Classical: NEXT Project Pitches for Art Music Innovators

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

Classical:NEXT is inviting applications from music professionals worldwide to pitch innovative art music and classical music projects to an international audience of delegates, industry professionals, artists, and potential collaborators. The Project Pitches segment provides an opportunity for artists, ensembles, and music innovators to present ambitious and boundary-pushing projects and demonstrate their artistic vision, current work, and potential for collaboration. Selected participants will deliver a nine-minute pitch, including a video presentation followed by a short question-and-answer session. An independent international jury will curate the selected projects with attention to geographical diversity, gender balance, themes, and different artistic approaches.

About the Classical:NEXT Project Pitches

The Project Pitches segment is designed to highlight innovative projects that are contributing to the development and evolution of the global art and classical music scene. The programme brings together music professionals from different areas of the sector and provides selected applicants with an opportunity to present their projects to an international professional audience. Through the pitch format, participants can introduce their artistic ideas, explain their current offerings, and demonstrate opportunities for future partnerships and collaboration. What Does the Project Pitches Programme Offer? Selected participants will receive an opportunity to present their project directly to an international audience of music professionals. Each selected participant will deliver a nine-minute presentation that includes: - A pitch about the proposed art music or classical music project. - A video presentation. - A brief question-and-answer session. - An opportunity to explain the project’s artistic vision. - An opportunity to present current work or offerings. - An opportunity to highlight potential collaboration opportunities. The short presentation format is designed to give participants a focused opportunity to communicate their project clearly and effectively. Who Can Apply? Applications are open to music professionals from all sectors who are actively contributing to the development and evolution of the global art and classical music scene. Eligible professional backgrounds may include: - Artists. - Managers. - Presenters. - Orchestras. - Record labels. - Educators. - Press professionals. - Media professionals. - Filmmakers. - Technology innovators. - Publishers. - Other music professionals working in relevant areas of the sector. The programme is intended for professionals with innovative projects that can be presented to an international audience. What Types of Projects Are Suitable? The Project Pitches segment is focused on innovative art music and classical music projects. Applicants should propose projects that demonstrate creativity, new approaches, or developments within the global art and classical music sector. Projects may reflect different artistic approaches, themes, professional practices, technologies, or forms of collaboration. The programme particularly provides a platform for projects that are pushing boundaries and contributing to the evolution of the sector. How Does the Pitch Work? Selected applicants will have nine minutes to present their project. The pitch includes a video presentation and a short Q&A session. This format requires participants to communicate their project’s main ideas in a focused and engaging way. A pitch can be used to explain: - The central idea behind the project. - The artistic vision. - The project’s current stage or offerings. - What makes the project innovative. - Potential opportunities for collaboration. - How the project contributes to the wider art and classical music scene. Applicants should therefore ensure that their presentation communicates the most important aspects of their project within the available time. How Are Projects Selected? Projects are selected by an independent jury of international experts. The jury is responsible for curating a selection that reflects diversity and balance across the programme. The selection considers factors including: - Geography. - Gender. - Themes. - Artistic approaches. This approach is intended to ensure that the Project Pitches segment represents a broad range of perspectives and developments from the international art and classical music community.

Why Apply to the Classical: NEXT Project Pitches?

The Project Pitches segment gives music professionals an opportunity to place their innovative work in front of an international professional audience. For selected participants, the pitch can provide a platform to: - Present an innovative artistic project. - Introduce current work to international delegates. - Communicate an artistic vision. - Connect with industry professionals. - Highlight potential collaboration opportunities. - Showcase new approaches to art and classical music. - Gain visibility within an international professional setting. The programme brings together professionals from different parts of the music ecosystem, creating an environment where new ideas and collaborations can be presented.

Who Is Classical: NEXT Looking For?

Classical: NEXT is seeking music professionals who are actively contributing to the changing global art and classical music landscape.

The programme is open across professional sectors rather than being restricted to one specific type of music professional. This means that artists, organisations, creative professionals, technology innovators, media professionals, educators, publishers, and other sector participants can propose relevant projects for consideration. The key focus is on projects that offer an innovative contribution to art music or classical music and can be meaningfully presented to an international audience. Tips for Preparing a Project Pitch Applicants should prepare a clear and focused presentation because the selected p