TAK LAB is a week-long summer intensive for creative musicians in the heart of New York City. Focused on fostering inspiring collaborative relationships between performers, composers, and creative technologists, the program is an experimental site for developing and broadening creative practice in a supportive environment. 

Application deadline: January 3rd, 2026

THE PROGRAM:

Each of 18 selected participants will spend an inspiring and productive week with TAK ensemble and TAK LAB’s all-star faculty, engaging in experimental music making and creative inquiry with a cohort of outstanding colleagues.

Participants will create a new collaborative work with a group of their colleagues in small bands curated by TAK ensemble, made up of a mix of composers, performers, and creative technologists.

The week will include a series of workshops and presentations open to all participants, led by TAK Lab’s faculty and guest lecturers. 

Additionally, each participant will belong to one of the following three “affinity groups,” or tracks: Performers, Composers, and Expanded Practice + Creative Technologies (EPCT).

2026 FACULTY:

TRACKS OF STUDY:

PERFORMANCE:
Participants will be placed in chamber groups to prepare works of contemporary music, with coaching and mentorship from TAK ensemble members throughout the week. These works will be performed on the final concert. They will receive masterclass lessons with members of TAK ensemble and participate in faculty and guest workshops and presentations.
This track is for conservatory level or early career performers with an interest in contemporary music. 

COMPOSITION:
Fellows will work closely on a new work with TAK ensemble, and TAK will record and perform their works at the festival. Composers will also receive private instruction from our guest composition faculty, Eric Wubbels. They will also participate in studio class and workshops with Eric, Seth Cluett, Qiujiang Levi Lu, and other guests throughout the week.
This track is for conservatory level and/or early stage professional composers.

EXPANDED PRACTICE AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
This includes musicians who focus on sound art, installation, music technology, or multimedia improvisation. EPCT fellows will work closely throughout the week with faculty member Seth Cluett on developing their work, and studio class with Cluett, Levi Lu, and Eric Wubbels. They will have opportunities to present their work throughout the week as best serves their practice.
This track is for experimental creative musicians with a developed solo and/or collaborative practice of generative art making.

ALL TRACKS WILL:
• Collaboratively create & perform new works with TAK LAB bands
• Participate in workshops and lectures with TAK LAB’s outstanding faculty
• Multiple performance opportunities throughout the week
• Work in cohort with participants and faculty who share your area of focus (performance/ composition/EPCT)

DETAILS AND LOGISTICS:

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at contact@takensemble.com with the subject TAK LAB.

IMPORTANT DATES:
• Application deadline: January 3, 2026
• Notification: April 15, 2026
• Preparatory Band Zoom Meetings: 4 meetings between April and August
ª Festival check-in for campus housing (if staying on campus): August 1, 3-6pm
• Final concert: August 8 midday
• Final festival activity: August 8, farewell dinner

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
This program is open to anyone over the age of 18. TAK ensemble does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or any other category covered by law.

TUITION AND FEES:
• Tuition for fellows is $1,300 for the week. This includes the program fee and daily catered lunch, as well as a welcome breakfast on the first day and a farewell dinner on the final evening. 
Fellows are responsible for all other meals throughout the week. 

• Housing is available at additional cost through City College of New York (CCNY) Towers, conveniently located a 20-minute walk from MSM and CU campuses. Public buses are also available.
Rates are TBD for 2026. Rates for 2025 were: Single room in quad suite: $82/night -or - Double room in quad suite: $68/night.

Students are also welcome to secure housing independently, if preferred.

• Transportation assistance is not provided.

* * Scholarships are available, and will be allocated based on a combination of merit and financial need. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please be sure to fill out the appropriate section on the application form.* *

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applications are live HERE:
The application deadline is January 3, 2026. Notifications will be sent out by April 15.

Applicants must select one of three tracks to submit their application.
In addition to the requirements below, all applicants must submit the following materials:
• Statement of interest (why do you want to attend TAK Lab?)
• Resume/C.V.
**

PERFORMANCE:
• 2-3 recordings of contrasting works of solo, small ensemble chamber music, or solo with large ensemble, recorded in the last 3 years (at least one work must be written after 1950; at least one work must be a live video performance recording
• Optional: one standard classical repertoire work (highly recommended if contemporary work/s do not demonstrate classical technique)

*Scores must be submitted with all selections

*Recordings can be any duration, but please be aware that each application will have a maximum allocated review time of 15 minutes. Please make a note if the review panel should begin listening at a specific time stamp.
**

COMPOSITION:
• 2-3 scores of works written in the last 5 years
• At least one selection must include a recording

*Recordings can be any duration, but please be aware that each application will have a maximum allocated review time of 15 minutes. Please make a note if the review panel should begin listening at a specific time stamp.
**

EXPANDED PRACTICE AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES (EPCT):
• Documentation of 2-3 projects from the last 5 years (audio, video, text, or whatever format best represents the work)

*Recordings can be any duration, but please be aware that each application will have a maximum allocated review time of 15 minutes. Please make a note if the review panel should begin listening at a specific time stamp.

FAQ:
Q: Can I apply to more than one track (Performance, Composition, EPCT)?
A: Yes! But you can only participate in one. If you apply to multiple tracks, we will consider both applications and choose for you.

Q: Do I have to stay in the dorms?
A: No! You’re welcome to secure your own housing.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at contact@takensemble.com with the subject TAK LAB.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE:
August 2nd: 
Welcome breakfast, Composer studio class, EPCT studio class, Chamber Music Rehearsal, Coached bands rehearsal, Presentations by Cluett and Wubbels, TAK performance

August 3rd: 
Composition lessons and studio class, EPCT workshops and studio class, performer masterclasses, bands rehearsal, composer rehearsals with TAK, chamber music rehearsals, TAK workshop, Participant listening exchange

August 4th: 
Composition lessons, Performer masterclasses, EPCT workshops, Chamber music coaching, Coached band rehearsals, Presentation by Qiujiang Levi Lu, Field trip

August 5th: 
Field trip, Band rehearsal, Composer rehearsals with TAK, Chamber music rehearsals, EPTC studio class, TAK workshop, Qiujiang Levi Lu Concert

August 6th: 
Composition studio class, EPCT studio class, Chamber music coaching, Music tech drop-in workshop, TAK drop-in hours, Coached band rehearsals, Participan open-mic

August 7th: 
Chamber music rehearsal, Composer rehearsals with TAK, EPCT install prep and workshops, coached Band rehearsals, Guest workshop, Final prep for marathon concert, TAK performance of composer participant works

August 8th: 
Dress rehearsals/soundchecks/installs for marathon performance, final participant concert, farewell dinner and social

We’re absolutely thrilled to be launching our inaugural summer festival, TAK LAB, this coming summer! Our collaborating faculty, Seth Cluett, Eric Wubbels, and Qiujiang Levi Lu are our cherished collaborators, and some of the most creative and decisively adventurous compositional voices working today. We’ve designed the TAK LAB curriculum to foster collaboration between artists across musical mediums. Through crafting bands with composing, performing, and EPCT participants, we’re excited to underline the vibrant nature of expansive musical ecosystems and our field’s ever-growing radius of practice. From chamber music and composition lessons, to participant and faculty concerts, the week will be an expansive journey in crafting creative music with a vibrant and inspiring community.

We can’t wait to welcome you to TAK LAB 2026!

♡