Bani Adam Project, founded by Aïsha Tümmler and Farshad Abbasabadi,a series of artistic initiatives focused on contemporary music and vocal arts, centered around values of humanity and peace.
The project seeks both artistic excellence and social relevance, while supporting underrepresented artists and voices internationally, alongside being a framework for the two artists’ creations and collaborations, and making music and artistic opportunities more accessible, all within the same thematic framework.
This following call for scores on the theme of Humanity and Peace is the first step to the Bani Adam Project.
Open Call for Scores (Piano & Vocal) – BANI ADAM
Contemporary Composition Vocal Project
Theme: Peace, Humanity, Human Connection & Freedom
We invite composers to submit existing works for:
- Soprano and piano
- (High) Baritone/Tenor Voice (A2-A4) and Piano
- Duet for Soprano & Baritone/Tenor and Piano
The project aims to create a coherent contemporary vocal programme on the themes of peace, humanity & freedom that will be presented in concert format and documented through a professional digital release.
Selected works will be performed and digitally released, composers may also receive an honorarium.
The works should engage in some way with the themes of peace, humanity, human connection and freedom, or be related to the following poem by the great Persian poet Saadi:
بنیآدم اعضای یکدیگرند که در آفرینش ز یک گوهرند
چو عضوی به درد آورد روزگار دگر عضوها را نماند قرار
(Human Beings are members of a whole In creation of one essence and soul)
(If one member is inflicted with pain Other members uneasy will remain)
Musical style
The submitted works may use any harmonic language (tonal, post-tonal, atonal, etc.), as long as they fit within a contemporary classical concert music context.
Traditional, folk, or intercultural influences are welcome and encouraged
Text & Language
For baritone/tenor repertoire, the text may be in:
Persian, Kurdish, Azerbaijani, Turkish, German, Italian, English
For soprano repertoire, the text may be in:
German, French, Italian, Spanish, English, Dutch
The composer must fully own the rights to the text and music.
Project context
Selected works will be performed in Belgium during the 2026–2027 season, alongside few other pieces dedicated to the same theme.
The entire project will be recorded and digitally released as an album.
In addition, there is a good possibility that each composer will receive an honorarium for the project, at the time of release and the concert.
There is also a strong possibility for further performances in Belgium and other countries.
Performers
The selected works will be performed by:
Aïsha Tümmler, soprano
Farshad Abbasabadi
and a pianist (to be announced)
Submission requirements
Applicants should submit:
- The score in PDF format (mandatory)
- A short CV (mandatory)
- An audio sample of the piece (highly recommended but not mandatory)
- A brief bio or cover letter (highly recommended but not mandatory)
How to apply
Please submit all materials via:
baniadamproject@farshadabbasabadi.com
Priority
Composers from underrepresented regions or with limited access to international performance opportunities are especially encouraged to apply, with a particular welcome to Iranian (Persian) and Kurdish composers.
The project particularly welcomes works in different languages and is open to diverse literary sources (such as poetry, philosophy, or other texts), as well as to intercultural, folk, or traditional musical influences within a contemporary classical framework.
Selection
Applications are reviewed after the deadline (23 February) and the selected composers will be informed by 26 February.
Ideally between 3 and 6 works will be selected, and the project reserves the right, not to select any.
Selected composers will then be required to provide a letter of intent and rights declaration confirming participation and granting permission for performance and release within the project (Composers retain full copyrights and ownership of their work).
Deadline
Submission deadline: 23 February 2026
Bani Adam Project Coordination Contact: baniadamproject@farshadabbasabadi.com
Farshad Abbasabadi 