2025 Orchestral Composition Intensive

Dr. Joseph Sowa
Composer, Founder of the Wizarding School for Composers

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The Wizarding School for Composers will be selecting 4 composers for an Orchestral Composition Intensive led by composer Dr. Joseph Sowa. Composers of all ages, skill levels, and nationalities, writing in any style, are invited to apply.

In the intensive, you will have the opportunity to write an original 4–6’ piece for the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, whose credits include projects for Disney, Lucasfilm, Netflix, and others.

The orchestra consists of 61 players, including 2(II=picc).2(II=Cor.A).2(II=B.Cl.).2 –4.2.3.1–timp+2 perc.–12.10.8.6.4.

The recording session will be filmed with a 2-camera setup. 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.

Before the session, you may also choose to participate in 3 personalized feedback masterclass sessions from world-class musicians, including:

  1. Melinda Wagner (Head of composition at Juilliard)

  2. Darrell Brown (Composer and conductor at Georgia Southern University, commissioner of 70+ new works for wind symphony, who’ll also be conducting your piece in Budapest)

  3. David MacDonald (Notation expert, Scoring Notes podcast co-host, and frequent panelist at international orchestral librarian conferences)

Those hoping to hone their orchestration and composition skills may also choose to enroll in the Artistic Growth Incubator, Dr. Sowa’s live online composition studio. During May and June, students will take a deep dive into instrumentation, arranging, and score prep through group lectures, score study sessions, and plus up to 4 private lessons with Dr. Sowa.

Apply To The

Intensive

Application Process:

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025.

Enrollment: Applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning April 14, 2025, until the 4 slots are filled

Featured Guests

Melinda Wagner
Composer, Pulitzer Prize Winner
The Juilliard School

Darrell Brown
Conductor and Composer
Georgia Southern University

David MacDonald
Composer and Co-Host, Scoring Notes podcast
Wichita State University

Christian Amonson
Co-Producer and Recording Engineer
Thornton School of Music (USC)

Details at a Glance

Live Online Training and Masterclasses:

  • 1 private composition lesson with Dr. Joseph Sowa

  • 3 personalized feedback masterclass sessions with Melinda Wagner, Darrell Brown, and David MacDonald

  • (Optional): 2 months of comprehensive live group composition program (“Artistic Growth Incubator”), including weekly group orchestration workshops, score study, office hours, plus 4 private lessons

Recording Session Dates/Location:

  • July 16, 2025

  • Budapest Scoring Orchestra in Rottenbiller Hall (Budapest, Hungary)

  • Attend live or remote in real-time

Deliverables:

  • The camera footage

  • The raw ProTools session

  • The final mix at 24-bit/96kHz

  • All of the above delivered by September 30, 2025

Participation Fees:

  • Pro rate, full session (1 hour recording time ≈ 4–6’ piece): $3,150

  • Pro rate, half session (30 min recording time ≈ 2–3’ piece): $1,575

  • Student rate, full session (1 hour): $2,835 (10% discount)

  • Student rate, half session (30 min): $1,418 (10% discount)

  • 2 month enrollment in the Artistic Growth Incubator (live online orchestration study intensive): add $750

Listen To Recordings From Previous Years

Ready to Submit Your Application?

Application Process:

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025.

Enrollment: Applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis beginning April 14, 2025, until the 4 slots are filled

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The sessions will be held live in Budapest. Participants may attend in-person or virtually via Zoom/Audiomovers. Transportation to Budapest and lodging are no included in the participation fee.

  • Additional players may be added to the orchestra at a rate of $97 per player, in consultation with Dr. Sowa.

  • Yes, composers who have little orchestral experience will be considered to participate, provided they enroll in the orchestration course.

  • Founded and let by Dr. Joseph Sowa, the Artistic Growth Incubator is a comprehensive online training program for emerging composers who want to grow their composing and career skills so that they can secure at least one new commission or performance every month—and do it with confidence.

    Each month, the incubator focuses on a different skill- or career-building topic. May and June are specially focused to help you write your orchestral piece.

    May: Introduction to Orchestral Textures

    Study the 10 basic orchestral textures, with special focus on monophony, choral writing, and melody-accompaniment relationships.

    June: Adding Color and Nuance With Orchestral Devices

    Master 12 specific orchestration devices that add professional polish to your orchestral writing, following techniques of master composers.

    Learn about the other month’s topics and more about the incubator here.

  • Here are 3 options that can help his be more financially affordable:

    1) You may choose to pay using a payment plan that divides the fee into 4 monthly payments.

    2) You can write a shorter piece. Half sessions (good for a 2-3’ piece) are available at the following rates:

    - Pro rate, half session (30 min): $1,575

    - Student rate, half session (30 min): $1,418

    3) Many universities and conservatories provide funds for student participation in summer festivals. Ask your department chair if you can get part or all of the expenses covered.

  • Email program director Dr. Joseph Sowa at joseph@composersschool.com