About

Join our 5-week intensive Orchestration Workshop learning the art of idiomatic writing through lectures, score studies, composing solo excerpts with readings and feedback from live musician!

Each week, composers receive lectures on solo instruments by our mentor. Composers then go on to write short solo excerpts for those specific instruments which then receive a reading at the next meeting, with live musicians giving feedback and insight into idiomatic writing. This process is repeated twice a week for 5 weeks, in an intensive and hands-on approach.

Through this group workshop, composers will learn how to use each instrument in both a chamber and orchestral setting. Experience a direct approach to learning, with live guest musicians joining each week to showcase their instruments. Learn idiomatic writing as well as extended techniques for each instrument, ask questions and hear how certain techniques actually sound. Learn about the warmth or the shrillness of specific instrument registers, and why certain phrases are difficult to play. Learn how long a tuba can sustain a note, how wind players breath, and the technical challenges of various instruments. This workshop is aimed at the emerging and early-career composer interested in further refining and broadening their understanding of orchestral instruments, ultimately helping them develop a deeper knowledge and skillset in their musical writing.