2026 Winter Composer Festival

January 3 - 10, 2026

Austin, Texas

The 2026 festival is an opportunity for music makers to create, workshop, document and premiere original works in Austin, TX. Individual music makers AND groups/bands (local and out-of-town) are welcome to apply. Applications close Sunday, June 1, 2025.

The festival is designed to:

  • Highlight the fundamental importance of making new things and doing so together

  • Foster the interchange of ideas between music creators

  • Expand concepts of what “new music” is and can be

  • Showcase this city we are proud to call home

  • Fellows (Graduate and Professional)

    • Two 90-minute workshops with line upon line on your work

    • A three-hour recording block dedicated to your work

    • Unedited audio and video footage from said three-hour recording block

    • The premiere performance of your work on the final festival concert

    • 30-minute peer-to-peer lessons with all festival participants

    • Lunchtime talks with ATX creatives

    • Housing in Austin, TX (We can’t be responsible for finding housing for partners/spouses/etc. Sorry!)

    • Honorarium (see tab below)

    Alumni

    • One three-hour recording block to use as you see fit

    • Unedited audio and video footage from said recording block

    • Housing in Austin, TX (We can’t be responsible for finding housing for partners/spouses/etc. Sorry!)

    • Honorarium (see tab below)

  • Fellows (Graduate and Professional)

    • Composing an 8-10’ trio (yourself and two percussionists) for an agreed upon instrumentation, and submitting a performance-ready score by November 16, 2025

    • Performing a ca. 10’ solo set on an evening concert 

    • Sharing for ca. 30’ on your work and/or work you’re excited about

    • Your own travel to, from and within Austin

    Alumni

    • Performing a ca. 15-20’ solo set at the festival

    • Your own travel to, from and within Austin

  • Graduate: $250 ($250 security deposit due with contract, $500 paid after all festival responsibilities are complete)

    Alumni: $500 (paid after all festival responsibilities are complete)

    Professional: $750 ($375 paid with contract, $375 paid after all festival responsibilities are complete)

    Group: Variable, depending on group size and location

  • Graduate and Professional

    • June 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST: Application deadline

    • June 13, 2025: Decision notification

    • June 13 - November 16, 2025: Virtual collaborative period

    • November 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST: Score deadline*

    • January 3 - 10, 2026: Winter Composer Festival

    *If a performance-ready score is not submitted on time, festival participation will be revoked, without exception.

    Alumni

    • June 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST: Application deadline

    • June 13, 2025: Decision notification

    • January 3 - 10, 2026: Winter Composer Festival

  • Tracks

    Q: Which application track should I take?

    A: If you have never attended WCF and are pursuing a graduate degree, even if you consider yourself a professional, please apply in the graduate category.

    If you have never attended WCF and are NOT pursuing a graduate degree, you should apply as a professional.

    If you have attended WCF as a fellow or guest ensemble member, no matter your graduate degree status, please apply as an alumnus.

    Still confused? Email us at info@lineuponlinepercussion.org

    Eligibility

    Q: We’ve worked together in the past. Can I apply to the correct track?

    A: Yes.

    Q: Do I need to have a composition degree to apply?

    A: No.

    Q: I won’t be 21 by the start of the festival. Should I apply?

    A: No.

    Instrumentation

    Q: I’d like to include myself as a performer with lul. Is that OK?

    A: In the past, including yourself was optional, but now it’s a requirement. We are not a percussion duo; we’re a trio with whoever is writing. That being said, we need the two percussion parts by the November 16 score deadline, and putting the whole piece together (with your part) has to be achievable in two, 90-minute rehearsals.

    Q: How do you guys feel about electronics?

    A: We like them. Go for it.

    Q: How do you guys feel about marimba and/or timpani?

    A: We’re not as keen. And we don’t own either.

    Q: I’ve heard you guys play other instruments. Is that true?

    A: Cullen plays guitar and bass (but not classically).

    Housing

    Q: If I’m accepted, can my partner come?

    A: Yes, but we cannot provide housing for your partner.