Workshop: Nov 5–9, 2026

This residency focuses on the essential exercise of composing a short chamber music work for an assigned instrumentation. All participants receive a professional video and audio recording of their work after the workshop.

Application Period: August 23–September 11

Applications open Sunday, August 23.

Curriculum

Writing under pressure and requirements is a common and necessary part of today’s musical landscape. Here are the most important components:

❋ Composition Lessons

All participants are assigned a faculty mentor and an instrumentation as informed by their application, receiving 2 lessons guiding the composition process prior to the workshop residency.

❋ Rehearsals and Workshops

Connection with world-class interpreters and performers are at the heart of the in-person residency. All works receive 2 workshop rehearsals and a dress rehearsal prior to recording. All sessions are guided by each participant’s assigned mentor.

❋ Recording Session

All works are recorded professionally by our recording engineer-in-residence, Eric Black, a musician and producer whose work is primarily based in the D.C.-area, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The recording captures a live performance of the work, not a heavily-edited studio recording.

❋ Seminars

During the residency, resident artists and composition faculty lead seminars focused on intentional communication, the composer’s business model, and philosophical issues relating composers and performers, to name a few. 

❋ Intragenerational Emphasis and Connection

This program seeks to support the symbiotic relationships between composers and performers, particularly helping young composers find intragenerational support. 

❋ Evolving the Canon

Programming for the Soundbox Fellowship Program focuses the conversation on curation. How can a musical canon be built for the future? How can programming and representation be reconciled? What are the ways to talk about the musical voice of composers and performers?

Composer Faculty

Application Dates & Costs

Application Period: August 23–September 11 (11:59 PM EST)

Results: September 14 (evening EST)

Matriculation Deadline: September 21 (noon EST)

For a list of application materials to prepare, please see our Admissions page.

PROGRAM COSTS

For a full break down of tuition and residency costs as well as our need-based financial aid program, please visit our Costs and Financial Aid page.

Tuition: $1,750

Tuition includes lessons and workshop mentorship, seminar courses, festival event offerings, musician and recording session costs. Need-based financial aid is available to reduce tuition burdens. Please note the following:

  • Financial aid applications are available only to successful applicants.

  • No full scholarships are awarded. Aid is awarded upon assessed need.

  • Financial aid may not be used to reduce residency fee costs.

Residency Fee: $700

Residency fees are a burden of all participants and cover venue costs such as lodging and transportation. There is no waiver or financial aid for the residency fee. All participants receive a private bedroom with a study desk in a 3-bedroom apartment unit with fully equipped kitchen, common room space, and free in-unit laundry.

Applications open Sunday, August 23.