FORESTARIA – RESULTS
Thank you so much to everyone who applied! We were truly impressed by
the richness and diversity of your proposals, and the selection process
was far from easy.
We are happy to announce the selected composers for this edition of the
project:
- Rucsandra Popescu (based in Germany)
- Oana Vardianu (based in Romania)
- Sarah Marze (based in UK)
- Crea Sullivan (based in Ireland)
Warm congratulations to the selected artists, and heartfelt thanks to
all who applied for sharing your creative visions with us!
Announcement: Extension of Deadline
Please note that the deadline for the current call has been extended to 15th August.
The new date for score delivery is 15th September.
Thank you for your attention and timely submissions.
Application Window: July 15–30, 2025
Results Announcement: August 1, 2025
Score Submission Deadline: August 30, 2025
The ForestAria project is launching an international call for women composers based in Europe (ages 21+), inviting them to take part in a unique artistic initiative that celebrates female creativity in contemporary music through a powerful metaphor: the regenerative force of nature.
ForestAria brings together new music for string quartet, conceptual photography, and heritage-rich natural and cultural sites in Romania and Northern Ireland. At the heart of this project is the creation of four original string quartet works by four selected composers, to be performed by the internationally acclaimed ConTempo Quartet in a series of multimedia concerts across Bucharest, Râșnov, Limerick, Galway, and London between September and November 2025.
Each composer will receive a composer’s fee of 10,000 lei (gross) for the commissioned work, and will be featured in a conceptual photographic portrait by visual artist Mihai Benea, whose technique blends human features with natural textures to evoke an organic integration of the artist into the forest ecosystem.
The project addresses themes of gender equality in the arts, environmental awareness, and the role of image in cultural messaging, creating a platform where contemporary music and visual art intersect in powerful new ways.
Eligibility and Submission Requirements
We are looking for four composers of various generations, based in Romania or other European countries, who:
• are professional female composers aged 21 or older;
• have an interest in contemporary music creation for string quartet;
• are open to interdisciplinary artistic collaboration.
To apply, send the following documents in English or Romanian to: office@ucimr.ro (Subject: ForestAria) between July 15 and July 30, 2025:
• A CV (in any format – narrative, Europass, etc.);
• A copy of a valid ID;
• A brief letter of intent (max. 1 page);
• Links to a portfolio of past compositions (various instrumental settings preferred).
Timeline:
• July 15–30, 2025 – Application period
• August 1, 2025 – Results announced on www.ucimr.ro and via email
• August 30, 2025 – Submission deadline for final scores
Project curated by composer and cultural manager Diana Gheorghiu
Organized by UCIMR – The Romanian Association of Music Performers, Co-funded by The Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN)
For further details or questions, please contact: office@ucimr.ro
Be part of a visionary journey where music, image, and nature converge to amplify the voice of women contemporary composers.