OVERVIEW

Unheard-of//Ensemble is hosting  the Collaborative Composition Initiative workshop (CCI//Sessions) in St. Louis, Missouri between August 10th and 15th, 2026. This CCI, we will be partnering with Christopher Stark and Washington University in St. Louis to workshop new premieres and then present concerts, installations, and creative happenings across the city. Composers will have the opportunity to workshop new compositions with Unheard-of Ensemble to be recorded using Unheard-of’s cinema cameras and audio setup. Composers will study with composition faculty Rome-prize winning composer Christopher Stark and Liliya Ugay, Professor of Composition at Florida State University. After the workshop, Unheard-of and participants will work together to develop an album recording. Participants and the ensembles will collaborate in the development of a performance installation using sound samples and field recordings taken during the week in St. Louis.

In addition to our ensemble workshops, there will be a variety of lectures from the ensembles and guest composers. Topics range from instrumental writing for electroacoustic ensemble, working with digital electronics (streaming, live processing, and more), building large scale projects, and topics selected by our composition faculty.  Composers receive four composition lessons (two each with Chris and Liliya) and take part in performances throughout the week. We also feature local artists and guest lecturers throughout the workshop.

The CCI is limited to between eight and ten composer participants writing full ensemble works for Unheard-of. Ford and Matheus will work with participants to edit and mix the tracks for release as part of CCI//Sessions, vol. 8. 

Read a review of a review CCI from Classical Voice North America!

Over the Course of the Week, Composers Will:

• Have their piece workshopped by the ensemble

• Four composition lessons

• Recording and mixing of work to be released on CCI//Sessions Album

• Hands-on installation developed in collaboration with ensemble

• Lectures by local artists and guests

APPLICATION LINK