cresc... Schwärmen • 4–15 February 2O26

young_professionals a mentoring programme providing highly focused support for young artists composing in the field of contemporary music. The project was initiated by Ensemble Modern (EM), the International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA) and the Aventis Foundation in 2021. Four modules for composers and conductors between the ages of 20 and 30 have been conceived, providing a comprehensive and ongoing mentoring programme. The module young_professionals focuses on young composers from all over the world. The composers will be mentored by EM members and renowned coaches in composition and conducting.

young_professionals has four sections: there will be a Conception Session, during which first ideas and approaches are formulated and discussed, a Try Out Session to read first sketches and fragments, a Feedback Session and finally a Performance Session. During this phase, the new pieces are rehearsed, refined, and given their world premieres.

2025/26 young_professional is led by Ensemble Modern, composer Michael Jarrell and conductor Toby Thatcher. The four new compositions concern themselves with the festival theme SCHWÄRMEN and will be premiered during cresc… 2026 as part of the SONIC SYNERGIES concert on 14 February 2026.