Project SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy

As we live in this globalized society, we are presented with more opportunities to compose for non-European instruments into the context of contemporary music. However, understanding the historical and cultural background, as well as studying the instrumentation and performance techniques of those instruments are attended by many obstacles, one of which is the lack of resources. SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy welcomes twelve composers from around the world to compose for non-European instruments under the guidance of renowned mentors.

The second academy focuses on two mouth-organs from East Asia; the Chinese sheng and the Japanese shō. SEED invites two renowned musicians, Lichin LI (sheng) and Chatori SHIMIZU (shō), as our guest mentors. During the Virtual Academy, participating students compose a new work for one of the two instruments, while attending online lectures, workshops, and one-on-one composition lessons by our composition mentor JunYi Chow. The academy will be conducted in English.

At the academy, six students will be assigned to compose for shō, and the other six students will be assigned to compose for sheng. The students are to compose a solo work with a duration of 5 minutes. The student works will be rehearsed and professionally recorded in a studio at the end of the academy.

❖ FACULTY

Chatori SHIMIZU, shō performer (Japan)
Lichin LI, sheng performer (Taiwan)
JunYi CHOW, composer (Malaysia/US)

❖ APPLICATION

All composers, regardless of age, gender, race are encouraged to apply. Prior knowledge of shō and sheng are not necessary.

❖ FEE
The participation cost for selected finalists to attend SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy is US$385. TWO full scholarships will be awarded to the participants.

❖ SCHEDULE
The proposed schedule of SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy will run from May to September. This will consist of a total of FIVE lectures, TWO reading sessions, TWO individual composition lessons, and ONE open rehearsal. Since the participating composers are chosen through a rigorous screening, all selected participants are to participate in all lectures and workshops to the best of their abilities.

We envision participants around the world, therefore we take into consideration all participants’ time-zones as much as possible. However, in some circumstances, there are possibilities of lessons or lectures being scheduled in early morning/late evening in your time-zone.

For any questions or concerns, direct your inquiry via email to projectseed.music@gmail.com

Details and online application form are available here.