Are you ready to explore the musical landscape across the Channel?
Are you an adventurous composer or music creator? Do you think, feel, and move ahead of the curve — and want to take the next step in your international ambitions?
Then consider applying for the Crossing Forward Exchange Residency, a new partnership between Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) and Het Muziek (formerly Asko|Schönberg), Amsterdam.
During the residency, you’ll collaborate with internationally acclaimed musicians on new work, with access to mentoring, technical support, and audience programmes.
- Applicants based in the Netherlands will take up residency in Birmingham working with a 12-player ensemble
- Applicants based in England will take up residency in Amsterdam working with an 8-player ensemble
What We Offer
The residency provides an intensive, collaborative environment for artistic development, including:
- A residency of six to eight weeks (continuous or split, to be agreed) in Birmingham for applicants based in the Netherlands, or Amsterdam for applicants based in England
- Working sessions with a small ensemble using acoustic and/or electronic instruments, with a conductor and/or soloist where relevant
- Immersion in host activities, including rehearsals, concerts, and learning events
- Opportunities to present your research or work-in-progress at ensemble-hosted events
- Financial support: we will provide a commission of up to 3,000 EUR (2,650 GBP); a bursary of up to 3,000 EUR (2,650 GBP); travel support of up to 1,500 EUR (1,300 GBP); and assistance with accommodation
Who Can Apply
This exchange residency is open to composers or music creators of any nationality based in England or the Netherlands who:
- Are not in formal education during the residency period
- Are in the early stages of building an international profile (e.g. three or fewer international commissions)
- Have a portfolio of works (e.g. scores and/or recordings) and evidence of audience engagement (e.g. reviews)
- Are open-minded and eager to learn
- Can spend six to eight weeks in residency in England or the Netherlands between April and December 2026
- Speak English as a first or second language
HOW TO APPLY
Please send written or video applications by email to both:
info@hetmuziek.nl and application@bcmg.org.uk
with the subject line: “Crossing Forward 2026 – [Your Name]”
Your application should include:
- A residency plan (max. 300 words) outlining your artistic ideas, desired instrumentation, mentoring/soloist/ technical needs, and audience engagement plans
- A portfolio of 2–3 contrasting works (scores and/or recordings) via links (Vimeo, YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) or attachments (max. 12 MB)
- A short bio/EPK (max. 300 words)
- Optional letters of endorsement
Applications must be in English and submitted by 31 December 2025, 12:00 CET (11:00 GMT).
Selection and Timeline
Online interviews with shortlisted candidates will take place in late January 2026.
Results are expected to be announced in early February 2026.
Applications will be assessed on artistic strength, their feasibility, their potential to enhance the ensemble’s learning and audience engagement activities, and their suitability for the respective ensemble.
The selection panel will include representatives from Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Het Muziek, along with composers Julian Anderson and Anne-Maartje Lemereis.
Crossing Forward is funded by Arts Council England and Fonds Podiumkunsten / Performing Arts Fund NL, and supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom.