Cortona Sessions for New Music
June 28 - July 12, 2015
open to student and emerging composers & performers of any instrument / voice type
​APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
deadline: February 9, 2015 (email)
EXTENDED TO MARCH 1, 2015 FOR SAX SESSIONS
eligibility: all performers age 18 and over
application fee: $25 (paid online via PayPal)
tuition: Standard Performer: $2,050USD
Chamber Music Initiative - group of 5+: $1,000USD
Chamber Music Initiative - group of 3-4: $1,200USD
Saxophone Sessions (individual): $1,450USD*
Saxophone Sessions (ensemble): $1,000USD*
paid online via PayPal - can be paid in installments w/authorization
includes:
14 nights in Hotel Oasi Neumann w/breakfast
round-trip train to Florence
attendance/participation in all festival events
*saxophone sessions are 10 nights
additional/supplemental costs​
single room: $300 (for saxophone sessions, $210)
wine tour: €150 (paid in Cortona - cash preferred)
​application form
Please complete and submit the online application form.​
supplemental materials
In addition to the application form, please submit the following:
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a recording demonstrating your performance ability - at least three contrasting pieces (one should be from the 20th/21st Century)
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please submit an electronic format via email/dropbox
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contact info for a recommendor who can comment on the applicant in both professional and social settings
email all supplemental materials to:
​
percussionists
Percussion at the Cortona Sessions will be limited to marimba, vibraphone, and portable/small percussion instruments.
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
2014 Performance Faculty
mezzo-soprano: Rachel Calloway
flute: Mary Fukushima
clarinet: Michael Norsworthy
saxophone: h2 Quartet
Geoffrey Deibel
Jeffrey Loeffert
Kimberly Goddard Loeffert
Jonathan Nichol
violin: Ari Streisfeld
cello: Kivie Cahn-Lipman
piano: Amir Khosrowpour
piano: Michael Kirkendoll
percussion: Ji Hye Jung
The Cortona Sessions performance program open to vocalists
and performers on ANY INSTRUMENT age 18 and over.
Performers with all levels of contemporary music experience are encouraged to apply. Accepted performers will will be assigned new compositions in mid April for both solo and ensemble premieres. Each performer will receive private or group lessons with the performance faculty. Throughout the Sessions, performance participants will:
• premiere new works by festival composers alongside other participants and faculty
• perform in masterclasses/lessons with Cortona Sessions faculty
• collaborate in coachings with composers
• participate in Cortona Sessions Performance Competition (optional)
• develop their contemporary performance skills through lectures and private lessons
• receive round-trip train tickets to Florence for excursion
• have opportunities to perform and demonstrate significant works from the traditional
contemporary repertoire
• perform in the Iron Composer Competition
The Cortona Contemporary Chamber Music Initiative
The Cortona Sessions Contemporary Chamber Music Initiave (CCMI) is a new program designed to encourage pre-formed chamber ensembles to attend the Sessions. Ensembles will have new works written expressly for their instrumentations which they will premiere at the Sessions. They will also have the opportunity to perform works from their repertoire on a special CCMI Concert during the Sessions. In addition, all ensemble members will have the opportunity to perform additional premieres as soloists or in mixed ensembles with faculty and other participants. Ensembles will receive special coachings and all benefits of attending the Cortona Sessions. Participating ensembles will leave the Sessions with the title Ensemble Fellow of the Cortona Sessions.
The Cortona Saxophone Sessions
In conjunction with our ensemble-in-residence h2 Quartet, and in support of the World Saxophone Congress being held this summer in Strasbourg, France, the Cortona Sessions is excited to offer a special session for saxophonists enabling them to attend both the Cortona Sessions and the World Congress while in Europe. Both individual saxophonists and saxophone quartets/ensembles are invited to attend and will receive direct coaching from the members of the h2 Quartet as well as:
• opportunity to have new works written for their ensembles
• perform premieres by Sessions composers
• play in ensemble settings with the members of the h2 Quartet and the Cortona Collective
• possibly participate in the Contemporary Performance Competition
​CORTONA SESSIONS CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE COMPETITION
In 2012, the Sessions established its first Contemporary Performance Competition. This competition provides performance participants with the opportunity to play major works from the 20th/21st Centuries in an encouraging competition setting. The primary intention of the the competition is to encourage future collaboration between Cortona Sessions Fellows. The winner of the Cortona Sessions Contemporary Performance Competition receives the Hiebert Prize:
• a cash prize (amount TBD)
• a commission sponsored by the DuoSolo Foundation - the winner will commission a composer in attendance at the
Sessions for a new work, with the composer's commissioning fee covered by the DuoSolo Foundation.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS:
​All participants in the competition will perform two works (see below). Memory is NOT required. All works must be for SOLO INSTRUMENT ALONE, except for vocal works which may have piano accompaniment.** No electronic pieces will be allowed.

Work 1: Must be composed between 1940-1990
Work 2: Must be composed between 1980-present*

*Manuscript scores, new works, and works by colleagues or emerging composers are welcome.
**Vocalists: We encourage the selection of art songs rather than arias for the competition.
*** All repertoire must be approved by the Sessions directors.