Fall 2024 Choral Composition Intensive
Write and record a new choral composition (or revise and record an old one) with Brevitas, led by Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen, as part of the Wizarding School for Composer’s Fall 2024 Choral Composition intensive
The Wizarding School for Composers invites composers of all skill levels, ages, and nationalities to apply to the Fall 2024 Choral Composition Intensive, featuring special guest Jocelyn Hagen, and taught by composer Dr. Joseph Sowa and Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen, founder and director of the professional choir Brevitas.
In the intensive, you will have the opportunity to write an original 4–6’ piece (or revise an existing one) for a chamber choir consisting of 8 singers, including SSAATTBB. (Extra singers or instruments, e.g., piano, may be added for an additional fee.) Your piece will receive approximately one hour of rehearsal time plus one hour of recording.
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.
Details at a Glance:
Your 4–6’ choral piece professionally recorded on 1/11/25 by Brevitas, led by Dr. Matthew Nielsen, in Los Angeles, California. You may attend the recording session live or remote in real-time.
2 group Zoom masterclasses giving feedback on your compositions with special guest Jocelyn Hagen and Dr. Matthew Nielsen.
1 group Zoom workshop on choral writing with Dr. Matthew Nielsen, covering the essentials from his book
1 group Zoom workshop on marketing your music, led by Dr. Joseph Sowa. He’ll teach you a proven, step-by-step system to get additional performances of your piece.
1 private Zoom lesson with Dr. Joseph Sowa
BONUS: Free copy of The Technique of Choral Writing.
Dates: November 1, 2024–January 11, 2025
Participation Fee: $1,597
Instructors & Guests
Dr. Joseph Sowa
Composer, Founder of the Wizarding School for Composers
Jocelyn Hagen
Jocelyn Hagen composes music that has been described as “simply magical” (Fanfare Magazine) and “dramatic and deeply moving” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis/St. Paul).
Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen
Choral conductor and composer. Founder and director, Brevitas. Author, The Technique of Choral Writing
About Brevitas + Recording Demos
Founded by Dr. Matthew D. Nielsen, Brevitas is a professional choir that has recorded 4 professional albums and performed in the ACDA’s 2020 Western Division Conference
Below are a sampling of pieces recorded during last year’s Intensive:
Bonus: The Technique of Choral Writing
As a special bonus, all participants will receive a hard copy of Dr. Nielsen’s new book, The Technique of Choral Writing. This methodical textbook explains the fundamentals of composing and arranging choral music including:
How to set words to music
An introduction to understanding the human voice
Understanding different types of choral ensembles
Exploring numerous choral voicings and textures
Strategies when working with instrumental collaborators
Suggested exercises for practice
Over 200 musical examples
This book is the perfect complement to the masterclasses with Jocelyn Hagen and Matthew Nielsen.
Praise for The Technique of Choral Writing
“Matthew Nielsen has now enhanced the field of choral writing by authoring an engaging, encompassing, and richly illustrated book on the many intricacies needing to be addressed by serious students of this unique craft. Highly recommended.”
— Morton Lauridsen
“An exquisitely researched, extremely readable, and vital guide to choral writing.”
— Tarik O’Regan
How To Apply
Dates: November 1, 2024–January 11, 2025
Participation Fee: $1,597
To apply: Send ONE representative score and recording (mockups okay) to
joseph@composersschool.com by November 1st.
There are only 5 spots available. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis until spots are filled.
Questions? Email program director Dr. Joseph Sowa at joseph@composersschool.com