Open Call for Residents (Composers): Nicosia Ludic Lab 2026 — Shape New Works for Toyful Music Festival 2026
Apply for a month-long international residency and develop new ensemble works through play‑based experimentation, directly shaping the artistic programme of the Toyful Music Festival 2026.
6/8/20262 min read
Unleash Your Inner Child — Rethink How Music Is Made
Atheras Peoples & Cultures invites composers and performer-researchers to apply for the Nicosia Ludic Lab, a 31-day international residency dedicated to exploring “play” as a compositional and performative methodology in contemporary music.
Building on the artistic vision of the Toyful Music Festival, the residency creates a focused environment where experimentation, precision, and imagination coexist, redefining how music is conceived, structured, and performed.
About the Residency
Dates: 23 October – 22 November 2026
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
Venues: tbc
The Nicosia Ludic Lab is a structured artistic laboratory bringing together international artists and a professional ensemble to develop new work from concept to performance.
The residency operates as a collaborative compositional environment, where:
ideas are tested in real time
materials are refined through rehearsal
artistic decisions emerge through dialogue between composer, performer, and sound
Who Can Apply
We are selecting 4 individual composers.
Applications are open strictly to individual artists (proposals from duets or collectives will not be considered).
Applicants must be based in a Creative Europe country.
Applicants must be available for the full residency period.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in experimental, ensemble-based practices.
Artistic & Compositional Frameworks
The Concept of Play
The residency places “play” at the core of musical creation as a concrete method. Applicants are invited to engage with:
Material Play: Using toys, toy instruments, or everyday objects as musical material within a professional ensemble context.
Systemic Play: Translating rules, constraints, and behaviors from games into compositional structures.
Compositional Guidelines
Work Duration: The final completed pieces must have a duration of 7 to 10 minutes.
Full Ensemble Focus: All developed works must be written for the entire ensemble (4–5 performers). Works focusing on solo formats or small chamber sub-groups (duos/trios) are not permitted.
No Electronics: This residency focuses purely on acoustic interplay, toys, objects, and conventional instrumentation. No electronic elements or fixed media are supported.
Ensemble & Instrumentation
Composers will develop work for the full Toyful Music Festival Ensemble, drawing from the following instrumentation:
Clarinet / Bass Clarinet
Flute / Trombone
Low Brass (Tuba / Trombone / Sousaphone)
Piano / Synthesizer
Percussion
(vibraphone, toms, bongos, cymbals, small percussion, waterphone, etc.)Toy & Object-Based Sound Sources (Toy piano, music boxes, boomwhackers, balloons, etc.)
What the Residency Offers
Selected residents will receive:
Full financial support (travel, accommodation, daily allowance)
Shared accommodation in central Nicosia
Continuous access to professional ensemble
Mentorship sessions and individual meetings with ensemble members
Coaching sessions with composer and conductor Andys Skordis
Artistic and professional guidance from Atheras team
Rehearsal space and full production support for the Phase 3
Video and audio recording of the final live concert for documentation and international visibility
Residency Structure
Phase 1 — Trial (Days 1–5): Initial experimentation with the full ensemble, testing ludic sketches, and exploring material possibilities.
Phase 2 — Refinement (Days 6–23): Intensive composition adjustments, targeted mentorship sessions, and individual meetings with ensemble members to refine playability.
Phase 3 — Production (Days 24–31): Final rehearsals and execution of the performance-ready work.
Final Output
The residency culminates in:
A public concert featuring world premieres of newly developed works
A public Open Studio presentation, sharing aspects of the artistic process
What to Submit
Project proposal (max 300 words or 2–3 min video)
Two work samples per applicant (scores + audio/video)
Short CV(s) (max 4 pages per applicant)
High-resolution photo(s)
Selection Criteria
Artistic Innovation (40%)
Feasibility (30%)
Impact (30%)
Timeline
Application deadline: 15 July 2026
Results announcement: 1 August 2026
Residency: 23 October – 22 November 2026
Final performance: 21 November 2026
How to Apply
Send your materials to info@atheras.eu with the subject line: Nicosia Ludic Lab/Toyful – Application – [Your Name]
About Atheras Peoples & Cultures
Atheras is a Cyprus-based non-profit dedicated to cultural mobility, artistic research, and experimental practice, developing platforms where composition is rethought through new materials, structures, and collaborative processes.
