YOUNG COMPOSERS WORKSHOP 2023

Program Dates: June 10–13, 2023 | Program Director: Sean Friar

We have made some changes to our program and application. Please review all our program pages carefully: Program Overview, Curriculum, How to Apply (Application Materials), and Financial Aid.

Program Overview

Fifteen to twenty students will participate in the 2023 Sunset Chamberfest Young Composers Workshop. Each participant will be given the opportunity to compose a new work for instruments such as violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, and clarinet, which will be workshopped and professionally recorded by Sunset Chamberfest's performing artists. Additionally, Sunset Chamberfest will host a lecture series for its participants on a wide range of topics. The recording session will be presented as a concert with livestream broadcast celebrating the young composer participants.

Program Dates: June 10–13, 2023

Eligibility: Composers between the ages of 14–22

  • You must be currently in a high school, college undergraduate, or equivalent schooling

  • Composers outside the age range will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • You must be residing in the United States.

  • It is preferable that you attend all activities in-person during the Workshop: June 10–13, 2023. Sunset Chamberfest will make all efforts possible to accommodate participants on Zoom if they are unable to attend in-person.

The Young Composers Workshop participants have used their recordings to successfully gain admission into institutions such as Curtis, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Juilliard, Colburn, Eastman, USC, UCLA, and music festivals such as Tanglewood and Yellow Barn.

Alumni of the Young Composers Workshop have used their recordings to successfully gain admission into institutions such as Curtis, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Juilliard, Colburn, Eastman, USC, UCLA, and music festivals such as Tanglewood and Yellow Barn.

Curriculum

All admitted young composers participate in:

  • Three meetings with composition faculty

    • One 15-minute meeting and brainstorming session

    • a 45-minute lesson on a first draft

    • a 60-minute lesson on a second draft

  • One 30-minute workshop session with performing artists and composition faculty

  • One 60-minute rehearsal with performing artists after initial workshop

  • A professional recording

  • Discussion with performing artists on extended techniques, career development, and approaches to musicianship

  • Lectures from widely-acclaimed composition faculty

YCW Alumnus

“Even as a college student, there is no comparison: the best recordings and performances of my music have come from Sunset Chamberfest.”

Curriculum Schedule

May: Participants meet with assigned composition faculty for 3 privately-scheduled meetings:

June 1: Final draft deadline (scores will be sent directly to musicians)

June 9, evening: Meet and greet

June 10: Workshop Day

  • Participants attend the initial read-throughs of their works and workshop their pieces with musicians and faculty.

  • Group discussion on the participant works and workshop experiences.

  • Participants attend 2 lectures.

June 11: Revision Day

  • Participants have 24 hours to make minor revisions to their works based on workshop feedback.

  • Revised scores are due by midnight.

June 12: Rehearsal Day

  • Participants rehearse their revised scores with musicians and faculty.

  • Participants attend 2 lectures.

June 13: Concert and Recording Day

  • Participants attend the dress rehearsal of their works.

  • The recording session will be an open concert with livestream broadcast.

June 14: Recap on Zoom

  • Workshop Director Sean Friar will lead a final discussion on Zoom with reflections on the composition, revision, and workshop experience.