The .abeceda [New Music Academy] residency brings together a group of ten composers from around the world for an intensive program dedicated to the artistic and practical development of their compositional practice, culminating in the festival performance of their newly composed works.

 

The program is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on preparation through six online sessions (April–May 2026), where composers present their practice, discuss their ideas with ensemble performers, and work toward the finalization of their compositions and scores. This phase is followed by four days of intensive rehearsals in Bled, Slovenia (June 15–18, 2026), during which the composers work closely with the .abeceda [New Music Ensemble] and .abeceda [String Quartet] to refine and complete their new works.

 

The second part culminates in the performance of these compositions during the opening concerts of the sixth Bled Contemporary Music Week at Cukrarna Gallery in Ljubljana on June 19 and 20, 2026. All performances are professionally documented with high-quality audio and video recordings.

 

Composers benefit from the opportunity to collaborate directly with professional performers throughout both phases of the residency — receiving feedback, deepening their interpretative understanding, and gaining insight from observing the rehearsals of fellow participants.

 

Program participants are also welcome to attend, network, and participate actively throughout the entire festival week (June 19–26, 2026). During this period, they will have the opportunity to attend lectures, symposia, and concerts, engaging with a diverse international community of composers, performers, researchers, and musicologists.

 

Participants are exposed to a wide range of compositional practices, expanding their artistic perspectives and forming connections that may lead to future collaborations. They also benefit from belonging to an international network of composers and performers, receiving an official reference for their feature in an international festival, and thereby enhancing the visibility and professional recognition of their work within a broader artistic context.

 

—

 

ENSEMBLE INSTRUMENTATION:

.abeceda [new music ensemble] (soprano, flute, recorder, violin, cello, accordion, harp, piano, percussion, conductor)

Please note this is the planned instrumentation of the ensemble for the 2026 season. We reserve the right to change the instrumentation according to the performers’ availability. The final instrumentation will be communicated to the participants after the application process is concluded.

 

Selected past performances

 

.abeceda [string quartet] (violin, violin, viola, cello, *conductor upon request) 

 

Selected past performances

 

*Composers are welcome to compose for the full ensemble (A or B) or for selected instruments only.

 

—

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR COMPOSERS

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENSEMBLES

 

 

COORDINATOR: Brina Kren, producer of the Bled Contemporary Music Week