Curriculum
The Hobart and William Smith Colleges Composer's Sandbox Summer Intensive is an opportunity for composers in the early stages of their career to study with a renowned faculty of composers. Participants selected for the program will have the opportunity to work with musicians from the acclaimed Society for New Music. The two-week-long Intensive will culminate in a performance and recording of their work by the acclaimed Society for New Music All Stars.
Our mission is to provide talented early-stage composers, hands-on learning experience that explores the many disciplines, tools and approaches to develop as a composer. We welcome participants with a range of interests and academic preparation, recognizing that all can contribute to the success of the Intensive, regardless of their music focus.
The Intensive includes:
Faculty led group composition seminars to facilitate discussion of student works and provide evaluative and critical feedback
Improvisation workshops
Daily meetings with composition faculty to discuss works in progress
Composition seminars to look at seminal works and works by historically disenfranchised/marginalized composers— particularly focusing on compositions germane to the works of student composers
Orchestration seminars
48-hour composition challenge
A seminar on entrepreneurship: building marketing skills as a composer
Local excursions
The dates of this summer’s Intensive are Sunday, June 1st through Saturday, June 15th. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis but the program is limited to 20 participants so, we urge students to apply as soon as possible. We have a few partial scholarships for those who will need financial assistance to attend the Intensive.
“Seeing others processes when composing and how I could incorporate their methods to strengthen my own writing.”
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
“Opened my eyes to the many avenues of making money when you are a composer. The realization that I don’t have to be a teacher to be successful.”
“I have a better idea of what my options are and it’s been very good to be exposed to other composers’ ideas.”
“The chance to hear a piece for an ensemble I have never written for before and also get a recording of it.”
“The Intensive allowed me to see the bigger picture of being a composer. I now realize the many different ways I can go about my career.”
“Very special opportunity to have my work read. Instructive to hear it played by live musicians rather than MIDI.”
