Echoes of the Meuse-Rhine
Proposal to ECHOESMR@proton.me
We invite young composers (max 30 years old) to submit proposals for the development of new works for contemporary music for Ensemble Hopper with electronics that explore spatial audio. The selected composers will have the opportunity to realize the work with support of the partners of the Echoes of the
Meuse-Rhine project (Intro in Situ, Ensemble Hopper, Centre Henri Pousseur, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln). We offer artistic guidance, workshops, production support, and the compensation of travel costs. The new pieces will be performed by Ensemble Hopper at unique heritage sites in the Euregion Meuse-Rhine.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
We ask applicants to submit a proposal for a composition that:
● blends acoustic instrumentation with electronic music and spatial audio.
● goes beyond the traditional concert hall setting and explores location based concepts.
● demonstrates creativity, originality and feasibility;
● and, can be performed and be relevant in 6 unique heritage sites, incorporating the acoustics in the composition.
In addition:
● a short biography about yourself and professional work;
● your motivation for taking part in the project (including your connection with the Euregio)
● 2 finished scores or performance material.
WHAT WE OFFER
● Professional support and Artistic guidance from the partners of the project
● Free workshops on and Masterclasses about electronic music and spatial audio. From Rutger Muller (Maastricht), Centre Henri Pousseur (Liege) and the Studio for Electronic Music (Cologne).
● 6 Performances of the compositions at heritage sites in the Euregio.
● Compensation of travel costs
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
● Deadline for submissions: 21 April 2026
● Announcement of selection: 30 April 2026
● Development runs until the end of 2026 and the compositions will be performed in spring and summer of 2027.
● Who can participate: composers that are artistically active in the euregio Meuse-Rhine (Incl. autodidact composers)
● There is no financial compensation for this project, however travel costs will be compensated.
ASSESSMENT
Submissions will be assessed by a committee consisting of representatives from Intro In Situ, Ensemble Hopper, Centre Henri Pousseur and Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and will be assessed on:
• creative content and artistic expressiveness;
• originality;
• expressed motivation to work with the artistic coaches and Ensemble Hopper;
• and, the extent to which the work can be performed live and takes into account Spatial Audio.
Send your proposal (max. 2 A4) to ECHOESMR@proton.me