Thessaloniki, Greece — Oct 23–25, 2026
Three days for aspiring composers worldwide to sharpen their orchestration for film, TV and games — join us in Greece or take part remotely, then hear the work brought to life by a nine-piece string ensemble.
DATES
Oct 23 – 25, 2026
VENUE
Foundry Recording Studio
FORMAT
Talks + live scoring session
● Thessaloniki, Greece ● Oct 23–25, 2026 ● Foundry Recording Studio ● BULLSTRINGS 9-string ensemble ● Norman Ludwin ● Nathan Henninger ● Worldwide Event
Write it. Hear it played.
Most orchestration is learned alone, in front of a mock-up. This workshop puts you in the room instead: writing for real strings, hearing your choices played back by professional musicians, and getting direct notes from orchestrators who’ve done this for a living.
● About the workshop
01 — Write
Talks
A day of lectures and craft talks on composing & orchestrating for picture — scoring decisions, sketching for strings, and what actually happens on a Professional session.
02 — Record
Live ensemble session
Two days in the studio as a 9-piece string ensemble records live alongside Dr.Norman Ludwin, who will conduct the orchestra.
03 — Connect
Industry access
Direct time with working Hollywood orchestrators and a group of fellow composers — the kind of connections that don’t happen over a mock-up.
● Programme
Three days, in order
One day of talks and two studio days from Greece, with a remote participation option for composers joining from anywhere in the world.
DAY 01
Fri, Oct 23
Lectures & Talks
Orchestration fundamentals and career talks from Hollywood orchestrator Norman Ludwin and fellow composers — the thinking and organisation behind writing for picture & concert.
DAY 02
Sat, Oct 24
Studio Session I
Few spots left
Bullstrings 9-string ensemble takes the floor at Foundry Recording Studio. Student cues go up on the stands and get recorded live. Each participant has 20-minutes of recording time.
DAY 03
Sun, Oct 25
Studio Session II
Fully booked
Recording continues and wraps. Every participant leaves with a live recording of their own writing, played by a professional ensemble.
● Instructors
Learn from the INDUSTRY'S EXPERTS
Norman Ludwin
Hollywood Orchestrator / BASSIST
NATHAN HENNINGER
COMPOSER / CONDUCTOR
VALERIYA KRACHUNOVA-POPOVA
SOUND DESIGNER / COMPOSER / PIANIST
PANOS TOPALIDIS
Composer / Orchestrator / Music Producer
● Venue
Foundry Recording Studio
Grigoriou Lampraki 215
Thessaloniki, Greece
A working recording studio, not a classroom — the same room your cues get tracked in is the one you’ll be sitting in for the talks.
● Applications
Apply for a seat
Seats for recording are limited to 10 people for each recording day — Tell us about you and your writing.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
We review applications and reply by email with next steps and pricing.
LECTURES & TALKS SEATS
All applications are accepted for FSW2K26 Lectures & Talks.
Workshop Pricing
Lectures & Talks
€80 · full Lectures & Talks pack
String Ensemble Recording
€264 · a 20-minute recording slot with Bullstrings 9-piece string ensemble. Seats are limited.