ULYSSES JOURNEYS FOR LIVE ELECTRONICS COMPOSING - VOL 1 & 2

Live electronics has become an essential tool for music making for (not only) the younger generation of musicians worldwide. It has contributed to democratization of music making, allowing people with no classic education of interpreters or composing to stages in various genres. It has also contributed a lot to the group of "hybrid" performer/composer to emerge both on the underground experimental and also "classical" contemporary music scene. 

Yet, in the  contemporary music scene, composing for performers with live electronics - especially for live electronic ensembles - is still not very widespread among classically educated composers. That's mainly due to a certain conservative mindset in some conservatories, but also because of a lack of qualified teachers in the field with a good knowledge-base and experience in working both with live electronic compositions and performance practice. 

This workshop, led by EMA in partnership with Erica Synths, is designed for composers who want to dive into composing for live electronics ensemble. We welcome composers both with and without previous experience in the field. 

“Tallinn 1965” is an open experimental, multifunctional analog music studio. Alongside modern phonics, analog devices from decades ago are also put to work for recording sounds (professional old-time studio tape recorders) as well as creating music (classical oscillators, filters, echo machines). We approach music through the concrete artifacts and technological layers that range from hardware to software processes that have been part of the circulation of time and memory that condition knowledge, but also perceptions, and sensations. 

Acclaimed ensemble EMA (Estonian Electronic Music Society's Ensemble) was founded in 2017 and currently consists of 5 musicians with different classical education backgrounds (composition, different interpretation studies) as well as with backgrounds from various experimental music scenes. The ensemble has been active performing and composing live electronic works and has led several workshops addressing questions such as: notation for electronic music, technical setups, sound synthesis, and more.

ULYSSES JOURNEYS FOR LIVE ELECTRONICS COMPOSING VOL 1
Workshop schedule and topics

March 22

Session 1. 16.00 - 19.00

-Live electronic instrument. What is it? How to define it, how to classify Particularities of different performance devices?

Sound design as one of the key issues of working with electronics. Challenges of how to find a common ground between composer and performer in composing for "unknown" nonstandardized instrumentarium.

Session 2. 10.00 - 13.00

Continuation of previous session topics, Different notation options for compositions with live electronic performance.

Session 3. 15.00 - 18.00

Technical obstacles working with electronic setups. Mapping possibilities, challenges. Syncing performers in real time. Options of different metronomes, Vclick app

March 24

Session 4. 10.00 - 13.00

Analyzing scores, conclusions, brainstorming roundtable

ULYSSES JOURNEYS FOR LIVE ELECTRONICS COMPOSING - VOL 2

This workshop is for composers with some previous experience who want to work with live electronics composition. Organised by ECCM, it will take place May 8-10 2026 in Tallinn at Studio Tallinn 1965, with ensemble EMA.

This is a hands-on laboratory with EMA (Estonian Electronic Music Society Ensemble) for development of material brought by participants. 6 participants are selected upon a description of their composition in progress and what they want to address during the practical workshop. The description can be in the form of conception in text, excerpts of the work in progress composition. 

During the practical workshop ensemble EMA will give feedback to the piece in works from performers perspective. We will also help to develop its sound design, help to plan technical solutions, give feedback and advice in notation. A simple practical reading session by the ensemble of the works in progress is also planned. The practical working sessions with composers are open to observe by other participants of the workshop.

Drawing on material created during a one-week residency at the ECCM, the workshop will present work-in-progress excerpts that offer insight into the evolution of musical ideas. Through live demonstration and discussion, participants will engage directly with the creative process through dialogue and exchange of perspectives on composition and artistic development.

The call is open until April 20, 2026.

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