Organizer Information:

The program is organized by .abeceda Institute Ljubljana [SI]. It is an international initiative dedicated to music practitioners, theorists, and researchers, fostering a community that values dialogue as a mode of learning.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for The New Symposium, an ongoing weekly residency program that combines online engagement with an in-person gathering.

Through weekly 90-minute online sessions (held on Saturdays), participants present their work, share research questions, and engage in peer-led critical dialogue. Each session offers an open space where diverse perspectives meet, encouraging participants to challenge and expand their approaches.

The program culminates in an in-person gathering at Bled Contemporary Music Week (June 22–26, 2026). Here, the working groups meet on location to develop their practice in a collaborative laboratory setting, strengthen online connections, and attend the festival’s concerts, symposia, and lectures.

Category:

Music / Research / Performance (Interdisciplinary).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Composers, performers, musicologists, researchers, pedagogues, producers, and other practitioners engaged in music and art.

  • Stage: Open to both emerging and established practitioners at any stage of development.

  • Grouping: Applicants may be sorted into beginner or advanced groups based on their level (coordinated by Brina Kren and Urban Megušar).

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Community: Weekly engagement with a diverse international peer group.

  • Festival Access: Participation in Bled Contemporary Music Week (concerts, symposia, lectures).

  • Development: A platform for critical reflection, method exchange, and developing research questions.

Application Fee:

Free to apply.

Program Fees:

Participation Fee: €100 per month (January – December 2026).

Application Requirements:

To apply, submit the following via email:

  • Motivation Letter: Max. 2 pages.

  • CV.

  • Work Samples: A score, recording, portfolio materials, or sample of previous work to serve as a reference.

  • Note: Please indicate your level (beginner/advanced) in the application.

How to Apply?

Send your application materials to info@abeceda.io.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: Rolling (Applications are open year-round; reviewed as received).

  • Sessions: Weekly on Saturdays (90 minutes).

  • In-Person Gathering: June 22–26, 2026 (Bled, Slovenia).

Location:

Online (Zoom) and Bled, Slovenia (Bled Contemporary Music Week).

Contact Information:

Email: info@abeceda.io (Contact: Pia Reš).