Program Details

“Thank you for this gift of creative warmth, exploration and spontaneous (but very intentional!) community. Our week here as a trio was life/art affirming, full of reminders that above all, what we do is about learning and sharing. We are so grateful for the work of all the artists and staff- who contribute to this rare, magical space, and feel excited to take new seeds/ideas with us out into the world.”
— Trio Ondata

Avaloch Farm Music Institute provides a unique opportunity for artists and ensembles at any stage of development to develop a project during a flexible and collaborative residency.

Accepted applicants will be offered a 100% tuition free stay that includes living accommodations, studio space, and meals.

  • Candidates for residency may be at any stage of development, including emerging, mid-career or established artists or ensembles.

    Composers, conductors, soloists, chamber ensembles, dance ensembles, theater artists, performance artists, experimental projects, and more are welcome to apply.

  • Residency weeks begin on Tuesday and end on Sunday. Arrival begins at 11am on Tuesdays, and departure ends at 4pm on Sundays. Requests for early arrival and/or late check out must be made ahead of time and sent to avalochfarm@gmail.com.

    Applicants may request one or two consecutive weeks in their application, with the understanding that they will be responsible for their own meals on the Sunday in between the weeks.

    Please indicate in your application if you are unable to stay for the entire duration of the residency week.

  • Travel expenses are not included in the Residency Award.

    Applicants with travel and transportation questions should check the Travel page at:

    https://www.avalochfarmmusic.org/getting-to-avaloch

    They can also contact avalochfarm@gmail.com.

  • There is a non-refundable application fee of $60 for any individual or ensemble applying. This fee will be paid upon submission of the online application form on the application portal.

    If the application fee presents a financial hardship, please write to avalochfarm@gmail.com before submitting your application form to inquire about an application fee waiver. Please note that waivers may only be requested up until an early deadline of JANUARY 20.

    Once accepted, ensembles who wish to attend must confirm their residencies with a deposit of $100 per person (via credit card or check). You will not be charged nor will your check be deposited unless you cancel your residency. If you wish to donate your deposit after your residency is completed, you may indicate that on our feedback form or by sending an email to avalochfarm@gmail.com.

  • If you are selected to attend a residency at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, you will be asked to agree to a refundable deposit of $100/person for your ensemble. This deposit amount will only be charged if you/your ensemble cancels, after committing to a residency.

    Avaloch has pledged to support its resident artists by providing an idyllic environment free of quotidian obligations, in order to allow each musician to focus solely on their creative output. The actual cost of providing fully funded residencies for ensembles and individuals amounts to over $2000 per person, per week. Please be mindful that last minute changes or cancellations to your residency after committing not only does not change the operational costs incurred by Avaloch, it also prevents other deserving musicians from being able to partake in a transformational creative experience.

    If you need to make a change to your personnel or project, please provide a written request for consideration to the Avaloch Directors via email at avalochfarm@gmail.com. Please note that substantial changes and last minute cancellations may affect an ensemble’s eligibility for a future residency.

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines

  • Applications Open: December 1, 2025 at 8AM EST

  • Applications Close: Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:59PM EST*

  • Dates available for residencies:

  • 2026

    WEEK 1: May 26 -31 2026

    WEEK 2: August 25 -30 2026

    WEEK 3: September 1 -6 2026

    WEEK 4: September 8 - 13 2026

    WEEK 5: September 15 - 20 2026

    WEEK 6: September 22 - 27 2026

  • 2027

    WEEK 8: January 19 -24 2027

    WEEK 9: January 26 -31 2027

    WEEK 10: February 9 -14 2027

Proposals

Applications include a proposal for a compelling project that encourages artistic depth and excellence in the applicant’s medium. Applicants are asked to provide:

  • Two (2) to three (3) links to video performances of pieces in contrasting styles

  • Description and scope of work proposed at Avaloch

  • One page resume or biography for yourself (if applying as an individual) or for your ensemble.

  • Composers must submit a PDF of a score as well as a video of a performance of a chamber work by the composer.

Applications are evaluated by a panel of musicians who will take BOTH video performances and project proposal into consideration. Should any accepted ensemble wish to change their project proposal or a member(s) of their ensemble after they have been accepted, they must email a formal request to avalochfarm@gmail.comindicating their proposed change and the reasoning behind it. It is up to the discretion of Avaloch's Artistic Directors whether or not the change may be accommodated.


Returning Ensembles

Ensembles who have already attended Avaloch must also submit current examples of work. If one or more members of a newly applying ensemble have attended before, work examples are still necessary.

Additional Opportunity for Early Professional Ensembles

Avaloch Farm Music Institute is delighted to serve as the new host for the Composers Conference, an organization that nurtures the creation, performance, and appreciation of music, serving as a catalyst for conscientious creativity through shared wisdom, expertise, and diverse artistry. Each summer over the course of several weeks, the Composers Conference offers an array of unique, collaborative opportunities for exceptional emerging composers, professional musicians, amateur chamber players, and conservatory-level musicians. For more information about the Composers Conference and its rich 80 year old history, please visit www.composersconference.org.

As part of this new artistic partnership, early and pre-professional chamber music duos who are submitting applications for an Avaloch residency may also request to be simultaneously considered for a fully funded Fellowship (tuition, board and lodging), as part of the Conference's Contemporary Performance Institute (CPI). The CPI ensemble will be mentored by members of our internationally acclaimed Conference Ensemble and Directors, perform recently composed music by a diverse, representative array of composers (including our Guest Composers), premiere new works in collaboration with our 2024 Composition Fromm Fellows, and work alongside Chamber Music Workshop participants and young local music students as part of our New Music/New Communities Initiative and CMW Susan Horvath Commission Project. Should the ensemble be chosen for the fellowship, all members must be available to attend the Composers Conference between July 12 - July 26, 2026.

If your ensemble would like to be considered, please include a short statement in the Avaloch application portal about the importance of new music in your ensemble's creative life. If you have additional questions about this opportunity with the Composers Conference, please direct all inquiries directly to info@composersconference.org .

*If you are requesting an application waiver due to financial hardship, you must make the request and submit your completed application before an early deadline of January 20, 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions