Composers Invited to Apply to the 9th Sterkfontein Composers Meeting

Composers from the international community are invited to apply to attend the 9th Sterkfontein Composers Meeting, which will take place from 4-15 December 2024 at the Nirox Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Sterkfontein Composers Meeting brings together the best young African composers every year in South Africa. It was established in 2012 at the Nirox Foundation. Up to ten composers participate each year, under the guidance of artistic director Michael Blake, with an international ensemble in residence and guest tutors. During the composers meeting—which includes sessions that take place daily from 10:00 to 19:00—performers, tutors and composers live and work together in one undisturbed setting, to develop compositions and discuss ideas. The 2024 programme will consist of workshops and masterclasses, discussions, listening sessions, composer presentations, and performances by German accordionist Eva Zöllner who is serving as this year’s Artist in Residence. At the end of the composers meeting there will be a public concert of the work produced at the Nirox Foundation on Sunday, 15 December 2024 which will also be recorded.

Composers interested in participating should submit: a short CV, a photo, a select list of compositions, 2 scores in PDF format, and online links to performances of at least 1 of those works, plus a short written statement about why you would like to attend and what you hope to achieve. The deadline for applications is 14 June 2024. To apply, please email these materials to both Michael Blake ([email protected]) and associate director Cara Stacey ([email protected]). The Sterkfontein Composers Meeting will try to offer bursaries for young composers who cannot afford the cost of attending. Composers based in South Africa, including those studying at tertiary level, can also apply. A maximum of 10 composers can be accommodated. Queries including cost of attending should be sent to Michael Blake ([email protected]). Composers invited to participate will create a work for accordion using extended techniques, with or without live electronics and/or fixed media. Initial drafts can be developed with faculty members online and a final version submitted by 31 October 2024.

For further information, please visit https://sterkfonteincomposersmeeting.weebly.com.