2026 composers + musicians collaborative residency

I-Park’s 2026 Composers + Musicians Collaborative Residency, fifth in the series, seeks to identify an international group of composers who are enthusiastic about the prospect of establishing an immersive, collegial relationship with the musicians who will be performing their pieces at their premieres. These composers appreciate that they stand to benefit from the fresh perspectives, receptivity and can-do energy of the ensemble at this critical juncture in the creative process. With experimentation, goodwill and possibilities in the air, a virtuous transformation of the piece, though not guaranteed, is not out of the question.

From the start, the ensemble plays a key role in the composer selection process, and throughout the onsite residency, invests itself in multiple one-on-one readings and rehearsals of the new works – with ample time for exchanges of ideas on technical and aesthetic grounds. At best, by the end of the residency, the ensemble’s commitment to the composers and to the success of their projects is fully established.

Needless to say, the extraordinary exertions of the combined team result in works that have achieved an exquisite level of concert-readiness. From past experience, we have come to appreciate that the intimate nature of the residency is a key element of its appeal and relevance. The composers and musicians gather together for dinner at the end of the day. Their conversations extend deep into the night. Bonds of trust, respect and inspiration are formed from the shared experience. At a deeper level, the seeds are planted for future collaborations as well as long term social connections.

Importantly, the ensemble is committed to aggressively programming, promoting and performing these new compositions over the course of the next 2 concert seasons – setting the stage for them to enter the exciting canon of this generation’s new music – as well as opportunities for prestigious awards and other forms of recognition.