2026 Orchestral Composition Intensive

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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.

For 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 sessions will be conducted by Darrell Brown, who has commissioned 70+ new works for wind symphony and orchestra, and filmed with a 3-camera setup at Rottenbiller Hall in Budapest. 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.

To prepare for the recording sessions in July, your first complete draft will be due June 1, so you can receive feedback through a series of lessons and masterclasses that month. Your enrollment includes 2 composition lessons with Dr. Sowa (1 private and 1 group lesson) and 4 personalized feedback masterclass sessions from world-class musicians, including:

  1. Compositional feedback (choose one):

    • Reynaldo Moya (Composer, Wellesley College. Former Composer-in-Residence of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra)

    • Polina Nazaykinskaya (Composer and conductor. Performances by the Minnesota Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony, among others)

  2. Feedback on your string writing: Gloria Lum (Cellist, LA Philharmonic)

  3. Conductor's eye feedback on your orchestration and notation: Darrell Brown (Composer and conductor, Georgia Southern University)

  4. Feedback on your score and parts preparation: David MacDonald (Notation expert, Scoring Notes podcast co-host, and frequent panelist at international orchestral librarian conferences)

Want to strengthen your orchestration chops and get compositional support before the June deadline? You may also enroll in the Artistic Growth Incubator—Dr. Sowa's live online composition mentorship program—for April and May. These months provide focused orchestration training and compositional feedback through weekly workshops, score study, monthly private lessons with Dr. Sowa (2 total), and supplemental materials, preparing you to write with clarity and confidence.

Apply To The

Intensive

Application Process:

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Enrollment: Applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning February 14, 2026, until the all slots are filled

Apply Now

Featured Guests

Reinaldo Moya
Composer, Wellesley College
Former Composer-in-Residence of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra

Darrell Brown
Conductor and Composer, Georgia Southern University
Commissioner of 70+ new works

David MacDonald
Composer and Notation Expert, Wichita State University
Co-Host, Scoring Notes podcast

Gloria Lum
Cellist, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Joe Jaxson
Composer, DMA Candidate UT-Austin
Winner, 2025 American Prize in Composition, Orchestra–College Division

Polina Nazaykinskaya
Composer and Conductor.
Performances by the Minnesota Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony, among others

Program Details and Tuition

What’s Included:

  • Professional orchestral recording with Budapest Scoring Orchestra, led by Darrell Brown

  • 2 composition lessons with Dr. Joseph Sowa (1 private and 1 group)

  • Participation in 4 personalized masterclass sessions with acclaimed guests: Choose between Polina Nazaykinskaya or Reynaldo Moya (compositional feedback), plus sessions with Darrell Brown (practical orchestration feedback), Gloria Lum (string writing feedback), and David MacDonald (score and parts prep feedback)

  • Full June access to the Artistic Growth Incubator—Joseph's live online composition mentorship program ($600 value)—including all 5 masterclass feedback sessions (4 as participant, 1 as auditor), group composition lesson, and accountability partners for direct support on your piece

Program Timeline:

  • April–May (optional): Write your piece and hone your orchestration skills in the Artistic Growth Incubator (see below)

  • June 1: First complete draft due

  • June: Masterclass feedback sessions throughout the month

  • July 6: Final score and parts due

  • July 15: Recording session with Budapest Scoring Orchestra

Your Recording Session:

  • Orchestra: Budapest Scoring Orchestra, 61 players, instrumentation: 2(II=picc).2(II=Cor.A).2(II=B.Cl.).2–4.2.3.1–timp+2 perc.–12.10.8.6.4

  • Venue: Rottenbiller Hall, Budapest, Hungary

  • Attendance: Join live in Budapest or participate remotely in real-time

  • Conductor: Darrell Brown

  • Recording Engineer: Christian Amonson

  • Filming: 3-camera setup

  • Deliverables: Final mix at 24-bit/48kHz, plus raw ProTools session and camera footage, all delivered by September 30, 2026

Investment:

  • Full session (1 hour recording time ≈ 4–6 minute piece): $3,998

  • Half session (30 minutes recording time ≈ 2–3 minute piece): $2,650

  • Student pricing (current enrollment in high school or university): 10% discount

Improve Your Orchestration Skills with the Artistic Growth Incubator (Optional):

Those hoping to prepare their orchestration skills before the July recording may also enroll in the April and May sessions of the Artistic Growth Incubator—Dr. Sowa’s live online composition mentorship program:

  • April: Exploring Orchestral Textures in Dvořák & Price—Great orchestrators don't write 60+ independent parts. Using Dvořák and Price as our guides, you'll learn the 10 foundational relationships between parts (i.e., “textures”) that ensure your music sounds clear, not cluttered.

  • May: Orchestral Devices That Make Music "Pop!"—Learn 12 essential techniques (doubling, dovetailing, etc.) that composers use to create vivid, attention-grabbing orchestral moments (Guest: Joe Jaxson)

  • Includes monthly private composition lessons with Dr. Sowa (2 total), weekly group workshops (alternating between lectures, score study sessions, and group composition lessons), accountability partners, plus supplemental pre-recorded lessons and practice exercises

  • Investment: $800 for both months

Listen to Recordings from Previous Years

Ready to Submit Your Application?

Application Process:

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Enrollment: Applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning February 14, 2026, until all slots are filled

Apply Now

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 not 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 at all orchestration levels are welcome. If you'd like focused preparation before the July recording, we offer optional April & May orchestration study months ($800 for both) where you'll master essential orchestral textures and devices with Dr. Sowa and guest composer Joe Jaxson.

    See more details in “What is the ‘Artistic Growth Incubator’?” below.

  • Founded and led 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. April, May, and June are specially focused to help you write your orchestral piece.

    • April: Exploring Orchestral Textures in Dvořák & Price Great orchestrators don't write 60+ independent parts. Using Dvořák and Price as our guides, you'll learn the 10 foundational relationships between parts (i.e., “textures”) that ensure your music sounds clear, not cluttered.

    • May:Orchestral Devices That Make Music "Pop!" Learn 12 essential techniques (doubling, dovetailing, etc.) that composers use to create vivid, attention-grabbing orchestral moments (Guest: Joe Jaxson)

    • June: Refining Your Orchestral Piece Your enrollment includes full June access to the Incubator, featuring the 4 masterclass feedback sessions with guest composers (choose between Polina Nazaykinskaya or Reynaldo Moya, plus sessions with Darrell Brown, Gloria Lum, and David MacDonald), accountability partners, and live office hours for direct guidance on your piece.

    All June events are included in the base cost of the intensive. April and May cost an additional $800 total (a $400 discount).

    Learn about the other months’ topics and more about the incubator here.

  • Here are 3 options that can help this 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): $2,650

      • Student rate, half session (30 min): $2,385

    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