Join us for the Young Composers Festival!

The Young Composers Festival marks the culmination of a year of hard work and dedication for our students. Over three days in May, each student will have their final project, a brand new work for String, Wind or Brass Quintet, or Full Orchestra, read and performed for the public for the very first time – that’s over 30 premieres! This is a great opportunity for students to present their work, and for the TSO and concertgoers to celebrate their accomplishments. We hope to see you there!

May 4, 2024 – Leo Rich Theater, 260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
- Works for Full Orchestra by Advanced YCP Students
May 10, 2024 – Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
- Works for String Quintet and Wind Quintet by Introductory and Intermediate YCP Students
May 11, 2024 – Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
- Works for String Quintet and Brass Quintet by Introductory and Intermediate YCP Students

About the Young Composers Project

Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Young Composers Project is a hands-on learning experience that guides students from understanding basic music theory through the creation of a new work for symphony orchestra. Students will dive into the creative process of composition as they learn about orchestral instruments directly from TSO musicians, and diverse musical genres and composition techniques from the best composition instructors in Southern Arizona.

As a student in the Young Composers Project, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with professional TSO musicians and Maestro José Luis Gomez, observe closed dress rehearsals, meet renowned guest artists and work with professional composers—privileges granted only to Young Composers Project students! At the end of class, you will receive an original score you wrote, printed, and bound yourself and a professional audio recording of your composition. The class culminates in the Young Composers Festival each May, during which the Tucson Symphony Orchestra performs your original work.

The Young Composers Project is a course from September to May for young musicians ages 8–18. Now in its 32nd year, the Young Composers Project has produced more than 445 new works by young composers.

To learn more, please email the TSO education team.

Eligibility

All music students ages 18 and under are encouraged to apply, regardless of experience! Training in classical music is not required.

Deadline

The deadline for the 2023-2024 school year has passed.

Tuition

Tuition ranges from $350-$500 per year. Scholarships are available.

Apply now!

Introductory Class

If you recently learned to read music, have never composed before or are an elementary student, this is likely the right class for you.

Intermediate Class

If you have studied some music theory, have composed some but only for one or two instruments, or have completed the Introductory Class, this is likely the right fit for you.

Advanced Class

If you have completed two years of the Intermediate Class and are ready to move up, or have extensive composition experience, this most challenging class may be the right fit for you.

VIEW ALL COURSE SCHEDULES

Application Process

First, complete the application form. The form will ask for basic student and contact information, as well as musical background and composition experience (if any). Upon submission of the application form, you will receive a copy of your responses by email. This is confirmation that your application was received.

Within the form, you will be asked to select a class level. Our goal for class placement is to identify where you or your student will best achieve success within our challenging curriculum. If you are not certain for which class you should register, please make your best guess based on the guide below, and email the TSO education team for further guidance. Final decision on class placement will made by the instructors after an initial assessment questionnaire on the first day of class.

After completing the application, each new student will need to submit two letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with their musical abilities. For example, a school music director, private teacher, choir leader, etc. Please send these in by email. Returning students who have participated in the Young Composers Project recently do not need to submit letters. If this step of the process presents a significant barrier to application, please email the TSO education team to discuss potential accommodations.

Application Deadline: August 25, 2023. All materials must be received by this date, including letters of recommendation. Once all materials are received, students will be notified of acceptance into the program. If classes have reached capacity, students will be notified that they are on the waiting list, and will be contacted if a spot opens up.

Classes begin in early September, and students have until October 1 to switch class levels or drop the class. The full schedule for each class, with deadlines, will be posted and sent to all participants in July.

The Young Composers Project is proudly supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition payment can be sent as soon as your application is complete, and must be paid in full by October 1 in order to continue class. Tuition covers classes September through May (two semesters), including a professional performance and recording of each student’s final composition project. Tuition: Introductory ($350), Intermediate ($450), Advanced ($500).

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available in the form of needs-based scholarships. Generous funding by TSO donors allows us to provide partial or full scholarships to a small number of students. Please indicate on your application that you are interested in applying for financial aid, and staff will contact you with the aid request form.

Class Location

Classes will take place in person at the Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 North 6^th Avenue, Tucson AZ 85705. The Introductory Class meets at 5:00 pm on Fridays, and the Intermediate and Advanced Classes meet on Saturdays at 1:00 pm.

Please email the TSO education team if you have any further questions about the application process.

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