Harp Composition Class
Mit Sarah Nemtsov & Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir
Workshop with selection process
Tutors: Sarah Nemtsov, Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir
When: Six days, dates tba
Who: Composers (chosen from the Call for Composers), participants of the harp studio
Application deadline: 10 February 2025
After having been selected for the workshop, participants must register regularly for participation in the Darmstadt Summer Course. Online booking for composition will be opened afterwards to the chosen participants.
Call for Composers
Twelve composers are invited to take part in an intensive six-day course with tutors Sarah Nemtsov, Gunnhildur Einarsdóttir and her harp class. During the course the composers write a short piece for harp solo (or several harps) in close collaboration with a harpist and with guidance from the tutors. The course’s main emphasis is on the collaborative process.
The course will cover topics such as:
- An introduction to contemporary harp techniques and notation
- Close collaboration between composers and performers
- Experimentation on a single sound, gesture or action, including theatrical aspects
- Improvisational and explorative techniques
- Precise notation and communication between performer and composer
The composers can bring sketches to the course, however, the pieces should be finished during the course in a collaborative process.
A presentation of the new harp miniatures is planned.
Schedule
Day 1
10.30–11.30 Group Meeting 1 tutti, composers and performers
11.30–13.30 Harp presentation seminar, tutti
15.00–18.00 Group Sessions 1, 2 composers & 1 player in 6 rooms
Day 2
10.00–13.30 Group Sessions 2 (and composers compose afternoons/evenings on days 2–5)
Day 3
10.00–13.30 Group Sessions 3
Day 4
10.00–13.30 Group Sessions 4
Day 5
10.00–13.30 Group Sessions 5
15.00–17.00 Group Meeting 2 tutti, feedback & discussion
Day 6
11–13.00 Composer Seminar discussion
14–16.30 Dress rehearsal
17.00 Concert
Application
Please submit ONE PDF file (LASTNAME_Firstname_HarpComposition2025.pdf) containing the following by 10 February 2025:
- A short motivation letter for participating in the class and what interests you about writing for the harp
- Links to 2 recent scores plus the relevant recordings (not necessarily for harp)
- A short CV
harp@darmstaedter-ferienkurse.de
Please note that we cannot consider any remarks, links, or information outside the PDF files!
Applicants will be notified in March 2025. Online booking for composition will open for selected participants afterwards.
Important: Please take note of our data protection policy and the conditions for participation for the Darmstadt Summer Course before submitting your application.