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Composition Symposium (Non-Credit)
Composition Symposium Overview
The UMKC Conservatory Composition Symposium is June 15-19, 2025.
A week-long intensive composition workshop for college- and graduate-student-age composers. Composers selected for the workshop will write works for American Wild Ensemble. Each day will feature reading sessions and masterclasses on notation, composition, instrumentation, and other related topics, culminating in a final performance of students’ works, which will be recorded. Students will study with internationally renowned composers Chen Yi, Paul Rudy, and Yotam Haber.
Symposium Faculty and Clinicians
Paul Rudy
UMKC Conservatory Curators' Distinguished Professor of Music Composition
Chen Yi
UMKC Conservatory Lorena Searcy Cravens/ Millsap/ Missouri Distinguished Professor of Composition
Schedule
Our general schedule is available below. A detailed schedule will be emailed after registration closes.
June 15, 2025
- 3-3:30 p.m. — Program Check-In
- 3:30-4 p.m. —Welcome Meeting
- 4-5 p.m. — Reading Session
- 5-6 p.m. — Special Topic
- 6:15 p.m. — Optional Social Time (various local restaurants)
July 16-18, 2025
- 9:30-10:15 a.m. — Special Topics
- 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Reading Session or breakout
- 12:30-2 p.m. — Break for Lunch
- 2-2:45 p.m. — Special Topics
- 3-4 p.m. — Break Rooms for Rehearsals
- 4:15-5 p.m. — Special Topic
- 5-6 p.m. — Closing Session
- 6:15 p.m. — Optional Social Time (various local restaurants)
July 19, 2025
- 9:30-10:15 a.m. — Special Topics
- 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Breakout Rooms for Rehearsals
- 12:30-2 p.m. — Break for Lunch
- 2-2:45 p.m. — Special Topics
- 3 -4 p.m. — Breakout Rooms
- 4:15-5:15 p.m. — Breakout Rooms
- 5:15-6 p.m. — Closing Session
- 6 p.m. — Final Concert and Recording
Tuition and Fees
Tuition includes all classes, all scheduled events during the workshop. Please note that this fee does not include overnight housing or meals. Meals and on-campus housing are not available for this event.
Registration Fees
- Symposium Application: FREE (suggested submission by Friday, May 2)
- Participant Registration Fee: $600 (deadline Friday, May 31)
- Auditor Registration Fee: $300 (deadline Friday, May 31)
Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds for our summer programs. All fees and deposits are non-refundable.
Location and Parking
Location
James C. Olson Performing Arts Center (PAC) - 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110. A staff member will be inside the lobby waiting to check participants in as they arrive.
Parking
Participants can park in the Cherry Street Parking Garage or the Student Success parking lot on the east side of the building, both can be accessed with the student parking pass. If participants do not want to purchase a pass, the 5th floor of the Cherry Street Parking Garage has metered parking, but on Saturdays and Sundays campus parking is free. The 5th floor of the garage also has a ramp that leads directly to the PAC.
Parking permit: $25
This will allow participants to park in any UMKC Student Parking Lot. Parking is limited on campus, so a permit is strongly encouraged for those who will be bringing a car.Application and Registration
Application
Applicants will submit a score sample, with or without audio, as a part of their application. (See below for score submission.)
Within 4 weeks of your application being submitted (and no later than the May 31 registration deadline), you will be sent an email notifying you of your acceptance status. If accepted, you will be sent additional registration instructions. Selected composers will be expected to write a short work (~5 min) for any combination of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and percussion. Scores and parts will be due by June 1.
Students may apply for one of two tracks:
- Participant: Will have their work performed and recorded in the final concert, as well as read and workshopped in a session with American Wild Ensemble.
- Auditor: Will have their work read and workshopped in a session with American Wild Ensemble.
Registration
If accepted, participants will be emailed a link allowing them to register online. Hard-copy forms are available upon request by emailing.
Registration and payment must be received by May 31, 2025.
Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds for our summer programs. All fees and deposits are non-refundable.