2026 INSTRUMENTAL AND COMPOSITION RESIDENCY

23 JUNE — 5 JULY 2026 for the pianists
23 JUNE — 8 JULY 2026 for the composers

Residency open to 4 pianists and 4 emerging composers who wish to develop their creativity in piano composition and performance. The residency celebrates collaboration between musicians and composers.

For more than 25 years, the Académie du Festival d'Aix has been committed to supporting a new generation of artists by creating inspiring residency programmes that combine tradition and innovation. The Académie du Festival d'Aix's new Instruments & Composition Residency 2026 is aimed at pianists at the beginning and middle of their careers. Artists in residence will develop their expertise around various works, mainly from the contemporary repertoire. In addition, each pianist will work closely with a resident composer, who will compose a new work for each of them. The pieces commissioned as part of the residency concerts.

The residency will be supervised by pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, who will accompany the musicians in developing their technique and mastery of the contemporary piano repertoire. The residence will welcome a variety of professionals, including composers Clara Iannotta and Marco Stroppa, who will be on hand to mentor the resident composers, supporting them in their creativity and helping them to develop their talent.

The residency will consist of work sessions and public masterclasses, musical encounters and outreach activities. It will offer various concert opportunities where new works will be composed and performed by the residency's academicians. The creators will be immersed in the heart of the Festival d'Aix, where each will be invited to attend various performances from the 2026 Festival programme.

This residency is designed as a space for exchange, reflection and practice between instrumentalists and composers on instrumental performance, repertoires, creation and music as a universal language. It invites its participants to think about their profession in a changing world, for which curiosity and open-mindedness are key.

The 2026 Instrumental & Composition Residency is supported by Société Générale Foundation main corporate patron, Engie Foundation, Adami, Sacem and Caisse des Dépôts mécénat.

SUPERVISION

APPLY ONLINE

APPLICATION PROCESS

Deadline for application: Sunday 4 January 2026, 11:59PM (CET)

The candidate's file must contain:

• CV
• For the pianists: At least 3 video recordings
• For the composers: At least 3 compositions (at least 2 recordings and 3 scores)

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

APPLICATION FEE: 60€

You have a question about the application fee? Feel free to contact us: academie@festival-aix.com
The application fee is non-refundable.
 No incomplete application will be considered.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PARTICIPATION

• Participation in the residency is governed by a residency agreement signed between the artist and the Festival.
• A contract is signed between the artist and the Festival for participation in the rehearsals and final concert of the residency, which will take place on July 5, 2026.

EXPENSES COVERED BY THE FESTIVAL

Expenses related to master classes, accommodation and travel** are covered by the Festival d’Aix.
 Lunches on training days will be arranged and paid for by the Festival.

** Reimbursement of travel expenses upon presentation of the confirmation of purchase of a round-trip, second class airplane or train ticket between the artist’s city of residence and Aix-en-Provence or Marseille. Reimbursement limits per geographic area are: €100 (PACA Region), €250 (the rest of France), €500 (Europe/Mediterranean region), €1000 (outside of Europe and the Mediterranean region).