Contemporary Multitasking - Call for Scores | 2026 - Sax/Clarinet and Percussions (1 performer)

Call for Scores – Contemporary Multitasking – aims to stimulate compositional research towards scores performed by a single performer featuring saxophone or clarinet, enhanced by the addition of various percussion instruments. The Call is connected to the research activities of performer Emanuele Dalmaso.

Abstract

For every musician, the idea of continuing their education and expanding their expressive potential as much as possible is fundamental. The pursuit of an original and less-traveled path also allows one to distinguish their work, becoming a promoter of projects with complex and unpredictable outcomes. Contemporary musical research is the cradle of this, and Emanuele Dalmaso embodies this idea, making the musician increasingly a performer and discovering the possibilities of unexplored sound combinations.

In this context is the Call for Scores “Contemporary Multitasking,” promoted by the Cultural Association Piazza del Mondo (www.piazzadelmondo.it).

Through the creation of new scores, the Call aims to concretely explore how wind instruments can intertwine with percussion, all performed live by a single musician.

Objectives of the Call

The Call for Scores aims to:

• stimulate critical reflection on the changes taking place in the contemporary music landscape, with particular reference to the role of the performer, who alone becomes the spokesperson for an extraordinary range of possibilities, not only pushing the expressive potential of the saxophone and clarinet to their limits, but also promoting interactions between these instruments and percussion or other sound sources, while incorporating theatrical elements;
• develop new repertoire for saxophone or clarinet.

Criteria and Types of Contribution

Compositions for a single saxophone or clarinet performer, with the presence of percussion. A brief explanatory note clarifying the use of the instruments is required.

Instrumentation

Saxophone* (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) or clarinet (Bb, A, bass clarinet) 

List of main percussion instruments that can be used**: 

5 woodblocks 

Temple block 

Cowbell

Cymbals (China 16", Ride 20", Hi-Hat 14", Crash 16", Splash 10") 

Gong (30cm, 45cm) 

23 Desk bells (chromatic range: A3-G5) 

Kick drum 

Snare drum 

3 bongos 

5 rototoms (6", 8", 10", 12", 14") 

Participation procedures and deadline 

Participation by sending an email with information about the participant: personal details and contact information. 

Attached to the email: score, any explanatory materials deemed appropriate, curriculum vitae. 

Selected scores will be integrated into the research project and performed in national and international contexts, with documentation of the performances. 

All requested materials must be sent by May 30, 2026, to the following email address: call@piazzadelmondo.it, writing in the subject line of the email: Contemporary Multitasking. 

Concert

The selected scores will be performed in at least one dedicated concert by the end 2026.

Notes

* There is also the possibility to compose for saxophone/clarinet and another instrument, with justification in relation to the objectives of the Call. Prior consultation with the musician is also required (call@piazzadelmondo.it).

** Direct consultation with Emanuele Dalmaso – reachable at the email call@piazzadelmondo.it – is appreciated for coordination regarding the use of percussion, including suggesting some outside the listed ones.