Fall 2025 Chamber & Choral Composition Intensive

Write and record a new choral composition (or revise and record an old one) with Brevitas, led by Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen, as part of the Wizarding School for Composer’s Fall 2024 Choral Composition intensive

Apply Soon: Only 2 Spots Remaining

The Wizarding School for Composers invites composers of all skill levels, ages, and nationalities to apply to the Fall 2025 Chamber & Choral Composition Intensive, featuring Grammy winning violinist Domenic Salerni, cellist Raphael Boden, and pianist Erika Dohi, along with Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen, founder and director of the professional choir Brevitas.

This is your chance to create two major portfolio pieces with world-class musicians while experiencing the full transformative power of the Incubator approach—skill development, creative process mastery, and professional recording opportunities working together to accelerate your artistic growth.

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.

Details at a Glance:

  • Your 4–6’ choral piece professionally recorded on 1/11/25 by Brevitas, led by Dr. Matthew Nielsen, in Los Angeles, California. You may attend the recording session live or remote in real-time.

  • 2 group Zoom masterclasses giving feedback on your compositions with special guest Jocelyn Hagen and Dr. Matthew Nielsen.

  • 1 group Zoom workshop on choral writing with Dr. Matthew Nielsen, covering the essentials from his book

  • 1 group Zoom workshop on marketing your music, led by Dr. Joseph Sowa. He’ll teach you a proven, step-by-step system to get additional performances of your piece.

  • 1 private Zoom lesson with Dr. Joseph Sowa

  • BONUS: Free copy of The Technique of Choral Writing.

  • Dates: November 1, 2024–January 11, 2025

  • Participation Fee: $1,597

Who You’ll Work With

Dr. Joseph Sowa

Composer, Founder of the Wizarding School for Composers

Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen and the Brevitas Chamber Choir

Dr. Nielsen is a choral conductor and composer. Founder and director, Brevitas. Author, The Technique of Choral Writing

Piano Trio: Domenic Salerni, Raphael Boden, and Erika Dohi

Grammy-winning violinist Domenic Salerni is joined by cellist Raphael Boden and pianist Erika Dohi

What We’ll Do (Plus What You’ll Get)

Two Professional Recording Sessions

You'll write for and record with exceptional musicians in both chamber and choral settings:

  • December 2025: Piano Trio Session with Grammy-winning violinist Domenic Salerni, cellist Raphael Boden, and pianist Erika Dohi at New York City’s South Oxford Space.

  • January 2026: Chamber Choir Session with Brevitas, the Los Angeles-based professional chamber choir, led by Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen, author of The Technique of Choral Writing.

Four Months of Targeted Skill Building (September-December)

Each month's curriculum directly supports your recording projects:

  • September: Writing for Strings in Chamber Settings — Essential string techniques and chamber textures, with special focus on piano trio writing

  • October: Memorable Melody Writing — Master motivic development and psychological principles that make melodies unforgettable

  • November: Text Setting & Word Painting — Learn how you can use gesture to amplify the text’s meaning

  • December: Advanced Choral Writing — Textures and devices that make your music sound like more than a basic 4-part harmony exercise or hymn

Complete Incubator Membership

Grow your skills and polish your pieces in private lessons, group workshops, masterclasses, and a community of dedicated composers:

  • Weekly workshops, score study sessions, and group composition lessons every Thursday at 12 PM Eastern (with recorded replays available within 24 hours)

  • Up to 2 private lessons per month with Dr. Sowa

  • Masterclass feedback on your music from renowned guests. Past guests have included Jocelyn Hagen, Melinda Wagner (Juilliard), Joshua Habermann (Santa Fe Desert Chorale), and others

  • Weekly accountability partners and private online community

Listen to Recordings from Previous Years

THE JOURNEY

September — Intensive begins with string writing and chamber music fundamentals. You'll start developing your piano trio concept while mastering essential techniques for writing idiomatically for strings.

October — Memorable melody writing as you refine your piano trio and begin conceptualizing your choral piece. We'll analyze what makes melodies stick and apply those insights to your compositions.

November — Comprehensive text setting techniques for your choral project. You’ll also turn in your piano trio ahead of the December 6 recording session in New York City.

December — Piano trio recording session, plus advanced choral writing techniques as you finalize your choir piece. Study sophisticated choral literature and apply those insights to create compelling, performance-ready music.

January — Professional choir recording with Brevitas in Los Angeles. Date TBA.

THE INVESTMENT

Fall Composer Intensive: $4,400 total

  • Monthly Mentoring & Full Incubator Access: $550/month × 4 months = $2,200

  • Recordings: $600 (Piano Trio) + $1,600 (choir) = $2,200

  • Total Package: $4,400

Alternative: Commit to Full Year and Save Choose the complete 12-month Artistic Growth Incubator at $900/month ($10,800 total) and receive:

  • Everything in the fall intensive

  • March 2026: Recording with oboe students of Jennet Ingle (principal oboist, South Bend Symphony)

  • July 2026: Budapest Scoring Orchestra recording session

  • Continued mentoring and skill development through the end of August 2026

That's $200 less per month than the fall intensive rate, plus you get 8 additional months of mentoring and two more recording opportunities.

Payment Options:

  • Monthly: 4 payments of $1,100/month = $4,400 total

  • Pay in full (5% discount): $4,400 $4,180

Enroll and pay in full by July 15 (10% discount): $4,400 $3,960

Ready to Submit Your Application?

Application Process:

Application Deadline: August 23, 2025.

Enrollment: Applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning August 15, 2025, until the 2 remaining slots are filled

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.

  • Founded and let by Dr. Joseph Sowa, the Artistic Growth Incubator is a comprehensive online training program for emerging composers who want to grow their composing and career skills so that they can secure at least one new commission or performance every month—and do it with confidence.

    Each month, the incubator focuses on a different skill- or career-building topic. May and June are specially focused to help you write your orchestral piece.

    May: Introduction to Orchestral Textures

    Study the 10 basic orchestral textures, with special focus on monophony, choral writing, and melody-accompaniment relationships.

    June: Adding Color and Nuance With Orchestral Devices

    Master 12 specific orchestration devices that add professional polish to your orchestral writing, following techniques of master composers.

    Learn about the other month’s topics and more about the incubator here.

  • 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): $1,418

    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