Composition workshop

Institutions and Music Academies can book me for a workshop / accordion presentation for composition students. Feel free to contact me in case you are interested. The concept is flexible and can happen either in a live format (one single or several sessions) or as a virtual session.

The accordion is a relatively young instrument. During the last decades it has become established and appreciated in international classical and contemporary music life. However, the it is still a rare instrument to find in music academies and other institutions, and there still is an uncertainty among composers about how to write for the accordion and how to use the instrument´s possibilities optimally.

Eva Zöllner talks about
– general information about the accordion
– notation, characteristics, problems,…
– contemporary playing techniques
– examples of accordion repertoire both solo and chamber music
– use of the instrument within new media projects
and other related topics.

Compositions students have the opportunity to work with the instrumentalist on small accordion pieces or sketches that they have prepared. The workshops can be accompanied by a recital (solo accordion or with electronics) that gives the listeners an overview of the most recent accordion repertoire.


The workshop is addressed to compositon students of all levels. Instrumental students or other people with an interest in contemporary music are welcome. A duration of 2 – 3 hours is suitable. Severeal meetings can be arranged to provide time in between for the students to work on small pieces that can later be presented in a workshop concert.

References: Eva Zöllner has successfully conducted composition workshops at the following institutions: IRINO-Institute, Tokio – Manhattan School of Music, USA – Cenart & CIEM & UNAM, Mexiko City – ESAY Merida, MX – CMMAS Morelia, MX – Washington University, Seattle – University of York – University of Cambridge – Falmouth University – SARC Belfast – Tbilisi State Conservatoire – Korea National University of Arts, Seoul – UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro – Ostrava New Music, CZ – Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá – Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Leipzig – Columbia University, NYC

akkordeon