ICEBERG INSTITUTE
A partnership between ICEBERG New Music and the Ollin Izek Foundation
July 17-28, 2023
Vienna, Austria
The ICEBERG Institute is a two-week composition intensive in Vienna, Austria. Participants receive rigorous individual instruction from world-class faculty members and hear their music performed in an historic setting by some of the best contemporary musicians in Central Europe. The Institute is open to composers of any nationality and experience level.
Applications for the 2023 ICEBERG Institute are now closed.
Accepted participants and auditors: use the button below to pay your non-refundable deposit.
ICEBERG New Music,
Faculty
The ten composers of ICEBERG New Music are committed to exploring every boundary of contemporary concert music. They are acclaimed composers and distinguished educators who have collaborated with some of the world's foremost contemporary ensembles and performers, and heard their music performed across five continents. As a collective, ICEBERG has presented concerts across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Their first album, a collaboration with acclaimed pianist Jenny Lin, was released in 2018 by Sono Luminus Records. ICEBERG New Music has produced over 20 concerts of new music since 2016, encompassing more than 150 world premieres.
ICEBERG New music is:
Drake Andersen
Victor Baez*
Stephanie Ann Boyd - https://www.stephanieannboyd.com/
Alex Burtzos*
Yu-Chun Chien
* Denotes in-person faculty. Other ICEBERG member composers will appear remotely.
Derek Cooper
https://www.derekcoopercomposer.com/
Jack Frerer*
Max Grafe*
Jessica Mays
Harry Stafylakis
Oscar Bianchi,
Distinguished Guest Faculty
Oscar Bianchi has been awarded numerous prizes, such as the Gaudeamus first Prize, the Grand Prix de la SACEM, the International Rostrum of composer's prize, and the German Record Critics' Award. Thanks to My Eyes, his first opera (commissioned by the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence with libretto and staging by Joel Pommerat) received critical acclaim by audiences and critics alike ("A masterly portrait of Melancholy," Le Monde, July 7, 2011). His music is performed by prestigious ensembles and orchestras such as the Gewandhaus Leipzig, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Orchestre Philarmonique de Radio France, Deutsche Symphonie Orchester, Ensemble Modern, Klangforum, London Symphonietta, Ictus, Les Percussions de Strasbourg, ICE, Remix, Ensemble Contrechamps, JACK, Diotima, Asko-Schonberg, Collegium Novum Zürich. After studying at Milan Conservatory, he fostered his education at IRCAM in Paris and Columbia University in New York. He's been an artist in residence at the DAAD Kunstlerprogramm Berlin and Pro-Helvetia Warsaw and Johannesburg.
Adrián Artacho,
Guest Faculty
Adrián Artacho is a composer whose work extends from theater and dance to electroacoustic music & multimedia. Artacho is also an active performer of live electronics in different configurations, including self-built musical instruments, which contributes to the unusual configuration of musicians in brainchild. He is also an artistic researcher at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where he explores new uses of technology in live performances.
Trio Immersio,
Ensemble in Residence
Founded in 2013, Trio Immersio won the Suzuki-Enami Foundation prize at the 2013 Fidelio competition within two months of its existence, and has been recognized with a number of awards and prizes since. Notably, Trio Immersio received the “New Sound of Austrian Music” program of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, given to select musicians to represent the musical culture and traditions of Austria all over the globe. They are also the winner of the Bank of Austria Arts Prize 2016, and are proud members of the Le Dimore del Quartetto association.
Trio Immersio has performed at prestigious venues including the Musikverein Wien, Wiener Konzerthaus, RadioKulturhaus Wien, Flagey in Brussels, Royal Danish Opera, Teatru Manoel in Malta, Theatre Sorano in Dakar, CRR Concer Salonu in Istanbul, Schönberg Centre, Ancient Amphitheater in Bodrum, Kyiv Philharmonie, Georgian National Parliamentary Library. Active worldwide, Trio Immersio has toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Japan.
Musicians in Residence
Joel Diegert (saxophones) is a dynamic musician, representing a new young generation of international saxophonists. He has won prizes at several major international competitions and performs in the US and throughout Europe. He has appeared in concerts at the RadioKulturhaus (Vienna), Konzerthaus (Vienna), and Muzikgebouw (Amsterdam), and appearances at festivals such as Wien Modern (Vienna), Synthermeia Festival (Greece), and many of the Saxophone World Congresses held around the globe. He is a member the saxophone quintet FiveSax and the piano-saxophone duo Solaris. He is dedicated to the development and promotion of contemporary music, having premiered countless works, and collaborated with many composers. Joel’s writing has been published in Saxophone Journal, and additional articles can be found on his saxophone blog, “Hot for Saxophone.”
Liina Leijala (cello) is a finalist in the EBU Young Soloist competition and prize winner in several other international competitions. She has performed widely all over in Europe, USA and Asia in recitals and as a soloist. Leijala debuted in Wiener Musikverein in October 2013 in "Junge Talente" concert series. As a chamber musician, Leijala has worked with the Barbirolli Quartet in London, and in Gironcoli Quartet Vienna. With Gironcoli Quartet she received first prize in the International Chamber Music Competition in Bled 2013. Leijala played as a solo cellist in Orchester Academy of Vienna Philharmonic 2009-2011. Since 2011, she has performed with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Leijala is also member of Verbier Festival Orchestras and Salzburg Chamber Soloists. Her instrument is Vincenzo Postiglione 1896, for which she presents the most cordial thanks to the Finnish Culture Foundation.
Alfredo Ovalles (piano) started his formal music education with Professor Carlos Urbaneja in the “Juan José Landaeta” Conservatory of Music and in the Mozarteum School of Music in Caracas, Venezuela. He also studied in the United States with Krassimira Jordan in the Baylor University School of Music, later on moving to Vienna, Austria, where he did postgraduate studies with Thomas Kreuzberger at the University of Music and Performing Arts. Alongside this he has also received the advice of artists such as Gabriela Montero, Anton Nel, Walter Blankenheim and Kristiina Juntuu. In parallel to his studies, Alfredo was active in the competition circuit, receiving awards such as the first prize in the VIII International “Franz Schubert” Competition in Bulgaria and the second prizes in the IV “María Clara Cullell International Piano Competition” in San José de Costa Rica and the 14th Osaka International Music Competition in Japan. Alfredo is in demand as a soloist and chamber musician internationally. Engagements have taken him to Belarus, Germany, Poland, Romania, Spain, and the Dominican Republic, among others, performing at wonderful venues including the Berliner Philharmonie, the Wiener Konzerthaus, and King’s Place in London. He had the pleasure of performing not only solo recitals but also together with orchestras such as the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in Gdańsk, the Orchestra of the Academic and Musical Theater of Minsk, Belarus and the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic.
Institute Schedule
The ICEBERG Institute will take place in-person in Vienna, Austria from July 17-28, 2023. The Institute is designed to provide composers with daily instruction and feedback, multiple opportunities to hear their music workshopped and performed, free time to write and study, and opportunities to create personal connections with the faculty and with their fellow participants while exploring central Europe.
Participants will share their work in masterclass settings and receive feedback from the members of ICEBERG New Music and distinguished guest faculty member Oscar Bianchi. Every participant will have a new composition premiered by Trio Immersio, and receive high-quality audio/video documentation of the performance.
ICEBERG Institute 2023 General Schedule
JULY 17
Readings/Rehearsals with Trio Immersio, Panel Discussion
JULY 18 - 21
Daily composition instruction, Daily Seminar, Revision Period
JULY 22
Trip to Heiligenstadt / Beethovenhaus Tour
JULY 23
Deadline to submit finalized performance materials
JULY 24-27
Daily masterclasses, seminars, rehearsals, and presentations
JULY 28
Closing concert / Dinner
Participant Experience
Video by Danielle (DJ) Bees, 2022 Participant
ICEBERG Institute is designed to provide participants with a rewarding academic experience while still allowing them maximum time to explore Vienna, one of the world's greatest musical cities. Participants are provided with air-conditioned lodging and complimentary breakfast/lunch every weekday. They receive all-inclusive metro passes to take advantage of Vienna's extensive bus, subway, and tram system. A weekend excursion to Heiligenstadt provides participants with a personalized tour of the Beethovenhaus museum and majestic vistas of the city.
Classes, lessons, masterclasses and seminars are held at the Penzingerstraße campus of the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (Vienna's music University). Each participant receives at least four hours of individual instruction, as well as a masterclass with guest faculty and the opportunity to present work to their peers.
Participant accommodations are located a short tram ride from campus, in an area full of restaurants, shops, and parks.
"This truly was an amazing experience that I will forever cherish, so thank you all SO much for working so hard and making it happen!" - 2022 Participant
"Genuinely this is one of, if not the single best festival I've ever been to." - 2022 Participant
How to Apply
Applications for the 2023 ICEBERG Institute are now open!
To apply, click the "Apply Now" button above and complete the online application form. Composers are welcome to apply as active participants (16 spots available) or auditors (10 spots available). All participants and auditors must be 18 years or older.
All applicants will need to provide the following:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Citizenship
- Link to a resumé or C.V.
- Links to two work samples (scores) with accompanying recordings
- A brief paragraph describing their artistic practice and interests
Additionally, accepted candidates will be asked to supply the following before arrival:
- Proof of valid passport
- Proof of health insurance
There is no application fee. If you have questions, please contact us.
Cost of Attendance
COURSE FEE: €3450 (participants), €850 (auditors)
NOTE: Participant fee includes tuition, air-conditioned accommodations, weekend excursion, and two meals every weekday.
Participant course fee includes:
- All classes and workshops
- All transportation within Vienna
- Accommodations
- Daily lunch (weekdays)
- Heiligenstadt excursion and guided Beethovenhaus tour
- Concert performance
- High-quality audio and video recording
Participants must utilize the apartment accommodations supplied by the Institute.
Auditor course fee includes:
- All classes and workshops
- Daily lunch (weekdays)
- Concert admission.
Note that auditors are responsible for securing their own lodging in Vienna. The Heiligenstadt tour is not included in the auditor fee, but auditors wishing to attend may do so by request, for an additional fee.
Some financial aid is available, and will be awarded to full participants on a need-based basis. PLEASE NOTE: this financial aid is limited, and will cover only a portion of the cost of attendance.
Application and Fee Timeline
JANUARY 15, 2023 – Application deadline
FEBRUARY 15, 2023 – Decision emails sent
MARCH 1, 2023 – €500 non-refundable deposit due, credited towards tuition fee
MAY 1, 2023 – Full Tuition Due
JUNE 1, 2023 – Composition Draft Submission Deadline
JULY 16, 2023 – Participants arrive
JULY 17-28, 2023 – ICEBERG Institute
JULY 29, 2023 – Participants depart