We are the Initiative Freie Musikszene Zürich – an association of freelance musicians, ensembles and artists of the Zurich contemporary music and sound art scene. Our expertise and art involves the broad spectrum of interpretation, composition, improvisation, performance art and music theater.
We perform in a wide variety of spaces and formats from classical concert halls, galleries and theaters to public and digital spaces. The IFMZ is committed to cultural policy, especially for new rehearsal and performance venues for the free music and sound art scene in Zurich. We are always happy to welcome new members.
Are you interested in supporting the association or getting involved? Would you like to rent our rooms at lower prices? Then become a member of the IFMZ!
PRICES MEMBERSHIPS
Premium:
Support the association and benefit from discounted room rentals
- for single person – 150 CHF per year
- Legal entity (ensemble, associations etc.)
– 300 CHF per year
– 300 CHF per year
Standard:
Support the association, without discounted room rent - 50 CHF per year
Supporter:
Support the association more, without discounted room rent - 100 CHF per year
Register here: ︎︎︎Form
BOARD IFMZ
MANAGEMENT IFMZ
︎︎︎Nicola Genovese
︎︎︎Nicola Genovese
TEAM RESIDENCY PROGRAM
︎︎︎Magda Drozd
︎︎︎Nicola Genovese
︎︎︎Lisa Nolte
CONTACT
Verein Initiative Freie Musikszene Zürich (IFMZ)
Zeughausstrasse 56
CH-8004 Zürich
contact@ifmz.ch
︎︎︎Instagram
︎︎︎Facebook
SPONSORS
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
09.03.2025
Workshop and Performance
mit Devid Ciampalini
![]()
Sunday 9th March at 19:00 Devid Ciampalini will present at Studio Z4 one of his last project, Organo Umano. "Organo Umano" transl. Human Organ conceived through the manipulation of organ pipes, played one by one using breath and recorded in multitrack, this composition takes shape in its live performance as an interaction between an ensemble of people who themselves become organ pipes.
Through this essential and primitive synthesis, Ciampalini brings to life and directs a unique instrument, both archaic and organic, capable of orchestrating a sonic fabric of dynamic tensions.
BIO: Devid Ciampalini (1988), based in Tuscany IT, explores the dialogue between natural elements and the analog equipment used to process and reveal the sounds captured during recording sessions.
The electronic bleep-blops of his strange and lively compositions evoke the flowering of mushrooms, the bright green moss sprouting on stones, the scents of the undergrowth, and the subtle movements of microfauna. Devid seems to be searching for something secret and hidden within the sounds he manipulates. Devid has collaborated on numerous projects for over a decade, releasing music worldwide and performing live across Europe.
Parallel to his own formations (Metzengerstein, New Jooklo Age, Luce Celestiale, etc.), he has played and collaborated with various improvisational musicians, including Ezio Piermattei, David Vanzan, Virginia Genta, Eugenio Sanna, Edoardo Ricci, Adam Bohman, Maresuke Okamoto, Riccardo La Foresta, Maurizio Bianchi, Brandon Lopez, Tiziana Bertoncini, Thomas Lehn, Andrea Borghi, Ninni Morgia, Marco Baldini, Bardo Todol, Pietro Santangelo, Matteo Lenzi, My Cat is an Alien, Giovanni Lami, Donato Epiro, Cristiano Carosi, M. Geddes Gengras, Francesco Fonassi, Giovanni Di Domenico, Ariel Kalma, Michele Guglielmi, Francesco Pellegrino, and Amaury Cambuzat, among others.
14.08.2024
New Open Call launched
Studio Z4 Residency
![]()
OPEN CALL: RESIDENCY
FOR MUSICIANS, COMPOSERS & SOUND ARTISTS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 8, 2024
PDF Open Call auf Deutsch
PDF Open Call in English
21.06.2024
Studio Z4 Residency:
artist sharing with Kaldi Moss
![]()
"Apparatuses do not merely facilitate measurements; they produce (in) different worlds." — Karen Barad, Meeting the Universe Halfway
Dear all
On Friday 21st June we invite you to the residency sharing of Indian artist Kaldi Moss, who is in Zürich for a 3-month residency with Pro Helvetia New Delhi. Moss will present a set of experiments in the form of a performance they call "Lying Down With Time".
"The measurement of time is not just about clocks ticking; it involves complex cultural and philosophical frameworks that dictate our understanding of temporal reality." — Sundar Sarukkai
Lying Down With Time is in response to Moss’s observation of people in Zurich and their loyalty to clock time. How does this relate to the idea of freedom and what does this mean for someone who conceives and lives time differently?
In an attempt to create an apparatus that can sharpen the question, Moss explores a series of incremental experiments, entangling ideas taken from computer science research (Time, clocks, and ordering of events in a distributed network, Leslie et. al.) and biology with philosophy and electronics.
The sharing starts at 6 pm. Afterward, you are invited for drinks and snacks.
See you at our studios at Zeughaus 4 / Kasernenareal / Zeughausstrasse 56 in Zürich.
Kaldi Moss is in a studio residency supported by Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.
24-11-2023
1 Year IFMZ @Zeughaus 4
![]()
11-10-2023
Residency Programme Multidirectional Motions
Starting in winter 2023/24, the IFMZ in cooperation with SONIC MATTER – Platform for Experimental Music and Oto Sound Museum offers a residency programme in Studio 1 of the IFMZ premises at Zeughaus 4 in the Kasernenareal Zurich. The Open Call is aimed at sound artists, musicians and composers living in Switzerland with a focus on contemporary, experimental music or installative and cross-disciplinary practices. Individuals or duos can apply. The residency is not suitable for bands or larger ensembles. The residency is also open to artists from Zurich.
DEADLINE 12 November 2023
TO THE CALL: ︎︎︎Deutsch ︎︎︎Français ︎︎︎Italiano ︎︎︎English
7-9-2023
The free Zurich music scene needs spaces! That's why we founded the association IFMZ and wrote a position paper. If you support our cause, please sign the petition. We are happy about new supporters!
︎︎︎Sign the Petition
In November 2022, IFMZ got a space as part of the interim use of Zeughaus 4 on the Kasernenareal in Zurich — a new place for rehearsals, studios, experiments, exchange and community. The more than 500 square meters of space were divided into a large rehearsal room with control room and grand piano (283m2), a multi-purpose room for rehearsals, workshop, workshops (53m2), six individual studio rooms (27–30m2) and a storage room (30m2).
Rentals of the large rehearsal room are possible upon request (see Rentals).
Main Users Rehearsal Room
︎︎︎Collegium Novum Zurich
︎︎︎Ensemble Tzara
︎︎︎Soyuz21
︎︎︎kollektiv international totem
︎︎︎Le Pli
Main Users Rehearsal Room
︎︎︎Collegium Novum Zurich
︎︎︎Ensemble Tzara
︎︎︎Soyuz21
︎︎︎kollektiv international totem
︎︎︎Le Pli
Renters Studios/Offices
︎︎︎Micha Seidenberg, Komponist
︎︎︎Magda Drozd, Musikerin, Klangkünstlerin
︎︎︎Ivan Deves, Musiker
︎︎︎Nicola Genovese, Künstler, Musiker
︎︎︎Sonic Matter, Festival
︎︎︎Rahel Zimmermann, Komponistin
︎︎︎Pascal Lund-Jensen, Komponist, Sound- und Medienkünstler
︎︎︎Manolo Müller, Komponist, Soundkünstler
For rehearsals of music ensembles, smaller orchestras, chamber music, theater and dance we rent the 282m2 rehearsal room. Workshops and internal sharings are possible, but not public events.
Requests can be made via this ︎︎︎Form. Please read rates and terms and conditions beforehand and check availability in the occupancy calendar. IFMZ membership is worthwhile: Members of the association benefit from lower prices for rentals.
For rehearsals of music ensembles, smaller orchestras, chamber music, theater and dance we rent the 282m2 rehearsal room. Workshops and internal sharings are possible, but not public events.
Requests can be made via this ︎︎︎Form. Please read rates and terms and conditions beforehand and check availability in the occupancy calendar. IFMZ membership is worthwhile: Members of the association benefit from lower prices for rentals.
09.01.2025
Double-Residency-Shaing
with Ruxandra Mitache & Charles Kwong
![]()
We are delighted to invite you to a double residency sharing featuring two artists: Ruxandra Mitache and Charles Kwong. Join us on Sunday, 9th February at 6 PM at Zeughaus 4 (Zeughausstrasse 56, 8004 Zürich) for an evening of sound, artistic exploration, and exchange.
About the Artists:
Ruxandra Mitache is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Switzerland. Her practice focuses on installation, where she often explores the fluid nature of perception by juxtaposing stable and unstable mediums. Drawing inspiration from the interplay of light, she incorporates video, analog animation, photography, and sound into her work, reflecting on the experimental approaches of time and spatiality, the resonance of space. Through these mediums, she tries to construct meditative experiences, ambients that invite the audience to contemplate the created poetic synthesis, the delicate relationship between sensory elements. Since recently she has organized and curated biannual exhibitions at her studio in Montreux, with the intention of exploring in time the contrasted expressions of the fluid metaphor “Melting Walls. She is currently in residence at Studio Z4 from 3rd to 28th February.
Charles Kwong, is a composer from Hong Kong currently based in Zurich. His compositional output focuses on orchestral and instrumental music, compositions for cross-cultural ensemble setup, site-specific music, and transdisciplinary projects that move beyond the traditional concert paradigm. As a performer, his modular synthesizer setup often revolves around physical touches, circuitry glitches, chaotic models, feedback loops, and incorporates acoustic and self-made instruments, exploring and experimenting with biomorphic qualities in sound and sonority. Kwong's compositions have been commissioned by prestigious institutions such as Ensemble Recherche, Lucerne Festival, Takefu International Music Festival, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, and Hong Kong Arts Festival. His works have been featured at festivals including Lucerne Forward, Ultraschall Berlin, Takefu, Ticino Musica, La Roque d'Anthéron, Marvão, and IRCAM ManiFeste.He completed his residency at Studio Z4 in December.
This double residency sharing will present insights into their creative processes and offer a glimpse into their artistic practice. The evening will conclude with drinks and snacks, conversation and exchange.
We look forward to welcoming you!
28.10.2024
Next residency sharing
23.09.2024
Next residency sharing
14.08.2024
Open Call - Studio Z4 Residency
OPEN CALL: RESIDENCY
FOR MUSICIANS, COMPOSERS & SOUND ARTISTS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 8, 2024
PDF Open Call auf Deutsch
PDF Open Call in English
Since Winter 2023, the Initiative Freie Musikszene Zürich (IFMZ), in collaboration with SONIC MATTER- Plattform für experimentelle Musik has been offering a residency program at Zeughaus 4, located in Zurich's Kasernenareal. This year the project is joined by two more partners: ignm Zürich (Internationale Gesellschaft für neue Musik Zürich), and the curatorial project MADAM (Mara Miccichè & Marco Mercuzio Peron).
The Studio Z4 Residency is designed for sound artists, musicians, and composers who focus on contemporary or experimental music, as well as installation and interdisciplinary practices. The program is open to individuals or duos, but not suitable for bands or larger ensembles. Artists from Zurich are also encouraged to apply. A public sharing of work is an integral part of the residency.
This Open Call offers residencies between October 2024 and March 2025, with durations ranging from four to six weeks. The available residency periods are:
• September 30 – October 31, 2024 (4 weeks)
• November 4 – December 1, 2024 (4 weeks) or November 4 – December 15, 2024 (6 weeks)
• February 3 – March 2, 2025 (4 weeks)
• March 3 – March 30, 2025 (4 weeks)
The workspace is equipped with basic technical equipment (
link to techrider). While the room includes elements that improve acoustics, it is not soundproof, meaning that external sounds can enter, and your sounds may leave the studio. Given the presence of other studios in the building, residents should be aware that loud music cannot be played for extended periods. Additionally, the room is not ideal for sound recordings due to the presence of water pipes and street noise. Studio Z4 is situated in District 4, a vibrant and diverse area of Zurich known for its frequent outdoor events.
RESIDENCY BENEFITS:
For All Participants:
• A private, acoustically optimized, and heated studio space (30 sqm)
• Organization and promotion of a public sharing session to facilitate networking with other artists and cultural actors in Zurich
• A fee of 500 CHF for the sharing session
• Access to a communal kitchen and shared areas
For Artists from Outside the Canton of Zurich:
• Coverage of travel expenses (one round trip, up to a maximum of 150 CHF)
• Opportunity for coaching to help navigate Zurich's cultural scene
• If required, up to 1000 CHF per residency may be provided for accommodation, which must be arranged independently
HOW TO APPLY:
Please complete the application form by September 8, 2024: Google Form
For any questions, feel free to contact Magda Drozd at residencies@ifmz.ch
The selection of residents will be made by a jury consisting of Magda Drozd & Nicola Genovese (IFMZ), Lisa Nolte (SONIC MATTER), Mara Miccichè & Marco Mercuzio Peron (MADAM) with decisions announced by mid-September.
The Studio Z4 Residency program is supported by: Stadt Zürich Kultur
Organized by IFMZ in collaboration with: Sonic Matter - Plattform für experimentelle Musik, ignm Zürich, MADAM
![]()
14.06.2024
Kaldi Moss - artist in residence from Goa/India at Studio Z4 Residency
On their residency, Kaldi Moss will be immersing themselves in a multifaceted exploration of sound. They’ll craft instruments, experimenting with a range of techniques from software to analog hardware. Alongside, they’ll conduct ongoing observations in psychoustics and rhythms across various temporal and environmental contexts. Additionally, they’ll compose spatial pieces that blend noise, live electronics, analog instruments, and collaborative improvisation, prioritizing observation-driven complexity over rigid rules.
Moss is interested in experience of beings, their inner lives, measurement, making tools and instruments. They’re invested in studying the subconscious effect of rhythms and shapes that we live in and are interested in transforming architecture through sound. From exploring software, hardware, digital and analog techniques of sound-making to ongoing observations in psychoustics and rhythms at different scales of time and in different kinds of places. Moss also delves into writing spatial compositions that work with various elements of noise, live electronics, analog instruments, and collaboration, improvisation etc.
Supported by Pro Helvetia New Delhi
Photograph by Alina Tiphagne
![]()
04.01.2024
Studio Z4 Residency is ready to go - Our residents in the following months
Starting in January 2024 IFMZ, in cooperation with SONIC MATTER - Platform for Experimental Music, offers a residency program at the IFMZ spaces of Zeughaus 4 in the Kasernenareal Zurich to sound artists, musicians and composers living in Switzerland with a focus on contemporary, experimental music or installation and cross-disciplinary practices.
From January - April 2024 we will welcome the following artists, who were selected by a jury from an open call.
Myalo (Locarno)
Zainab Lascandri (Zürich)
Aya Metwalli (Bern)
Ronja Svaneborg (Zürich, Dornbirn)
Suntka Rinke (Zürich)
Mario Espinoza (Zürich)
Kollektiv HuGo - Luz González, Annatina Huwiler (Bern, Zürich)
Save the dates!
Each artist will share their practice within a residency sharing to the public.
An apéro and possibilities for exchange follow the sharing.
The sharing starts at 6 pm at Zeughaus 4 (Zeughausstrasse 56). Click here for the location on Google Maps (the door is on the street side and not in the courtyard).
16/01 with Myalo
03/02 with Zainab Lascandri
18/02 with Aya Metwalli
15/03 with Ronja Svaneborg
12/04 with Mario Espinoza
25/04 with Suntka Rinke & Kollektiv HuGo
The sharings are supported by Pro Helvetia Schweizer Kulturstiftung. The residency program is supported by Temperatio Stiftung and Oertli Stiftung.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
22.11.2023
22-11-2023
Jad Atoui: First residency at the studio Z4 residency - in cooperation with Sonic Matter![]()
From Novem