Young Artists Composition Program

June 30 – August 10, 2013

Ages 14-19*

*Students must not have begun their coursework in a post-secondary degree program (such as a college or university). Full eligibility details are found on this FAQ page.

Where can YOU take the music?

Directed by highly regarded ASCAP composer, teacher, and pianist Martin Amlin, with Assistant Director Justin Casinghino, the Young Artists Composition Program offers talented high school composers the unique opportunity to focus for six weeks solely on exploring and refining their compositional skills.  The challenging and stimulating environment includes exposure to all Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts and the resources of the Tanglewood Music Center.  Students also attend rehearsals and performances of the Festival of Contemporary Music at the Tanglewood Music Center and meet visiting composers throughout the summer – a rare chance to learn and hear firsthand from some of the world’s leading composers.

Student composers attend daily classes in analysis, score-reading, and compositional techniques.  Weekly private lessons are enhanced by classes in music theory and aural skills.  Each week, composers write pieces for a small ensemble; these pieces are read and recorded at the end of the week, providing the students with a valuable archive and learning tool.  The BUTI Young Artists Orchestra also has a reading session of composers’ works.  A full evening concert showcases pieces composed during the summer.  Additional performance opportunities are available in chamber music and through other BUTI programs.

Recent visiting composers to BUTI include John Harbison, David Del Tredici, Michael Gandolfi, Nico Muhly, Marti Epstein, Richard Cornell, Joshua Fineberg, Jonathan Newman, and Eilliot Carter.  Special events are also arranged with the Composition Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center, exchanging ideas with guest composers, faculty and students.