The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) is a 3-week musical utopia from July 13-Aug 2, 2026 for innovative composers and performers in the beautiful Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts dedicated entirely to adventurous contemporary music.
This joyful, collaborative program includes daily rehearsals and seminars, performances in the museum galleries, world music and improvisation workshops, technology and music entrepreneurship seminars, and concerts and events in the community. The Bang on a Can Summer Festival has been described as “utterly transformative” and “life-changing,” and it’s a place where musicians generate powerful connections with new life-long collaborators, friends, and colleagues.
Composers will have their new works premiered during LOUD Weekend Festival July 30-Aug 2, 2026
by outstanding performers and will have daily seminars with our composition faculty, Bang on a Can co-founders and Artistic Directors Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe.
Eligibility
- Open to international applicants
- Must be 21 years or older
Application Materials
- 3 Work Samples
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statements
- NOTE: early bird applications due by December 16, $0 application fee
Tuition
$4,450, financial assistance is available
Recording Rights
The live recording of the composition will be the property of the composer once completed; Bang on a Can requests the right to also share the recording publicly for promotion and fundraising purposes (not commercial) and keep as part of our archives.