OVERVIEW

Unheard-of//Ensemble is hosting  the Collaborative Composition Initiative workshop (CCI//Sessions) in San Antonio, Texas between August 8th and 16th, 2025. This CCI, we will be presenting concerts, installations, and creative workshops across the city, from the San Antonio Missions and Confluence Park to coffee shops and community spaces. This year marks a special partnership with German chamber ensemble PART. Both ensembles will workshop new compositions with participants to be recorded using Unheard-of’s cinema cameras and audio setup. 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 San Antonio.

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 three composition lessons (one each with Juri, Carter Williams, and Evelin Degen) and take part in performances from invited guest artists throughout the week. We also feature local artists, poets, and guest lecturers throughout the workshop.

We are limiting the workshop to 12 composer participants to write full ensemble works for Unheard-of and PART. Ford and Matheus will work with participants to edit and mix the tracks for release as part of CCI//Sessions, vol. 7.

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

Over the Course of the Week, Composers Will:

• Have two works workshopped by the ensembles (one longer and one shorter work based on preference)

• Three composition lessons

• Recording and mixing released on CCI//Sessions Album

• Hands-on installation developed in collaboration with ensembles

• Lectures by local artists and guests

Applicants must be ages 18+. There are no restrictions on the nationality of applicants provided they are able to travel to San Antonio for the program. We provide letters of invitation to accepted applicants who require visas, and if they need documentation beyond that, we can work with them. We have limited scholarships available, but no specific international travel support.