Etchings 2017





Attention Composers! 

Here’s your chance to work with composers Raphaël Cendo and Philippe Leroux and premiere a new work with the Ecce Ensemble. This year's Etchings program takes place from June 26th to July 3rd, 2017. For more information and to apply:

http://www.eccearts.com/etchings_2017
http://www.eccearts.com/etchings_composition_info

VCCA Fellow John Aylward, began the Etchings Festival in 2009, collaborating with VCCA at its Moulin à Nef Studio Center in Auvillar, France. VCCA's wish to have an international program that would further its mission of arts advocacy combined with John’s desire to create a positive environment for young emerging composers, where they would develop their craft through honest, frank interactions with each other. In a hyperactive Internet culture, it is more and more a unique experience to retreat to a quiet place to cultivate your art in a community of other passionate artists. To be influenced by such a community while being mentored by some of the great composers of our time and some of the best interpreters of modern music: that’s what the Etchings Festival provides.  

Concerts at the festival take place in a 14th Century chapel, renovated and acoustically sublime. The village of Auvillar is deeply invested in the arts, and villagers come from across the countryside to attend festival concerts. Auvillar is on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route and so often traveling pilgrims will attend festival events.

Participant composers meet each morning for private lessons and each afternoon for masterclasses where guests share their music and critique participant work. In the evening, the village is alive with activity; you can sample delicious food and wine from local vineyards. 

The fellows who study at Etchings come from around the world, traveling from as far as far away as Singapore and Argentina. The level of teaching is as high as any major international festival, but with the intimacy that allows for great attention and consideration to be given to each fellow. And fellows know they will receive an expert performance of their work: the ensemble rehearses each day with each fellow, resulting in stellar performances and lasting collaborations.


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