With the GENSTART project, musicians, ensembles and composers have had the opportunity to apply for funds to develop new concert formats with a focus on re-performances of already existing works. The vast majority of new music/sound art works experience only one or a few performances. This means that neither the musicians nor the composers get the opportunity to work on and optimize the works, whose potential is therefore never fully unfolded. The consequence is a loss of quality for all parties involved – including for the audience.

Through more performances and the accompanying closer collaboration between musicians and composers, we can raise both the works, the rehearsal and the interpretation to a higher level. Conceiving the works in innovative concert formats and working consciously with the program creates a better prerequisite for conveying the music in a meaningful way and thereby reaching a wider audience. In combination with strengthening collaboration between musicians and composers, strategic and targeted work with programming and concert format will support a more economically and artistically sustainable concert culture – both when it comes to existing works and new commissions.

In addition to the financial funds, the selected projects will also be offered support in the form of advice regarding project development, planning, exposure and promotion.

In 2024, the following artists have been selected to participate in GENSTART:

• Lil Lacy
• Lorenzo Colombo
• To Stemmer
• Njyd Quartet
• Kjærbye/Maschmann Duo
• CRAS Ensemble
• Kirsten Voss / Kalun Leung
• Copenhagen Clarinet Choir / Anders Lauge Meldgaard & Carolyn Goodwin
• Mathias Reumert
• Hehku Ensemble
• Kvindestemmer
• Vierhalbiert
• Rudersdal Kammersolister
• Fei Nie

The artists have been selected on the basis of an open call issued in March 2024. The jury consisted of music professional representatives from Art Music Denmark, the Danish Composers’ Association and Edition-S.

GENSTART is supported by the Augustinus Foundation, the William Demant Foundation and the Hoffmann & Husmans Foundation