July 5 - 12  |  Starting at $550

The Etchings Festival

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Where Compositions Take Form

OUR MISSION

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It began with a question…

OUR HISTORY

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OUR TEAM

John Aylward | Founder

Grace Hughes | Manager

JoAnna Pope | Artist Services

OUR CAMPUS

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Two available tracks:

Applicants may apply to either the Performance Program or the Workshop Program. Both tracks offer an immersive, high‑level experience with our guest composers and the Ecce Ensemble.

Workshop Program:

  • Lessons with all guest composers

  • Masterclasses with guest composers

  • Workshop with Kate Soper on composing for stage.

  • Workshop with Julia Werntz on composing with microtones.

  • Workshops on instrumental techniques by the Ecce ensemble members.

  • Masterclass / Workshops with Melinda Wagner, David Sanford and Michael Djupstrom.

  • A recorded reading session of a work-in-progress by the Ecce Ensemble.

Performance Program:

All facets of the Workshop Track and:

  • Rehearsals of your work coached by Stratis Minakakis and Michael Djupstrom.

  • A recorded performance of a work in an Etchings Festival concert.

  • Note for applications to the performance program:
    Consider applying with at least one work for the festival’s instrumentation:
    Flute (alto/picc), clarinet (bass clarinet), saxophone, violin, cello, percussion and piano.

    Once selected, festival directors will collaborate with fellows on the instrumentation of their work to be performed. Composers may choose to compose a new work, revise an existing work, or have an older work performed.

    Final deadline for all works to be programmed this summer is June 21st, 2027.

What to Expect
❋ Intentional Structure

We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect - so the experience feels both focused and fluid.

❋ Collaborative Energy

Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.

❋ Expert Facilitation

Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.

❋ A Supportive Space

Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Applications will be accepted until March 15th, 11:59EST, 2027.

Notifications of acceptance will be made during the week of March 29th, 2027.

Select on your application form whether you are applying to the festival’s Performance or Workshop program (or if either one would suit you).

Answer all required questions on the application.

Provide links to recordings of your compositions (please no links to downloads).

Application fee is $25.

Thanks to donors, we are able to offer a discounted tuition to all fellows.
The actual value of tuition is $2200. Fellows attending this year will pay:

  • Performance Artists Tuition: $1150

  • Workshop Artists Tuition: $550

Artists are responsible for their own travel and accommodations (Etchings provides optional group-rate hotel packages at local Northampton hotels if participants are interested).

Events will take place at Bombyx and other venues in Northampton and Florence, MA.

Become a Fellow

Apply

FAQs

  • This season, the number of available spots will be ten to twelve, depending on various factors.

  • A notebook or some other way of taking notes, your instrument (if applicable) and anything you need for a week away from home.

  • Our team has you covered for all planned off-campus events, but if you have the desire to venture elsewhere, you will have to coordinate your own transportation.

  • Yes; we have partnerships with local Northampton hotels that offer group rates during your stay.

Step into a place where your music is heard, challenged, and transformed - apply to Etchings and join the next generation shaping contemporary sound.

MADE AT ETCHINGS

Past Seasons

A Retrospective Journey

  • 2026

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

    Make It

  • 2025

    Guest Composers:
    Yu-Hui Chang | Kate Soper | David Sanford | Melinda Wagner | Max Dulaney | Dan Lippel | Philipp Staudlin

    Make It

  • 2024

    Guest Composers:
    David Sanford | Melinda Wagner | Popebama

    Make It

  • 2023

    Guest Composer:
    David Sanford

    Learn More

  • 2022

    Guest Composers:
    David Sanford | Trevor Westin

    Click Here

  • 2021

    Guest Composers:
    Trevor Weston | David Rakowski |
    Emily Koh | Martin Brody

    Click Here

  • 2019

    Guest Composers:
    Kaija Saariaho | Francesco Filidei

    Click Here

  • 2018

    Composer Faculty:
    Philippe Hurel  |  Erin Gee  |  John Aylward  |  Martin Brody

    Dance Faculty:
    Colin Gee

    Click Here

  • 2017

    Guests:
    Raphaël Cendo | Philippe Leroux

    Fellows:
    Jin Zhuosheng | Claudio Scroccaro | Kenneth Lim | Joshua Clausen | Shih-Wei Lo | Ioannis Mitsialis  | Sunyeong Pak | Todd Kitch | Ralph Lewis |  Heather Hindman | Leo Harman-Hill  | Richard Dreyhoff

    Movement / Dance Fellows:
    Jacqueline Savegnau | Thomas Vacanti

    Click Here

  • 2016

    Guest Composers:
    Toshio Hosokawa | Noriko Muira | Yehudi Wyner

    Fellows:
    Kaito Nakahori | Yeung-ping Chen | Max Wanderman | Amanda Bono | Tai-Kuang Chao | Matthew Simon | Yohanan Chendler | Andrew Ly | Misakii Goto | Miels Verosky | Karan Lee | Yu-Hsin Chang | Shunyin Wang | Brandon Chang | Adriel Miles | Christine Chen

    Click Here

  • 2015

    Guest Composers:
    Franck Bedrossian | Nicholas Isherwood

    Click Here

  • 2014

    Guest Composers:
    Mark Andre | Garth Knox

    Click Here

  • 2013

    Guest Composers:
    Georg Friedrich Haas | Fred Lerdahl

    Click Here

  • 2012

    Guest Composers:
    Philippe Hurel | George Tsontakis

    Click Here

  • 2011

    Guest Composers:
    Lee Hyla | Stefano Gervasoni

    Click Here

  • 2010

    Guest Composers:
    Louis Karchin | Fabien Levy

    Click Here

  • 2009

    Guest Composers:
    David Rakowski |
    Beth Weimann

    Click Here

Constellation Space

Events

  • "You learn a lot, not only from your piece and your performance, but from the performance of the other people."

    Marc Cortes, Fellow

  • "To finally give my material to living beings, it's like, I'm just so happy right now."

    Niko Yamamoto, Fellow

  • "This is what I wanted. Thank you so much; I'm so grateful."

    Alec Whiting, Fellow

  • It's great to hear so much vairety of music and to see these performers be so excited and committed."

    Matthew Sandahl, Fellow

  • "If there's stuff to share that can shape your path and stuff to give that can help shape other people's paths, that's what we're doing here."

    John Aylward, Founder

Ways to Support

Merchandise
Etchings Festival Tee- White
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Etchings Festival Tee- White
$30.00
Etchings Festival Tee- Black
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Etchings Festival Tee- Black
$30.00
Etchings Festival Hoodie
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Etchings Festival Hoodie
$55.00

“What’s the difference between a silence that’s held and a silence that’s allowed to settle?”

Day One

Arrive & Meet

As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.

Fellows arrive 
(rolling arrivals)

10:00 AM - 1:45 PM

Fellows Orientation

4:00 PM

Welcome Dinner

6:00 PM

Bombyx Center, Florence, MA

Rainbow Room

High Brow Kitchen, Northampton, MA

Day Two

Rehearsals Begin

Piano Delivery and Tuning

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Ensemble Rehearsals

10:00 AM - 6:15 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 - 2:15 PM

Bombyx Center, Florence, MA

Sanctuary, Peacock and Rainbow Room

Wagner Masterclass

2:30 - 3:15 PM

Day Three

Rehearsals & Workshops

We explore the possibilities beyond this moment, making space for growth, action, and forward momentum. As we end our time together, we honor the experience, the growth, and the connections made along the way.

Check-In

9:00 – 9:30am

Group Activity

11:00am

Lunch Break

12:30pm

Creative Workshop

2:00pm

Dinner

6:30pm

How It Works

  • Browse our upcoming events to find the one that feels right for you. We host events year-round in all different locations and climates.

  • Sign up and pay all required fees to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the retreat start to receive a 50% refund.

  • After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.

  • We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.

  • Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure.