/about/our-people/geraldine-odoherty)

Composers are asked to compose for the full quartet, without amplification, electronics, or any other augmentation.

Timeline:
– Deadline for application submissions: Friday 1 April
– Announcement of participants: Monday 11 April
– 1st workshop: 12-4pm, Sunday 24 April, Dublin
– 2nd workshop: 12-4pm, Sunday 22 May, Dublin
– Deadline for finished scores and parts: Friday 10 June
– Recording session: 10am-2pm, Saturday 2 July, Dublin

See link below for further details.