The Cortona Sessions Composition Program is designed to provide composers with high-quality premiere performances in conjunction with a valuable and educational professional experience. Students accepted as participants into the composition program will enjoy the following:

  • world premiere of 1 new work written expressly for the Cortona Sessions

  • opportunity to compose an additional work(s) or have another work performed

  • recordings (audio and video) of performed works

  • group lessons with Cortona Sessions composition faculty

  • one-on-one coachings with performers

  • opportunity to present their music in symposiums throughout the festival

  • interact with guest composers

  • excursions with other faculty and fellows

  • valuable friendships and professional development

2025 COMPOSITION FACULTY

ANTHONY R. GREEN, program director
TINA TALLON


APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

deadline:  February 1, 2025
eligibility:  all composers age 18 and over
application fee: pay-what-you-can (suggested $35)
tuition and lodging info here

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

The application will ask you to please submit:

  • links to recordings of 2 works performed in the last 3 years

  • contact info for 2 recommenders who can comment on the applicant in both professional and social settings (no recommendation letters needed)

  • optional: link to score or notational materials if relevant to your creative practice

Audio/Visual Fellowship
We are prepared to offer up to a full-tuition scholarship for one or more applicants who can provide audio/visual documentation services and/or other technological support. Specific responsibilities in this role will be dependent on your previous experience and talents, and could include any combination of the following: photographic documentation of the Sessions, video documentation of concerts, audio engineering for concerts, technical support for rehearsals and classes, production management, and more. There is a section on the application to fill out if you would like to be considered; there, please submit a brief description of your previous experience in audio-visual documentation and/or music technology, and please include links to work samples.

email all questions to: info@cortonasessions.org


The Cortona Sessions will accept a small number of composers, age 18 and over as of the start of the festival.

Accepted participants will be asked to compose one new work for ensemble consisting of participating performers and faculty to be premiered at the Cortona Sessions. Works must be submitted by the pre-sessions deadline (TBA) to be guaranteed performance at the Sessions. Works received after this date will not be guaranteed performances. Composers may also have the opportunity to submit pre-existing compositions for possible performance during the Sessions. 

Instrumentation Possibilities for Compositions:
TBA after attendance confirmed


The Cortona Prize

Applications are open!