Compose. Collaborate. Create.
A Two-week intensive for Emerging Composers
May 30-June 12, 2027
Learn more about Composer's Sandbox and apply.
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This two-week program brings together emerging composers for an immersive experience of creative exploration, individualized mentorship and musical collaboration. Work closely with renowned composition faculty, members of the Grammy-nominated PUBLIQuartet and musicians from the acclaimed Society for New Music as you refine your craft, experiment with new ideas and develop original work.
The intensive culminates in a professional performance and recording of participants' compositions by PUBLIQuartet.
THE EXPERIENCE
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Collaborative Composition Seminars: Share your work, exchange ideas with fellow composers and receive constructive feedback from faculty.
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Improvisation Workshops: Experiment with new techniques and approaches to musical expression.
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Individual Faculty Mentorship: Meet daily with composition faculty to discuss works in progress and refine your compositions.
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Expanding Musical Perspectives: Study influential compositions, including works by historically underrepresented and marginalized composers, with an emphasis on music that connects to your own creative interests.
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Orchestration Seminars: Develop your understanding of instrumentation, arranging and writing for ensembles.
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48-Hour Composition Challenge: Put your creativity to the test in a fast-paced composition challenge.
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Entrepreneurship for Composers: Build practical marketing and professional skills to support your career as a composer.
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Local Excursions: Experience Geneva and the surrounding Finger Lakes region.
Hobart and William Smith
Set on a beautiful 300-acre campus along the shores of Seneca Lake, Hobart and William Smith is a top-ranked liberal arts institution with a rich 200-year history.
Gearan Center for the Performing Arts
The Composer's Sandbox Summer Intensive takes place in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, home to music, dance and theater at HWS. This state-of-the-art, $32 million facility features Froelich Performance Hall, spacious rehearsal studios, private practice rooms and dedicated spaces for musical collaboration and creative exploration.
Application
The Composer's Sandbox Summer Intensive welcomes applications from undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early-career composers.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with enrollment limited to 20 participants. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2027, at midnight ET
Lodging and Meals
Lodging
On-campus accommodations include bed linens, with towels available upon request. Early check-in (May 29) and late checkout (June 13) can be arranged. Please indicate your preference on the registration form.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided daily.
Tuition: $2,200
Room and Board: $750 (optional)
