Ink Still Wet 2027 · Composer-Conductor Workshop with Steve Reich

CALL FOR COMPOSITIONS
Ink Still Wet 2027

The Grafenegg Festival invites composers and composition students from around the world to apply for Ink Still Wet 2027, a fully funded composer-conductor workshop led by Steve Reich, Composer in Residence of the Grafenegg Festival 2027, with David Robertson as conducting coach and the Tonkünstler Orchestra.

Up to five selected composers will develop a new 5–7-minute orchestral work through two workshop phases in New York City and Grafenegg. Participants will work on their compositions with Steve Reich and musicians of the Tonkünstler Orchestra, receive conducting coaching from David Robertson, and ultimately rehearse and conduct the world premieres of their own works with the Tonkünstler Orchestra at the Grafenegg Festival.

Workshop Part 1 · New York City · 12–16 April 2027
Score analysis and development of the participants’ compositions, workshops with section leaders of the Tonkünstler Orchestra, and a workshop on professional musical notation.

Workshop Part 2 · Grafenegg, Austria · 19–28 August 2027
Orchestra rehearsals, conducting coaching, video analysis of rehearsals, and workshops on career development for composers.

Closing Concert · Grafenegg Festival · 26 August 2027
Participants conduct the world premieres of their compositions with the Tonkünstler Orchestra in the Rudolf Buchbinder Hall.

Who can apply?

Composers and composition students from any country. There is no age limit and previous conducting experience is an advantage but not required. The course language is English.

For the application, composers submit at least 2 minutes of a new, unpublished and unperformed orchestral work with a final duration of 5–7 minutes, together with a description of its concept or idea and the additional application materials specified in the full call.

Fully funded participation

Participation is fully funded by the Grafenegg Festival, including accommodation, international travel expenses (fully reimbursed subject to limits based on the participant’s place of origin), all local transport, subsistence costs, and tickets to all Grafenegg Festival concerts during the second workshop phase.

There is NO application or participation fee.

Application deadline: 25 November 2026

Full information and application:
www.grafenegg.com/isw