Emerging Voices: Ukrainian Composer

Gaudeamus, Internationale Ensemble Modern Akademie, and the Ukrainian Institute in The Netherlands team up for a special project to be presented at the Gaudeamus Festival 2026. We would like to give the opportunity to an emerging Ukrainian composer to write a new composition for the IEMA-Ensemble, to be presented in the Gaudeamus Festival 2026.

The composer is invited to write an acoustic piece – not longer than 8 minutes, max. 10 musicians – by choosing from the following instruments:

• 1 flute (including piccolo, bass flute)
• 1 oboe (including english horn)
• 1 clarinet (including bass clarinet)
• 1 bassoon
• 1 piano
• 2 violins
• 1 viola
• 1 violoncello
• percussion (one player!)

No Electronics. It is possible to write for a smaller selection from this line-up, minimum three instruments. A conductor would be available.

Eligibility & Submission Details
This composer journey is offered in conjunction with the Ukrainian Institute in The Netherlands and takes place within the framework of the Ulysses Journeys programme by the Ulysses Platform, designed to offer emerging artists a wide variety of concrete experiences (masterclasses, residencies, workshops) in various domains (composition, improvisation, performance, electronics, sound design, curating) in order to improve their skills under the leadership of world-class mentors.

Applicants must:

• be born after January 1, 1994
• reside in Ukraine or Europe (no travel fees outside Europe can be reimbursed)
• be able to speak and understand English

Documents to be submitted online

• Curriculum vitae in English (maximum of two pages)
• Scores of two or three finalized works of different instrumentation
• Recordings in mp3 format of at least one of the submitted works (online links are also possible)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026, 12 pm CEST (Amsterdam GMT).

You will hear whether your piece has been chosen via a personal reply by email on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Jury
Jury members will be: Dietmar Wiesner and Rainer Römer (IEMA-Ensemble), Antonii Baryshevskyi and Liubov Morozova (on behalf of the Ukrainian Institute in the Netherlands), and curator Jonás Bisquert (Gaudeamus). Jury selection is irrevocable.

What we offer:

• accommodation is covered
• travel is covered
• per diem (if food and drinks are not offered on location)
• a stipend of €1500