The National Young Composers Challenge is open to young musicians ages 13 to 18 who are U.S. residents.

The Challenge is simple. First, you can take part in a free full-day workshop with world-renowned composers and musicians. Then you write your own score for chamber ensemble or full orchestra. Finally, a panel of judges chooses the top three orchestral and top three ensemble compositions to be performed by a professional orchestra at the next YCC Composium.

Starting in 2013 there will be two Composiums held each year and two chances to win! Each Spring the Composium East will be held in Orlando featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and each Fall the Composium West will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area featuring the Marin Symphony.

At each Composium, the top three orchestral composers will be awarded $1000 each and the top three ensemble composers will be awarded $500 each. PLUS each winner will receive a professional recording of their composition performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra or the Marin Symphony.

Dates for 2013 are as follows:

Free Workshop: Saturday, March 16, 2013
UCF Create

Offered each Spring, this free workshop is your chance to learn how to use the tools of the trade from industry professionals. The workshop is available on a first-come first-serve basis and only a limited number will be allowed to attend, so register early. Attendees will learn the principles of composition, orchestration, music notation, scoring software, and MIDI technology from nationally-recognized composers. Demonstrations of each orchestral instrument by top professional musicians will be provided, along with tips for writing for those instruments. Entrants who have already written music may bring their compositions for feedback. For other entrants, bring your ideas and talent—and then learn how to compose! View PDF flyer

Composium: Sunday, March 17, 2013 (2:00 PM)
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

What is a composium? It’s like a concert, plus a master class, plus a competition. It’s informative and yet entirely thrilling.

Each Spring, witness an amazing afternoon of excitement, drama, and music. Be sure and mark your calendar to hear the winning compositions by America’s best young composers rehearsed, discussed, and performed by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.

In the first hour session, the winning chamber ensemble compositions are performed by musicians of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Each composer is interviewed by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and comments are given by the judges and musicians.

After a brief intermission, the performance session for each of the three full orchestra compositions begins with the audience hearing a portion of the young composer’s computer-generated MIDI score. Then the composition is briefly rehearsed, giving the composer an opportunity to interact with conductor Christopher Wilkins, the orchestra musicians, and the judges. Each session ends with the final recorded performance of the composition. Dress casually, bring the kids, and stay for all or part of this amazing FREE event. View PDF flyer

For more information, visit www.YoungComposersChallenge.org