ECHI x Istantanea - International commissioning project 2026

Deadline: 7 February 2026 23:45

ECHI x Istantanea - International commissioning project 2026 

presents:

TWOSOME

International Commissioning Project 2026

For clarinet and cello: Michele Fontana and Elide Sulsenti (+electronic available)

Istantanea, in collaboration with the ECHI Festival, announces the first edition of the International Commissioning Project 2026, addressed to emerging composers of any age, nationality, or gender.

The initiative aims to promote contemporary music through the creation of new original works that will be performed by Michele Fontana (Bb clarinet, Eb piccolo clarinet and bass clarinet available) and Elide Sulsenti (Cello) during the ECHI Festival 2026 spin-off event.

Founded in 2018, Istantanea is an artistic collective that fosters collaboration between musicians and composers from diverse backgrounds and languages. Originating from the experiences of the Mercato Sonato in Bologna and the Tower Jazz Composers Orchestra in Ferrara, Istantanea engages in an ongoing exploration of the intersections between contemporary music, improvisation, jazz traditions, and interdisciplinary experiments involving sound, visual art, body, and electronics.

Commission

Between one and three composers will be selected and commissioned to write a new piece for clarinet and cello (with the possibility to add electronics), to be performed by Michele Fontana and Elide Sulsenti.

The commissioned works will receive their world premieres during the ECHI Festival spin-off event, which will take place at Castello di Mongiorgio (Bologna), in collaboration with the association Castelli in Aria (https://www.castelliinaria.org/il-castello/).

Selected composers will have the possibility to stay at Mongiorgio castle for the duration of the event.

Up to three commissions will be awarded in total:

  • One commission for the composition of a new work for clarinet (Bb, piccolo in Eb, and bass clarinets available) and cello, to be performed by Michele Fontana and Elide Sulsenti, with a total fee of €500;
  • Two commissions for the composition of a solo piece (clarinet solo or cello solo), with a total fee of €300 each.

Selection Procedure

Selection will be based on portfolio evaluation.

Applicants must submit up to three scores, each accompanied by an audio recording (studio, live, or MIDI simulation if necessary).

Among the submitted works, there must be:

  • at least one composition including a string instrument;

or

  • at least one composition including a woodwind instrument.

Applicants may also optionally include a short written proposal (PDF) describing the concept or initial idea for the new piece for clarinet and cello. This document is not mandatory, but it will be considered as part of the evaluation material.

If a composer wishes to present a larger number of works or apply with more than one selection from their portfolio, they may submit a second complete application (including a different set of scores and recordings) by paying a second application fee of €15.

Each application will be evaluated independently by the jury.

Eligibility

  • The call is open to emerging composers of any age, gender, or nationality.
  • Works included in the portfolio may have been previously performed, recorded, published, or awarded.
  • Scores must be complete and legible, in PDF format. Anonymity is not required.
  • Recordings must be provided in MP3 format; MIDI simulations are also accepted.
  • The commissioned works must have a maximum duration of 10 minutes (duo) and 7 minutes (solo).

Application Fee

A €15 application fee is required and must be paid via PayPal to the following address: istantanea.ensemble@gmail.com.

Please ensure that the amount received is €15 net of any PayPal fees.

Benefits for Selected Composers

  • A commission for the creation of a new work.
  • Public performance of the newly written work by Ensemble Istantanea during the ECHI Festival 2026 at the Castello di Mongiorgio.
  • Professional audio and video recording of the performance.
  • Accommodation at the Castello di Mongiorgio during rehearsals and the concert, during which  composers will be invited to collaborate closely with the performers.
  • Possible further performances by the Istantanea Collective.

All selected composers will retain full rights to their works and may freely distribute or commercially publish the recordings and videos of their compositions.

Timeline

  • Opening of applications: November 11, 2025
  • Deadline for submissions: February 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (CET)
  • Announcement of selected composers: February 18, 2026
  • Payment of first half of commission fee: February 2026
  • Deadline for submission of completed score: May 1, 2026
  • Payment of second half of commission fee: June 2026
  • Residency and concert period: June 2026

Application Guidelines

Applications must be submitted via this Google Form and must include:

  • From one to three scores (PDF), with corresponding audio recordings or MIDI simulations (anonymity not required);
  • An updated curriculum vitae (PDF);
  • Personal and contact information (name, age, nationality, email, phone number, website, etc.);
  • (Optional) A written proposal describing the concept for the new piece for clarinet and cello;
  • The receipt of payment for the application fee.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Jury

The selection will be carried out by a jury composed of:

  • Members of the artistic board of the ECHI Festival (Livia Malossi,  Gabriel De Pace, Damiano Ferretti, Riccardo Perugini);
  • Members of the artistic board of Istantanea (Gioia Gurioli, Dimitri Sillato);
  • Michele Fontana and Elide Sulsenti.
  • Additional external jury members will be announced soon.

In exceptional circumstances, the jury reserves the right not to award any commission if the submitted applications do not meet the artistic standards required.

Event Cancellation

In the event of a complete cancellation of the ECHI Festival 2026 spin-off, any application fees already paid will be fully refunded.

The organizers also reserve the right to modify the dates, location, or format of the event in the case of extraordinary circumstances; any changes will be communicated promptly to the selected applicants.

Contacts

info.festivalechi@gmail.com

For further information: https://www.festivalechi.eu/home

festivalechi.eu/home