2026 Microtonal Recording Retreat - June 6-14 in Virginia

The 2026 Microtonal Recording Retreat will take place at the beautiful MidMountain Riverside Arts Retreat, a large farmhouse on 5 acres in rural Virginia. For an idea of what to expect from this unique event, see the 2025 retreat.

SCHEDULE:
CALL FOR SCORES ETC. The deadline for submission is May 15th. The material can range from improvised to composed, from classical to modern, and from instrumental to singer-songwriter. For composed pieces, we suggest sheet music plus midi demos. For improvised material, we suggest lead sheets, example recordings, etc. Needn't be new material. Needn't be your own material. Can be simple sketches which other attendees help flesh out, a pre-retreat group collab which comes to life when we get together in person. The choice of which material to use is entirely up to the attendees. Select scores will be published after the event in a free songbook.

While there may be a few solo performances, the focus is on playing music together, because it's the one thing we can't do online. Attendees should have significant previous experience both recording and performing microtonal music. To encourage uninhibited music-making, all attendees will have veto rights over any video they appear in.

Before May 1st: $400-600 to attend for all 9 days, covers food and lodging. Drop-in rate: $60/night if staying over, $25/day if not.

On or after May 1st: add $100 to all full-stay prices. Drop-in rate: $70/night, $25/day.

Midmountain Riverside Arts Retreat is just outside of Natural Bridge Station, Virginia. Features 2 outbuildings and 400 feet of private frontage on the James River. For details on the lodgings, see their airBnB site. Sleeping options range from bedrooms that sleep 2-3 ($600/person) to larger spaces that sleep 4-6 ($500/person) to the outbuildings, unfurnished indoor spaces with electricity but without AC or plumbing ($400/person).

The nearest airport is 40 miles away in Roanoke VA. Transportation to/from the airport will be provided. People not traveling by car are welcome to arrive Friday night the 5th. Meals: There will be continental breakfasts and DIY lunches. Full dinners will be cooked on-site by the Midmountain staff. Attendees will have input ahead of time on dietary restrictions, favorite foods, etc.

To inquire or register, contact Kite at untwelve dot org, or use the contact form.