Composition Summer School

Have your music brought to life by one of NYJC’s exceptional nonets comprised of talented young musicians aged 14-18, who were selected from NYJC’s national summer school audition tour!

Explore your creative ideas and develop your compositional skills and creative palette to establish a unique and personal creative style.

Each composer/songwriter will generate new music for one of NYJC’s five nine-piece ensembles, working in a truly welcoming, creative, and professional environment, supported by world-class composers and top-ranking young improvisers.

Previous experience of composing for improvisers isn’t obligatory – we’re keen to unlock the creative door for young creatives from all creative backgrounds, who are serious about developing their skills.

Participants will be well supported through out with the help of a bespoke handbook and playlist, tutorials and seminars led by professional composers, opportunities to meet, rehearse and record with their chosen nine-piece ensemble and on-hand technical support. NYJC asks in return that all participants be punctual, organised and focused.

Applicants are not expected to play a musical instrument or improvise (it’s fine if you do!) Not all professional composers/songwriters are accomplished instrumentalists. That’s why we’re pairing up the composers & songwriters with NYJC summer school’s 45 advanced instrumentalists and singers. We’ll confirm the specific instrumentation of each composers’ nine-piece ensemble when offering them a place. Basic structure is a 4-piece “rhythm section” and five “front line” players.