Call for works

Call for scores

Intro

Ensemble_Codec is pleased to publish its second international call for new scores. The call is open to all composers and artists who pursue experimentation through sounds, with no limit of aesthetics, nationality or age.

The ensemble_Codec focuses on creating multimedia performances of instrumental and mixed repertoire. The collective’s creative process is oriented towards shaping every aspect of music production, from interpretation to acoustic research, sound engineering and visual output, following solely what the score at hand demands and striving for its ideal rendition with complete artistic freedom. All members of the ensemble have vast and complementary experience in a diverse spectrum of new music aesthetics, interpreting both traditionally notated and improvisatory scores.

Before applying, we encourage to visit the ensemble_Codec channel to have a better understanding of our work.

Deadline for submission

June 30th, 2026

Application guidelines

The Ensemble will select up to 3 composers and commission each of them a piece for the following instrumentation (or any subset of it) with a minimum of three performers. Three additional composers will be placed on a ‘waiting list’ and may be invited to participate in the event of withdrawals by selected candidates.

Instrumentation:

• - Clarinet (with Bass clarinet),
  - Guitar (classic 6 or 10 strings diatonic or Yepes), 
• - Piano (with possible preparation),
  - Double bass,
• - Electronics (live or fixed media).

The presence of electronics is not mandatory, but preferable.
The commissioned score must have a duration between 10 and 15 minutes and it will have to be performed unconducted. Every self-made augmentation of instruments will have to be provided by the composer.

The selected composers will receive:

• Premiere performance during Segnali festival 2027 at the ‘F. Morlacchi’ Conservatory of Music, Perugia.
• High-quality video studio recording of the performance (including audio production, scenographic, lighting and staging support).
• Workshop time with the musicians of the ensemble_Codec held through zoom call, and recordings of a rehearsal on the piece (run-through).
• Publication of the audio/video recording on the ensemble_Codec’s channel.
• Publication of the audio recording in the ‘Selected composers 2026’ album, distributed worldwide by the ensemble_Codec label on all digital platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, etc.).

• Publication of a video interview and promotional documentation on the ensemble_Codec’s channel.

  Fee
  The entry fee for participation is 15 euros, refunded in case the ensemble will not be able to finalize the call. The participation fee is a donation to ensemble_Codec to support project expenses. You can transfer to the following Paypal account, using personal (friends) transfer: callforworks@ensemble-codec.it 

   

  Submission material

  All participants are required to submit the following material:

• • Two pieces written in the last three years (any instrumentation). The presence of electronics is not mandatory, but preferable. Both pieces have to be submitted with full score and at least one of the two with recording (midi is not accepted). The total duration of the submitted samples is free. We accept pdf, jpg, wav and mp3 formats.
• • Curriculum vitae.
• • 500-words artistic statement.
• • Short description of the submitted work-samples (optional).
• • Receipt of the fee payment.

Send the download link of the materials to: callforworks@ensemble-codec.it

Timeline of the selection process and performances

June 30th, 2026, 11:59 pm (CET) 

Deadline for submission

July 31st, 2026

The results will be communicated

January 1st, 2027

Deadline for the delivery of the piece*

October 2027

Premiere performance during Segnali festival

October 2027 - June 2028 

Recording and releasing

(*) Failure to submit the piece by the deadline shall result in automatic disqualification from the selection process; the candidate will be replaced by one of the composers from the 'waiting list'.

FAQ

The artist statement should be able to give us an idea of your overall artistic practice. It’s an opportunity to talk about yourself as a musician and describe what propels you to make music the way you do and why.

Do you accept scores that incorporate improvisation?

Yes, of course.

Are alternative forms of notation equally valued?

Yes. We encourage to include an overview of your notation system in the description of your work samples.

Can I participate in person to the rehearsals and performance of my piece?

No, unfortunately ensemble_Codec is unable to provide in-person workshop time.

Will my submitted scores be protected by confidentiality?

Yes, the scores will only be seen by the members of the ensemble strictly for the purposes of the call.

What do you mean by artist statement?

By whom is the judging panel composed?

The panel is composed by the five members of the ensemble.

How am I allowed to use the recordings of my piece?

Since the composer will remain the owner of the copyright of his work (and the royalties generated by it) and the ensemble_Codec will own the phonographic rights (ISRC), you can share and embed recordings link without limits. It is also possible to request a copy of the audio master but the ownership of the phonogram (ISRC) will remain with the ensemble_Codec. On the other hand, it is not possible to download the audio/video recording to upload it to other channels.

For any additional information please do not hesitate to write us at callforworks@ensemble-codec.it