Summer Programs
Oberlin Young Composers Workshop
YOUNG COMPOSERS WORKSHOP
July 19 – July 26, 2026
CURRENT APPLICATION STATUS: OPEN
February 15 – Priority Application Deadline
March 15 – Priority Admissions Notification
March 15 – Final Application Deadline if space permits
April 1 – Final Admissions Notification
The Oberlin Young Composers Workshop is designed for 10 current high school composers, who have not yet graduated, and are interested in furthering their composition studies. Prior to the Workshop, the students will be commissioned to write for the ensemble-in-residence composed of current Oberlin students. During the Workshop, they will receive one-on-one mentorship with composition department faculty members, Michael Frazier and Soomin Kim and workshop and rehearse their compositions with the ensemble, have their pieces premiered, and receive high-quality recordings.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Pre-program online meeting in May to discuss the commission, instrumentation, preparing score and parts, and MOLA (Major Orchestra Librarians' Association) guidelines.
- Pre-program online private lesson in June.
- Four 30-minute in-person private lessons with Oberlin faculty at Oberlin
- Lectures and Masterclasses - topics to include: pre-composition strategies, melody writing, motivic development, reharmonization, music theory, contemporary repertoire and analysis.
- Performances with in-residence performers
Flash composition for 1-2 players to be composed and performed during the week
Salon concert - informal and internal performance during the week
Concert - each composer will write a 5-7 minute single or multi-movement piece for a trio to perform at the end of the week.