MBZ Masterclass for Composers

MASTERCLASS FOR COMPOSERS 2027

Music Biennale Zagreb presents a new edition of its mASTERCLASS FOR COMPOSERS. The aim of the programme is to enable participants to enhance their creative understanding and develop their compositional skills through individual work with renowned composers and open rehearsals with the festival ensemble.

The new edition of the MBZ MASTERCLASS FOR COMPOSERS will take place from 12 to 15 April 2027 in Zagreb. The composer-mentors will be some of the most productive and original voices in 21st-century music: Jennifer Walshe (Ireland), Margareta Ferek-Petrić (Croatia/Austria), Dai Fujikura (Japan/UK), and Tristan Perich (USA). The resident ensemble will be NAE Collective from Croatia.

The Music Biennale Zagreb MASTERCLASS FOR COMPOSERS 2027 consists of three different segments:

a) Individual sessions with one of the composer-mentors
Selected participants will have the opportunity to engage in intensive one-to-one work with an assigned mentor (the duration of each session is 45 minutes). Participants will bring compositions of their own choice to the individual sessions. These sessions are not open to the public; however, other participants of the MBZ Composers’ Masterclass may attend them as observers.

b) Lectures and discussions
Selected participants will have the opportunity to attend lectures by the composer-mentors. Each mentor of the MBZ Composers’ Masterclass will give a lecture of up to 75 minutes, followed by an additional 15 minutes of discussion with the participating composers. Mentor lectures, as well as plenary discussions, will be held as part of the festival programme and will be open to the public.

c) Work with the resident ensemble (NAE Collective)
Selected participants are required to compose a new piece, a miniature of up to four minutes in duration, for an instrumental combination that will be assigned to them after the selection process. Active participants must submit the performance materials (score and parts) by 14 February 2027.
The resident ensemble will perform the new compositions at the masterclass concert on 15 April 2027. Composers will have the opportunity to further develop their works in collaboration with the resident ensemble during two reading sessions and one dress rehearsal. Rehearsals with the resident ensemble will be open for passive participation by other participants of the MBZ Composers’ Masterclass. The masterclass concert is part of the festival programme and is open to the public.

Previous Editions
The MBZ Masterclass has been held since 2019. Over the course of its previous editions, participants have had the opportunity to work with distinguished composers including Chaya Czernowin, George Lewis, Liza Lim, and Alexander Schubert, as well as resident ensembles Riot Ensemble, Klangforum Wien, and PinkNoise.

APPLICATION
Composers up to the age of 35 are eligible to apply, regardless of their country of residence and level of previous experience. In exceptional cases, applications from composers who began their careers later in life will also be considered, provided they explain the reasons why they do not meet the stated age criterion. Applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferred mentor, while the organiser reserves the right to make the final decision. MBZ’s team will select participants based on the submitted applications.

The application form must be completed by Friday, 2 October 2026 (no later than 23:59 CET; late applications will not be accepted). Selected participants will be notified by email by THURSDAY, 19 November 2026.

Application for active participation must include:
·    CV in English or Croatian (up to 1800 characters including spaces)
·    2 compositions that best represent your work to date (scores + audio/video recordings; MIDI versions of compositions may also be submitted if no live performance recording is available)
·    Copy of an identification document: passport or national ID card

Application for passive participation must include:
·    CV in English or Croatian (up to 1800 characters including spaces)
·    1 composition that best represents your work to date (score + audio/video recording; a MIDI version of the composition may also be submitted if no live performance recording is available)
·    Copy of an identification document: passport or national ID card

Selected candidates applying for active participation must submit the following:
1. Completed score and parts for the reading rehearsal and concert with the resident ensemble: performance materials (full score and parts in PDF format) for the entire composition.

Available instruments (in any combination):
violin, cello, flute (piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute), clarinet (B♭ clarinet, bass clarinet), percussion (vibraphone, woodblocks, two bongos, tom-toms, cymbals; the exact selection of smaller percussion instruments will be determined in consultation with the performer after the participants have been selected), and electronics (fixed media or live electronics). Details regarding the instrumentation and electronics will be agreed with the festival at a later stage. Selected participants will be informed of the exact instrumental combination for which they will compose. For works involving electronics, a technical rider must be submitted in advance for approval.

Deadline for submission of materials: 14 February 2027.
Please note: The new composition for the resident ensemble must not exceed 4 minutes in duration.

2. Payment of the registration fee. Participation will be confirmed upon payment of the registration fee within 14 days of receiving the notification of selection.

Selected candidates applying for passive participation must:
1.  pay the registration fee upon selection. Participation will be confirmed upon payment of the registration fee within 14 days of receiving the notification of selection.

During the selection process, MBZ’s team may request additional supporting materials from applicants if needed.

REGISTRATION FEE
·    International active participants: €500
·    Croatian and regional* active participants: €250
·    International passive participants: €150
·    Croatian and regional* passive participants: €100

*Regional registration fee: Participants residing in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia are eligible for the regional registration fee. This reduced rate reflects MBZ’s commitment to strengthening collaboration and encouraging participation from the wider Southeast and Central European region.

Selected participants of the MBZ Masterclass for Composers will receive further information regarding the registration fee payment procedure and methods. Active and passive participants are entitled to a free festival pass for all other programmes of the 34th Music Biennale Zagreb.

Applications are submitted via the Entrio application form. A €10 application fee must be paid upon submission (VAT and registration fee are included in the price).