2024 Orchestral Composition Intensive

Dr. Joseph Sowa
Composer, Founder of the Wizarding School for Composers

The Wizarding School for Composers will be selecting 5 composers for an Orchestral Intensive led by composer Dr. Joseph Sowa. Composers of all ages, skill levels, and nationalities, writing in any style, are invited to apply.

In the intensive, you will have the opportunity to write an original 4–6’ piece for the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, whose credits include projects for Disney, Lucasfilm, Netflix, and others.

The orchestra consists of 61 players, including 2(II=picc).2(II=Cor.A).2(II=B.Cl.).2 –4.2.3.1–timp+2 perc.–12.10.8.6.4.

The recording session will be filmed with a 2-camera setup. The sessions will be mixed and mastered by Christian Amonson, who has recorded for Yo-Yo Ma and John Williams and teaches at USC’s Thornton Screen Scoring program.

Before the session, you may also choose to participate in 3 personalized feedback masterclass sessions from world-class musicians, including:

  1. Your choice of Melinda Wagner (head of composition at Juilliard) OR Jongic Bontemps (composer, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts)

  2. Michelle Rakers (Emmy-winning conductor, who’ll also be conducting your piece in Budapest)

  3. David MacDonald (Notation expert, Scoring Notes podcast co-host, and frequent panelist at international orchestral librarian conferences)

Those hoping to hone their orchestration skills may also choose to enroll in a self-paced online orchestration course that covers instrumentation, arranging, and score prep and includes written feedback on all assignments plus 2 private lessons with Dr. Sowa.

Details at a Glance:

Session Dates/Location:

  • July 16–18, 2024

  • Attend live or remote in real-time

  • Budapest Scoring, Budapest, Hungary

Deliverables:

  • The camera footage

  • The raw ProTools session

  • The final mix at 24-bit/96kHz

  • All of the above delivered by August 31, 2024

Fees:

  • Pro rate, full session (1 hour ≈ 4-6’ piece): $3,150

  • Student rate, full session (1 hour): $2,897

  • Score Reviews Sessions: add $497

  • Orchestration course + 2 private lessons: add $497

Questions? Interested? Email program director Dr. Joseph Sowa at joseph@composersschool.com

Check out these recordings from the Spring 2023 cohort👇

"Foresta di sogni"
Marco Elia Righi
"Arethusa"
Heather Savage
"the warmth of yearning..."
Stephanie Plautz

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The sessions will be held live in Budapest. Participants may attend in-person or virtually via Zoom/Audiomovers. Transportation to Budapest and lodging are no included in the participation fee.

  • Additional players may be added to the orchestra at a rate of $97 per player, in consultation with Dr. Sowa.

  • Yes, composers who have little orchestral experience will be considered to participate, provided they enroll in the orchestration course.

  • Here are 3 options that can help his be more financially affordable:

    1) You may choose to pay using a payment plan that divides the fee into 4 monthly payments.

    2) You can write a shorter piece. Half sessions (good for a 2-3’ piece) are available at the following rates:

    - Pro rate, half session (30 min): $1,575

    - Student rate, half session (30 min): $1,449

    3) Many universities and conservatories provide funds for student participation in summer festivals. Ask your department chair if you can get part or all of the expenses covered.

  • Email program director Dr. Joseph Sowa at joseph@composersschool.com