Spatial Spheres: 3D-Audio Art Lab

The workshop Spatial Spheres is a two-week 3D-Audio Art Lab designed to explore the artistic and technical dimensions of spatial audio. Through a series of workshops, participants will delve into key topics such as artistic concepts, practical techniques, basic acoustics, and the creative potential of 3D audio. The lab also features creative space sessions dedicated to working with international performance course tutors exploring the possibility of spatial audio with their instruments.

In addition, various concerts with renowned artists with different approaches to spatial audio will take place during the two-week workshop period.

Open Call for participation / for works

We are looking for composers, performers and sound engineers who have exciting ideas for an innovative approach to 3D audio. Pre-experience in spatial audio is not required, but composers (and engineers) should be able to fluently work their DAW of choice. Technical equipment aside from computers and network adapters will be provided on site. All relevant information on technical requirements must be coordinated with the production team.

Through this call, up to seven performers and seven composers will be selected to work together on site to create short, spatial audio pieces. Submissions are welcome for both pre-produced works, which can offer new approaches to electro-acoustic and acousmatic sound and soundscape, socio-political, fictional or content-based compositions, as well as pieces that incorporate live spatialization and/or live musicians. Performers may also apply to realize a pre-existing spatial audio work or to create a new spatial realization of a pre-existing work for live instrument and electronics. Equally, composers may apply to create a purely acousmatic work.

Sound engineers who attend the course will be tasked with (and supported in) leading the delivery of these works alongside their performers and composers.

The works will be presented during the second week of the Summer Course in a public performance supported by the workshop tutors. This performance will take place on 27 July 2025 as part of the Darmstadt Summer Course at the Bessunger Knabenschule, where a complete 3D audio system will be installed on two levels (soundscape by and in cooperation with d&b).

All selected participants will get the chance to actively work in the two-week workshop, engaging collaboratively in the creative and learning process.

Application

Required documents:

Composers, performers, sound engineers

• a short (maximum half-page) letter of motivation explaining why you would like to take part in the project
• 3 links to examples of your recent work (audio files and/or videos and scores (if existing)

Composers and performers

• a concept (if the piece is not written yet) or a text and documentation that outlines the artistic idea for sound and spatialization
• a simple setup plan (max 2 or 3 pages please) giving an overview of the setup of your piece

Please merge all documents into ONE SINGLE PDF file (LASTNAME_Firstname_SpatialSpheres_2025.pdf)

and e-mail it by 1 March 2025 to:

spatialspheres@darmstaedter-ferienkurse.de

Please note that we cannot consider any remarks, links, or information outside the PDF!
If you have sound or video files, please upload them on a cloud and provide the link in the PDF, thank you!

Applicants will be notified by beginning of April 2025.

Important: Please take note of our data protection policy and the conditions for participation for the Darmstadt Summer Course before submitting your application.