The Program

Lessons • Workshops • Performances • Recordings

Program Summary

Performance: Each participant is invited to submit one original composition for the resident ensemble. All works are premiered as part of the Alba Music Festival on a series we call Wet Ink. Furthermore, all participants will be considered for reprise performances of their music by the ensemble during future concert seasons and could lead to a future commissioning opportunity with the resident ensemble.
Professional Recording: Each program participant will have their music recorded as part of a dedicated professional recording session, receiving an edited, 24-bit recording of their work. These recordings may be freely used for any purpose with the exception of a commercial release.

Private lessons: Participants receive one-on-one private composition lessons with the resident faculty and Composer-In-Residence. Additional lessons may also be available, time permitting, with any of our visiting composers and guest artists.
Masterclasses & Workshops: Daily workshops and masterclasses are led by the each of the composition faculty, the Composer-In-Residence, visiting composers, guest artists, and performers. These sessions focus on variety of topics, ranging from issues of craft, professional career planning, and much more.

VIP Access: All participants will have complimentary, reserved seating at each of the evening Alba Music Festival concerts, as well as invitations to select, special events. We also include a complimentary tour of an area winery, complete with a wine tasting hosted by a local sommelier.
Future Opportunities: All alumni of the Alba Composition Program are eligible to apply for a paid commission to compose a new work for a premiere as part of a future Alba Festival. In 2017, the first Alba Alumni Commission was awarded to 2016 alumnus, Jonathan Posthuma. Awards have since been given to Benjamin Webster, Jesse Edwards, Nicky Sohn, Badie Khaleghian, Nicolas Aguia, and Sebastian Suarez-Solis.

A Typical Day in Alba

Each day in Alba is filled with music and fellowship. Mornings consist of rehearsals and/or private composition lessons with the faculty. Typically we break for lunch at noon, followed by a mid-afternoon composition masterclasses and workshops held in the Campus Center. Afterward there is time for additional lessons, rehearsals, or simply rest. Alba Music Festival afternoon concerts are usually scheduled at 5:30 pm, followed by a break for an evening meal. At 9:00 pm, the Alba Music Festival evening concert usually takes place, often followed by socializing over wine and/or a late dinner (and, of course, gelato!).

Your Music: A Concert Performance

Program participants will be invited to submit one work, either pre-existing or newly composed, in any compositional style, usually up to five (5) minutes in duration for the resident ensemble. Works may be composed for the entire group, or for a subset, and all works will performed on one of the Alba Music Festival concerts called "Wet Ink" which is dedicated to the work of living composers.

Your Music: A Professional Recording

One of the most valuable things for any composer is a high-quality recording and this is one of the cornerstones of the program: each participant will have their work professionally recorded in a dedicated session held after the premieres. These sessions will be coordinated in consultation with the program participants, the musicians, resident faculty, and the Composer-in-Residence. Each participant will receive an edited, twenty-four (24) bit stereo master of their music approximately one month after the completion of the festival. In addition, the unedited ProTools session files may be made available on request. These recordings may be used for any purpose with the exception of a commercial release (this could be arranged on separate agreement with the ensemble).

Private Composition Lessons

All participants will receive private, one-on-one, lessons with each member of the resident composition faculty and the Composer-in-Residence. Time permitting, additional lessons may also be available with any of the guest and visiting composers.

Daily Masterclasses and Workshops

Masterclasses and workshops, hosted by the resident composition faculty, the Composer-in-Residence, and guest composers, will be held each day in the music classroom of the Alba Campus Center. All classes and workshops will be topic based, ranging from elements of compositional craft to career issues. Example topics include contemporary counterpoint, orchestration, electronic and electroacoustic music, spectralism, performance practice, improvisation, promotion, publishing, copyright, recording, music industry, and academic career advice.

Composers during a masterclass in 2016

Electronic Music Production MiniCamp

We partnered with Slam Academy and faculty member J Anthony Allen to offer an intensive electronic and electroacoustic music production mini-camp. featuring creative production tools Ableton Live, Max4Live, and Max/MSP. This is an optional add-on for accepted composition fellows at a substantially discounted rate or may be elected as a standalone package for anyone. Seats, however, are limited.

Music Business and Entrepreneurship Workshop

New for 2024, Dr. Allen will also lead an optional add on consisting of a two session workshop on the business of being a composer and music creator. The workshop will be for everyone and tailored to various needs depending on the registrants. More details soon to be announced.

Housing, Meals, and Transportation

If desired, we are able to offer a discounted housing and meal package as an option. Participants are not required to enroll in this plan and we are happy to assist those who wish to make their own arrangements. We are also happy to arrange a discounted private car/van shuttle service from major city airports and railway stations. Torino (Turin) is the most often used gateway for arriving and departing by air or rail. Turin is located about an hour and fifteen minutes from Alba by car. However, both Milan and Genova are also possible points of arrival and departure, each about two and a half hours drive from Alba. Participants who take advantage of the housing/meal package will have one round-trip transfer provided (to/from Turin).

Facilities: The Alba Campus, Music School, Beppe Fenoglio Hall

Composition masterclasses and workshops are held in a recently remodeled classroom located in an important historical building. This building, known as the Alba Campus Center, also houses the administrative offices of the festival. During the day, participants will have access to this building, which contains several practice rooms with pianos, computers, and free high-speed WiFi. Private lessons are held in the Alba Campus Center, or in one of the practice rooms or rehearsal spaces of the local music school which, houses a recently remodeled multipurpose hall named after Beppe Fenoglio, a famous 20th century Italian author and native of the region.

The Alba Campus main classroom

The interior of Beppe Fenoglio Hall

Program Tuition

2024 Tuition: €3,390

This program fee includes all elements of the program detailed above except travel, meals, and accommodation.
An all-inclusive meal and accommodation plan is also available (see below).
The tuition is payable in three installments:

Refundable Deposit: €500 (due on acceptance to the program)
February 15, 2024: First Installment: €1,500
March 15, 2024: Final Installment: €1,390 (less financial aid)

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Optional Add-Ons

Housing and Meal Package : €850

This package includes nine (9) nights of accommodation in Alba, single occupancy, from May 25 through June 3 and eight (8) days of meals from May 26 to June 2. The accommodation provides a single standard room with a private bath and breakfast and meals are provided with vouchers that may be redeemed at participating restaurants in Alba. This plan also includes one round trip airport/railway transfer from Turin (TRN). Details may be found here.

Electronic Music Production Intensive Mini-Camp: €250

An intensive program covering basic through advanced topics in electronic and electroacoustic music production with several progressive class sessions and individual breakouts. The camp takes place just prior to the start of the main composition program, on May 24 and 25. High speed WiFi access and demo versions of Ableton and Max/MSP will be available on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. The fee includes meal tickets for lunch and dinner on both days. Housing for may be arranged for an additional small fee. The minicamp may be combined with the business workshop for a discounted total of fee of €350.
NOTE: Participants must bring their own laptop computer.

Music Business and Entrepreneurship Workshop for Composers and Music Creators: €150

Designed for those who are working towards making a living with their music, this workshop will cover essential topics such as copyright, trademark, performance royalties, licensing, streaming, sync opportunities, and more. By the end, students should have a clear understanding of the necessary steps to ensure they are properly compensated for their work going forward. Spanning two group sessions on two consecutive afternoons (May 24 and 25), as well as private consultation sessions with Dr. Allen. This workshop may be combined with the electronic music minicamp for a discounted total of €350.

Program Auditor Only: €395 (apply here)

We also offer a special plan for those who wish to attend the festival, and take part in the masterclasses and Alba Festival concerts, but do not need or want private lessons, a performance or recording. Auditors will have access to the Alba Campus Center, priority seating at evening concerts, have access to the wine tasting and runout concerts. Auditors do not qualify for financial aid. No application is required but space is limited.

Program Auditor with Private Lessons: €895 (apply here)

This conveys the same benefits as an auditor with the addition of a private lesson with each of the program faculty. Space will be limited.

Refund Policy: All payments made to the program are fully refundable if a request to withdraw from the program has been made on, or before January 15, 2024. After this date, all payments received towards the program are non-refundable due to the advanced preparation and commitments made on the behalf of the participant. An exception to this would be: If unforeseen circumstances (i.e. "Act of God", natural or otherwise) cause the festival and/or the composition program to be postponed or canceled. All funds paid toward the program would be refunded in full to the participants.

The program