After recovering from our sojourn to Slovenia, we’re back to a work day at IMFA. We began with a seminar with a guest composition student from Udine, also named Stefano. He shared two works with us, including a wonderful work for chamber orchestra that sparked lots of conversation. Each of our IMFA composers also shared works. It’s always fascinating to encounter students from other musical traditions and backgrounds.

Stefano with IMFA composers (and our beloved Stefano).

Stefano shows Max and Rachel a detail from one of his compositions.

In the afternoon, we met again to look at our completed (or nearly completed) string ensemble compositions. Between 4:30 and 6:30, we read through each of our new compositions, fixing mistakes and making small adjustments along the way. Each piece will receive at least two more rehearsals to ensure the best possible performance next week. Congratulations to all composers for finishing their third composition project in two weeks at IMFA!

Alex rehearses his work for cello quartet.

2014 IMFA composition students and faculty!