Applications are now open for the tenth anniversary of the Albany Symphony Composer and Poet Workshop, an exciting milestone year that brings together emerging composers and, for the first time, poets for a week of collaboration, mentorship, and creative discovery during the American Music Festival.
For a decade, the Albany Symphony’s “Orchestrating the 21st Century” has helped shape the future of American music by championing bold new voices and creating opportunities for artists to learn, connect, and create at the highest level. In 2027, the workshop expands that vision through a groundbreaking interdisciplinary experience where music and language meet, opening new possibilities for artistic exchange and innovation. Guided by acclaimed faculty and immersed in a vibrant community of musicians, composers, and poets, participants will develop their craft, build lasting creative relationships, and contribute to the next chapter of new American art. Whether your medium is musical notes, words, or both, this anniversary year promises to be the most dynamic and inspiring workshop yet.
Learn more and apply by Dec. 28, 2026 at https://www.albanysymphony.com/composerworkshop.
About the Workshop:
Each year, emerging composers are selected by Christopher Theofanidis and David Alan Miller for an immersive residency focused on orchestral composition, artistic development, and professional mentorship. The workshop brings participants inside the creative life of the American Music Festival, providing unparalleled access to rehearsals, performances, faculty, guest composers, and Albany Symphony musicians.
In honor of the program’s tenth anniversary, six poets will join twelve composers in a new collaborative track that explores the creative possibilities between poetry and music. Through workshops and mentorship, Studdard guides participants in collaborative creation, text setting, and the intersection of poetry, storytelling, and contemporary music.
Over several months leading up to the festival, poets and composers will work together to develop new pieces inspired by selected poems, culminating in public readings, performances, and an archival recording session during the residency.
Daily activities include score study, master classes, artistic discussions, professional development sessions, and opportunities to engage directly with leaders across the orchestral field. Participants gain valuable insight into contemporary orchestral practice while building lasting artistic relationships and expanding their creative voice.
The residency culminates with the First Draughts Reading Session, where newly created works are rehearsed, performed, and professionally recorded by Albany Symphony musicians. This signature event offers participants the rare opportunity to hear their work performed, receive immediate artistic feedback, and leave with a professional archival recording.