2026 Austin Winter Music Festival

January 3 - 10, 2026

Austin, Texas

The 2026 festival is an opportunity for music makers to create, workshop, document and premiere original work in Austin, TX. Graduate-level composers, festival alumni and musicians/groups/bands (both local and out-of-town) are all 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

  • Graduate Fellows

    • 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!)

    • Travel stipend (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!)

    • Travel stipend (see tab below)

    Musicians/Groups/Bands

    • 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!)

    • Travel stipend (see tab below)

  • Graduate Fellows

    • Composing a ca. 10’ trio (for yourself and two percussionists - instrumentation agreed upon in advance )

    • 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 (travel stipend intended to offset these costs in part)

    Alumni

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

    • Your own travel to, from and within Austin (travel stipend intended to offset these costs in part)

    Musicians/Groups/Bands

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

    • Your own travel to, from and within Austin (as applicable, travel stipend intended to offset these costs in part)

  • 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)

    Musicians/Groups/Bands: Variable, depending on group size and location

  • Graduate Fellows

    • 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: Austin Winter Music Festival

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

    Alumni and Musicians/Groups/Bands

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

    • June 13, 2025: Decision notification

    • January 3 - 10, 2026: Austin Winter Music Festival

  • Tracks

    Q: Which application track should I take?

    A: If you are a composer, have never attended WCF and are pursuing a graduate degree, please apply in the graduate category.

    If you have attended WCF in any capacity, please apply as an alumnus.

    If you aren’t in the practice of making scores for others, and/or regularly perform with others in a band or group, please apply in the musician/group/band track.

    Still confused? Email us at lineuponlinepercussion@gmail.com

    Eligibility

    Q: Do I need to be pursuing a composition degree to apply?

    A: Definitely not. That’s why we created the musician/group/band track.

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

    A: No.

    Q: We’re a cover band. Should we apply?

    A: No, this festival is about original content creation.

    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 as our third. 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!

    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.