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Composition Symposium (Non-Credit)
Composition Symposium Overview
The UMKC Conservatory Composition Symposium is June 21-25, 2026.
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 additional special guests.
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 21, 2026
- 3:00pm-3:30pm: Program Check-In
- 3:30pm-4:00pm: Welcome Meeting
- 4:00pm-6:00pm Reading/Coaching Session
- 6:15pm: Optional Social Time (various local restaurants)
June 22-24, 2026
- 9:30am-10:15am: Special Topics
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Rehearsal Session
- 12:30pm-2:00pm: Break for Lunch
- 2:00pm-2:45pm: Special Topics
- 3:00pm-5:00pm: Rehearsal Session/Special Topics
- 5:00pm-5:30pm: Closing Session
- 6:15pm: Optional Social Time (various local restaurants)
June 25, 2026
- 9:30am-10:15am: Special Topics
- 10:30am-12:30pm: Rehearsal Session
- 12:30pm-2:00pm: Break for Lunch
- 2:00pm-2:45pm: Special Topics
- 3:00pm-5:00pm: Rehearsal Session
- 5:00pm-5:30pm: Closing Session
- 7:00pm: Final Concert
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 Thursday, May 1)
- Participant Registration Fee: $650 (deadline Friday, April 10)
- Participant Standard Registration Fee: $750 (deadline Friday, May 31)
- Auditor Early Bird Registration Fee: $400 (deadline Friday, April 10)
- Auditor Registration Fee: $500 (deadline Friday, May 31)
Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds for our summer programs. All fees and deposits are non-refundable.
On-Campus Housing - $300 (Optional)
Those wishing to stay close to the conference may want to register for on-campus housing. Rooms in UMKC residence halls are set up suite-style, with either two or four rooms connected to a shared bathroom. During registration, participants will be able to indicate their preference for room style, but due to limited availability, we cannot guarantee that preferences will be honored. Participants will be housed in either the Oak Street or the Johnson Residence Halls.
Housing Dates
Check in: June 21
Check out: June 25
Housing Staff
All adult programs that offer on-campus housing will have at least one staff member staying on the same floor as our participants and will be available to participants 24/7 in case of an emergency and will be there to assist with check-in and check-out.
Suitemates
During registration, participants will have the option to request suitemates. In order for a request to be granted, both participants must have requested each other. Participants may make multiple requests in case they are placed in a four-room suite.
Detailed housing information will be provided in our welcome packet. Welcome packets are emailed to registered students after registration closes.
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 a guest parking pass. If participants do not want to purchase a pass, the 5th floor of the Cherry Street Parking Garage has metered parking. The 5th floor of the garage also has a ramp that leads directly to the PAC.
Parking permit Fee: $13.50
This allows participants to park in any UMKC Parking Lot. Parking is limited on campus, so a permit is strongly encouraged for those who will be bringing a car. The week prior to the event start date, all registered participants will be sent an invitation to claim and pay for a digital parking pass. Participants will only be charged the $13.50 if they claim their parking pass online.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).
Available instruments are flute, clarinet, French horn, violin, viola, cello, percussion. (A list of available percussion instruments will be distributed separately.) Options may include 2-7 players.
Each participant will be assigned an instrumentation that takes into account their preference as availability allows. 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, 2026.
Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds for our summer programs. All fees and deposits are non-refundable.