CEME 2026

Contemporary Encounters Meitar Ensemble

International New Music Festival and mastercourses

20.12 - 26.12.2026

Mark andre - composers Mastercourse

Daniel D’adamo - composers Mastercourse

ruben Seroussi - composers Mastercourse

amit dubester - saxophone Mastercourse

Pierre-André Valade (France)

Megumi Kasakawa - viola (Ensemble Modern)

Aleksander Gabrys - double bass (ensemble Phoenix)

Jonathan Shapiro - percussion (Decoder Ensemble and RADAR ensemble)

Maya Dunietz 

Ensemble SEV

Tedarim Alumni

Meitar Ensemble

CEME (Contemporary Encounters by Meitar Ensemble) Festival and Master Course is a unique platform dedicated to the promotion of contemporary music, established with the goal of engaging young musicians with the latest developments in the field of new music.

The 2026 edition of CEME is honored to host three internationally acclaimed composers - Mark Andre, Daniel D’Adamo and Ruben Seroussi - who will lead the festival's composition course. Twenty-four young composers from around the world will participate in the program, receiving individual lessons while composing new works to be rehearsed by members of the Meitar Ensemble and guest musicians. This process provides participants with the invaluable opportunity to hear their music brought to life, refine and revise their scores and receive feedback from both the teachers and professional performers. The newly composed works will be premiered and professionally video recorded in dedicated festival concerts.

For the second consecutive year, CEME will also present a master course for saxophonists led by Amit Dubester. Over five intensive days, participants will take part in individual lessons, workshops, and chamber music sessions focusing on the performance of contemporary repertoire, advanced extended techniques for saxophone, and the rich, creative world of free improvisation. The course will culminate in a final concert showcasing the participants' work and artistic development. In addition, all saxophone participants will be welcome to attend the daily composition seminar as listeners and will enjoy full access to all festival concerts.