2027 Austin Winter Music Festival
January 3 - 8, 2027
Austin, Texas
The 2027 festival is an opportunity for music makers to create, workshop, document and premiere original work in Austin, TX. Composers, festival alumni and solo musicians/groups/bands (local and out-of-town) are all welcome to apply. Applications close Sunday, June 21, 2026.
The festival is designed to:
Highlight the fundamental importance of making new work 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
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Composers
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 and Solo 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)
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Composers
Composing a ca. 15’ trio (for yourself and two percussionists - instrumentation agreed upon in advance )
Submitting a performance-ready score by November 15, 2026
Performing a ca. 15’ 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 and Solo Musicians/Groups/Bands
Performing a ca. 15-20’ set at the festival
Your own travel to, from and within Austin
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Composers: $250 ($250 security deposit due with contract, $500 paid after all festival responsibilities are complete)
Alumni: $500 (paid after all festival responsibilities are complete)
Solo Musicians/Groups/Bands: Variable, depending on group size and location
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Composers
June 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST: Application deadline
June 30, 2026: Decision notification
June 30 - November 15, 2026: Virtual collaborative period
November 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST: Score deadline*
January 3 - 8, 2027: Austin Winter Music Festival
*If a performance-ready score is not submitted on time, festival participation will be revoked, without exception.
Alumni and Solo Musicians/Groups/Bands
June 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST: Application deadline
June 30, 2026: Decision notification
January 3 - 8, 2027: Austin Winter Music Festival
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Tracks
Q: Which application track should I take?
A: If you would like to write for line upon line and have never attended WCF, please apply as a composer.
If you have attended WCF in any capacity, please apply as an alumnus.
If you do NOT want to write for line upon line, and are NOT an alumnus, please apply as a solo musician/group/band.
Still confused? Email us at lineuponlinepercussion@gmail.com
Eligibility
Q: Do I need to be pursuing a composition degree to apply?
A: No.
Q: I won’t be 21 by the start of the festival. Can I apply?
A: No.
Q: We’re a cover band. Should we apply?
A: No, this festival focuses on original work.
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 15 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.