highSCORE New Music Festival 2026 – 16th Edition | Artist Residency | July 20 – August 1, 2026 – Belluno Dolomites, Italy

highSCORE Festival 2026 — 16th Edition
Artistic Residency and Master Classes for Composers
July 20 – August 1, 2026 | Belluno Dolomites, Italy 

Hailed as one of the «ten summer festivals to get the contemporary music blood pumping» by Composition: Today, the highSCORE Festival returns for its 16th edition — two immersive weeks of creation, mentorship, and performance in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe: the Italian Dolomites, just over an hour from Venice. 

Since 2010, highSCORE has welcomed 378 composers from around the world. Now it's your turn. 

What You'll Experience

• Your music, performed live. Submit a piece for the renowned Trio Kanon (violin, cello, piano — Diego Maccagnola, Lena Yokoyama, Alessandro Copia) in any combination from solo to trio. Your work will be performed in public concerts and you'll receive professional A/V recordings to use freely in your portfolio.
• One-on-one mentorship. Be guided through the composition and rehearsal process by an exceptional, internationally recognized faculty.
• Daily Composition Colloquium. Present your music in a masterclass setting and receive in-depth feedback from faculty and fellow composers — a rare opportunity for honest, high-level artistic dialogue.
• Private composition lessons with three of the four faculty members, each offering a distinct creative perspective.
• Daily lectures and intensive workshops covering a wide range of topics in contemporary composition and beyond.
• "Musicological Tools for Artistic Research" seminar led by Giovanni Cestino — explore how musicology can enrich and deepen your creative practice.
• Lifetime membership in the highSCORE New Music Center — join one of the largest international networks of contemporary music and gain access to new commissions, collaborations, and performance opportunities long after the festival ends.

2026 Faculty

• Dmitri Tymoczko — Princeton University
• Florian Magnus Maier
• Molly Herron — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Pascal Le Boeuf — Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Additional lectures and workshops by Fabrizio Nastari, Giovanni Cestino, and Artistic Director Giovanni Albini. 

What's Included

• Lodging in spacious shared rooms at a beautiful center nestled on a hill at the foot of the Dolomites, overlooking the Valbelluna and the Piave River valley
• All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — featuring authentic Italian cuisine
• Recreational activities to enjoy nature and build connections with fellow composers
• A full day trip to Venice
• Shuttle service from/to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) on the first and last day
• 24-hour staff assistance throughout the festival

There is no application fee. Composers of all ages and nationalities are welcome. Don't miss this chance to grow as an artist, have your music brought to life by world-class performers, and join a vibrant international community — all in one of the most inspiring settings imaginable.

APPLY NOW 

For full details visit: www.highscorefestival.com