Winter 2026
Oboe Composition Intensive
The Wizarding School for Composers invites composers of all skill levels, ages, and nationalities to apply for an Oboe Composition Intensive taught by composer Dr. Joseph Sowa and Jennet Ingle, principal oboist of the South Bend Symphony.
In the intensive, you will have the opportunity to write an original 2-4' piece for oboe or English horn with flexible instrumentation (solo, with piano, or chamber ensemble up to 5 players total). Composers will be paired with performers from Jennet Ingle's oboe studio based on mutual preferences and available instrumentation. You and your partner will collaborate directly, leading to the performance of your work—with potential publication by TrevCo Music and performance at the International Double Reed Society's 55th Annual Conference.
There are only 12 spots available for this opportunity. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of December 10, 2025.
Early bird deadline extended till Friday. Apply by December 5 for early bird pricing—save $100!
Details at a Glance
Program Dates: January 8–April 8, 2026
Your 2–4’ chamber piece for oboe or English horn (solo, with piano, or small chamber ensemble) performed in Jennet Ingle's April 8, 2026 online oboe studio concert
Publication consideration by TrevCo Music Publishing
Performance consideration at the International Double Reed Society's 55th Annual Conference (Miami University, Oxford, Ohio) in July 2026
3 group workshops:
January: Masterclass on Writing for Oboe & English Horn with Jennet Ingle
February: Group Composition Lesson with collaborative feedback
April: “Marketing Your Music” workshop—a proven system for getting additional performances and score sales
1 private composition lesson with Dr. Joseph Sowa
Direct collaboration with your paired oboist throughout the composition process
Upgrade Option: Participation in the “Artistic Growth Incubator” (an $1,800 value)
3 months of weekly workshops, score study sessions, and group composition lessons to help you grow your compositional fluency
Weekly accountability partners and private online community
1 private composition lesson per month with Dr. Sowa (3 total)
Tuition:
Early bird (by Dec 1) : $650 intensive only / $2,300 for intensive + 3 months Incubator (save $150)
Regular (Dec 2-10): $750 intensive only / $2,400 for intensive + 3 months Incubator (save $150)
How to Apply: Submit ONE recent composition (mp3 + pdf) and answer a few basic questions using this form
Application deadline: December 10, 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis—only 12 spots available)
By the end of the intensive, you'll have a beautiful addition to your portfolio that will be attractive to oboists for future performances—and the tools to get those performances.
Application deadline: Early Bird: December 5 / Final: December 10 (Applications reviewed on a rolling basis—only 12 spots available)
Who You’ll Work With
Dr. Joseph Sowa
Composer, Founder of the Wizarding School for Composers
Jennet Ingle
Principal Oboist, South Bend Symphony
What We’ll Do (Plus What You’ll Get)
Option 1: Oboe Composition Intensive Only
Perfect for composers who are ready to dive in and write their oboe piece with focused support:
What's Included:
3 group workshops (oboe writing masterclass, group composition lesson, marketing)
1 private composition lesson with Dr. Sowa (February 11–March 4)
Direct collaboration with your paired oboist
Performance in April 8, 2026 online concert
Publication consideration by TrevCo Music Publishing
Performance consideration at IDRS's 55th Annual Conference (July 2026)
Option 2: Incubator + Intensive Bundle
⭐️ Recommended ⭐️
The comprehensive pathway for composers who want expert guidance and skill-building throughout the entire composition process:
Everything in Option 1, PLUS:
Three Months of Targeted Skill Building (January–March 2026)
Each month's curriculum builds compositional fluency beyond just the oboe piece:
January: Big Ideas for Small Forms — Master the skills for generating vivid musical ideas and crafting sophisticated phrase structures that make short pieces compelling and memorable.
February: Chamber Textures That Support and Dialogue — Learn to write piano parts and chamber textures that create true chamber music partnership using rhythm, gesture, and contrapuntal thinking.
March: Longer Forms Through Better Development — Master techniques for composing transitions and development sections that keep listeners engaged in longer pieces.
Complete Incubator Membership (January–March)
Weekly workshops every Thursday at 12 PM Eastern—score study, group composition lessons, and skill-building sessions (recorded replays within 24 hours)
1 private lesson per month with Dr. Sowa (3 total lessons vs. just 1 in the standalone intensive)
Guest masterclass feedback from renowned composers and performers
Weekly accountability partners and private online community
Ongoing support as you draft, revise, and polish your oboe piece
Success from the 2023 Oboe Composition Intensive
6 participants from our Fall 2023 intensive were published by TrevCo Music Publishing
Listen to John Bradshaw’s “Não é um Pato / Not a Duck":
Your piece could be next. Submit your application below.
The Journey
Here's what the intensive timeline looks like:
January 8 — First workshop on sketching ideas
January 21 — Get-together meeting with oboists
February 4 — First sketches due to oboists
February 11 — Receive feedback from oboists + schedule private lesson with Dr. Sowa (lesson happens before March 4)
March 4 — Completed piece due
March 18 — Receive feedback on completed pieces from oboists and incorporate revisions
April 8 — Zoom premiere of pieces
Spring 2026 — Pieces submitted to TrevCo Music for publication consideration
July 7–11 — Potential performance at the International Double Reed Society's 55th Annual Conference (Miami University, Oxford, Ohio)
The Investment
Oboe Composition Intensive Only
Get everything you need to write, perform, and potentially publish your oboe piece—4 group workshops, 1 private lesson, direct collaboration with a professional oboist, and pathways to publication and conference performance.
Tuition:
Early Bird (by Dec 5): $650
Regular (Dec 6-10): $750
Artistic Growth Incubator + Oboe Composition Intensive Bundle ← Best Value
Three months of Incubator membership ($1,800) + Oboe Composition Intensive ($750 regular price)—bundled together at a discount.
You get: Weekly workshops, 3 private lessons (1 per month), guest masterclasses, community support, AND the complete intensive with performance, publication consideration, and marketing training.
This is the recommended pathway for composers who want expert guidance throughout the entire composition process.
Bundle Price:
Early Bird (by Dec 5): $2,300 (save $250 off regular $2,550)
Regular (Dec 6-10): $2,400 (save $150 off regular $2,550)
Payment plans available: 4 monthly payments of $575 (early bird) or $600 (regular).
Don't miss this chance to grow as a composer and get your work performed!
Ready to Submit Your Application?
Application Process:
Submit ONE recent composition (PDF score + mp3 recording) by filling out this quick form
Qualified applicants will be invited to a brief 15-minute interview to discuss the program, answer any questions you have, and confirm fit
There are no application fees—applying is 100% free
Application Deadline: December 10, 2025 (Early bird pricing ends December 5)
Enrollment: Applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning immediately, until all 12 spots are filled
Questions? Contact Dr. Joseph Sowa at joseph@composersschool.com
Got an original hymn performed at 1000 churches across the US
“Before the course I had lots of processes scattered about. After the course, I feel much more organized and productive. Your mentoring, resources, and presentations all gave me what I needed.”
— Tom Lough, composer
Secured 2 commissions, plus the premiere of a band piece
“I've been experiencing great success modeling my communications after your email templates and have been able to charge a lot more for my commissions than I would have felt comfortable with before working with you!"
— Karalyn Schubring, composer, pianist