L’Appel du Large – Music and Sound Creation Residency

THE PROJECT

Each year, PAX MUSICA organises three multi-week artistic residencies at La Rocabella, bringing together musicians, composers, poets, songwriters and artists from a variety of disciplines. Conceived as creative laboratories, the residencies offer participants a supportive environment in which to develop new work, experiment with collaborative approaches and engage in meaningful artistic exchange.

Among the participating musicians are PAX MUSICA laureates—professional artists who have found refuge in France—who work alongside invited artists from a wide range of backgrounds. Previous editions have given rise to hybrid projects such as music for film and illustrated concerts, created through encounters between different artistic practices.

For each of the three sessions of the 2026–2027 season, PAX MUSICA is seeking a composer-in-residence to join this multidisciplinary community.

The season will explore the role of artificial intelligence in artistic creation. The selected composer will collaborate with the poets, songwriters and musicians in residence within a supported and coordinated working environment. They will also take part in a training session led by a recognised specialist in AI-assisted composition.

The call is open to all composers, regardless of their background or previous connection with PAX MUSICA.

MISSION

• Compose works developed in collaboration with the songwriters and poets in residence, including original versions and alternative versions exploring AI-assisted composition tools.
• Collaborate with the musicians in residence on the performance of the newly created works.
• Take part in a training session in AI-assisted composition.
• Contribute to the session’s collective project and its public presentation.

ONE RESIDENCY, ONE COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS

The La Rocabella residency is not simply a place for individual work. It is a collective living experience within an exceptional estate overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Conceived as both a creative laboratory and a space for renewal, the residency brings together musicians, a composer, poets and songwriters, as well as artists from other disciplines participating in cross-disciplinary residencies, including filmmakers, sculptors, painters, illustrators and photographers.

This daily proximity naturally encourages dialogue between different artistic practices through informal conversations, screenings, spontaneous workshops and collaborative projects.

Each resident is invited to draw inspiration from this artistic diversity in a spirit of openness and exchange, while also benefiting from the time and space required to develop their own creative work.

RESIDENCY SESSIONS

• Session 1: 2 November 2026 to 18 December 2026
• Session 2: 4 January 2027 to 19 February 2027
• Session 3: 1 March 2027 to 9 April 2027

RESIDENCY CONDITIONS

• Residency allowance: €1,000 per month
• Travel expenses: Return travel expenses covered up to a maximum of €250
• Accommodation and meals: A private room and full board provided on site by the estate for the entire duration of the session
• Workspace: A dedicated working space, with a baby grand piano subject to availability
• Location: La Rocabella estate, on the Var coast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea

REQUIREMENTS

• Be available for the full duration of one session. Full commitment is compulsory, and withdrawal during the residency will not be possible.
• Be comfortable using digital tools in order to explore artificial intelligence as a compositional tool and produce the materials required for the artistic development and presentation of the project without external technical assistance.
• Have a genuine interest in learning how to use artificial intelligence as a creative tool. Previous experience with AI is not required, but applicants must demonstrate sincere curiosity and motivation to develop their skills.
• Have a strong background in composition and musical writing.
• Be fully committed to collaborating with the other artists in residence.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application must include:

• An up-to-date artistic CV
• A motivation letter of no more than one page, presenting your background and explaining your interest in the residency
• An artistic statement describing the project you would like to develop during the residency
• One letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, artistic collaborator or cultural institution
• A portfolio containing examples of composed works, including scores or score excerpts, as well as audio recordings, sound demos or video links where available

The complete application must be submitted through the online application form.

SELECTION TIMELINE

• Call for applications opens: 24 June 2026
• Application period: 26 June 2026 to 31 August 2026
• Selection interviews: September–October 2026
• Results announced: September–October 2026

For any questions, please contact:
coordination-rocabella@paxmusica.fr
www.paxmusica.fr

Working languages of the residency: French and English