How to Enroll
- Submit your registration.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
- Make your tuition payment.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
- Request housing. If you will be age 15 or older by the start of your program and require on-campus accommodations, complete the Residence Hall Contract in the Next Steps tab of your registration portal .
*Please note: This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full. When the program capacity has been reached, registrants who have not paid in full will be placed on a waitlist.
Over the course of the two-week program, you'll compose three pieces which will be workshopped and recorded by professional musicians and ensembles. You'll leave the program with a strong portfolio of new works which you can share with friends and family, and use for college applications if you wish. We're very proud to maintain a 5 to 1 student to faculty ratio, meaning you'll receive ample support and individual attention during the composition and rehearsal process.
We'll assist you in working efficiently by giving you prompts for inspiration. We'll also have daily studio lessons where you'll get feedback on your work, have your questions answered, and receive encouragement. It's good training as a composer to be able to write quickly when you don't have the luxury of waiting for inspiration to strike; we'll help you build proactive ways of expressing your musical ideas.
Young composers will receive individualized lessons and coachings from acclaimed faculty and guest artists who will help them build a toolbox of techniques essential to developing a compositional voice. This includes:
- Learning how to write quickly and effectively
- Acquiring rehearsal techniques
- Developing communication skills for collaborating with professional musicians and colleagues
- Receiving feedback on revising scores
Below is a sample schedule.
| Monday | Activities |
| 8 AM–10 AM | Student Orientation |
| 10 AM–11 AM | Welcome Meeting |
| 1 PM–2 PM | Studio Lessons |
| 4 PM–5 PM | Piano Reading |
| 6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Piano Reading |
| 8 PM–9 PM | Broadcast: Piano |
| Tuesday | Activities |
| 9 AM–10 AM | Studio Lessons |
| 10 AM–11 AM | Museum Trip |
| 4 PM–5 PM | Piano Recording |
| 6PM–7:30 PM | Piano Recording |
| 8 PM–9 PM | Writing for woodwinds/percussion |
| Wednesday | Activities |
| 9 AM - 10 AM | Studio Lessons |
| 10 AM–11 AM | Faculty Presentation |
| 4 PM–5:00 PM | Duo Reading |
| 6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Duo Reading |
| 8 PM–9 PM | Concert: Transient Canvas |
| Thursday | Activities |
| 9 AM - 10 AM | Studio Lessons |
| 10 AM–11 AM | Faculty Presentation |
| 4 PM–5 PM | Duo Reading |
| 6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Duo Reading |
| 8 PM–9 PM | Concert: Transient Canvas |
| Friday | Activities |
| 9 AM–10 AM | Studio Lessons |
| 10 AM–11 AM | Faculty Presentation |
| 4 PM–5 PM | Group Improvisation |
| 6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Group Improvisation |
| 8 PM–9 PM | Concert: Transient Canvas |
| Saturday | Activities |
| 10 AM–11 AM | Duo Recording |
| 1 PM–2 PM | Duo Recording |
| 4 PM–5 PM | String Quartet Presentation |
Schedule is subject to change.
A final concert will also be broadcasted online so friends and family can tune in from anywhere.
Students ages 15 to 18 with some foundation in music composition.
Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.
Students interested in registering for this program should prepare the following materials:
- PDF scores of two original compositions
- Two links to audio recordings of your compositions. MIDI-based performances are acceptable if a live recording is not available. Your submissions should be three to five minutes in length.
Instructions on how to submit your materials are available in the online registration portal.
Program Director
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Chair of Composition, Contemporary Music, and Core Studies
Once you're enrolled visit our Next Steps for Enrolled Students to make sure you have everything you need for your program.
Check your email for important information
- You should continue to check the email that you used to enroll in the program for important information.
- You will receive a detailed check-in email with information regarding your assigned arrival location, housing assignment, and a link to view your program schedule one to two weeks prior to the start date of your program.
- When you arrive on campus, you will receive additional program information to guide you through your program.
What to pack
- A laptop with notation software, or manuscript paper and a pencil
- A notebook
- Two-three objects from home that you can use to make noise with. Bring things that are lightweight, easy to carry in one hand, and on which you can make a few different sounds at different volumes. For instance, you might bring a bowl, a shoebox, a wooden cup, etc.
- Review our list of instruments and gear to bring to your program in this knowledge base article
- If you are staying on campus, you can reference this packing list with any additional items you’ll need while attending your program.