Composition Program

Fellowship & Scholarships available

Festival dates: June 2-21, 2025

Early Deadline: December 1
Regular Deadline: January 15
Late Deadline: February 1

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for a complete admissions timeline.

TUITION INCLUDES:

MMF Institute—

  • Chamber Ensemble Performances: up to 30 composers will receive professional chamber ensemble performances by either the American Modern Ensemble (AME), one of the Guest Ensembles, a non-dramatic piece for a single vocalist (one of the vocal participants) and piano, or a dramatic vocal work as part of our Modern Vocal Projects program for up to three singers and a chamber ensemble (up to six instrumentalists). Pieces may not exceed 8 minutes in performance duration.

  • Dramatic Vocal Work: up to four composers will be chosen to compose a dramatic vocal work as part of our Modern Vocal Projects program. Instrumentation for instrumentalists will be modeled after American Modern Ensemble instrumentation guidelines, and further guidelines and faculty for each season may be found on the Modern Vocal Projects page. Singers and instrumental ensembles will consist of MMF fellows, participants, and occasional faculty. Composers may use a combination of different voices. Please note that we typically have many sopranos, a couple of mezzos, and a couple of low voices, but we won't know the exact voice types until later in the spring. Composers may either write their own libretto, use a pre-existing text in the public domain, use a text they have written permission to use, or work with each season’s pre-selected librettist.

  • Orchestral Reading: Up to 15 composers will have the opportunity to receive an orchestral reading with the Mostly Modern Orchestra (MMO) or a piece (or excerpt or movement from a larger work) that is up to 7 minutes. Composers who participate in the orchestral readings receive unedited audio recordings (no video) of their readings (editing available for an additional fee). Two composers are chosen for an orchestral performance of their work with MMO. More information on the readings is available here. Pieces may not exceed 8 minutes in performance duration.

  • All composers receive rehearsals of their chamber works, a dress rehearsal, and a performance.

  • Composers receive an archival audio WAV file and a link to a three-camera-shot video of their chamber work via the Mostly Modern Projects YouTube channel and an archival audio WAV file of their orchestral reading (if you have a reading).

  • All-access pass to everything at the festival.

  • Private lessons/meetings with the Composition Faculty. Meetings/lessons are generally taught in pairs with two composition participants per 55-minute slot. Additional meetings/lessons are available at the discretion of the composition faculty.

  • Welcome Party, Opening and Closing night parties!

Room And Board (Full Session)—

Scholarships, Work Study, and Resident Advisor (RA) positions are available. All three options may be selected during the application process.

FULL SESSION
Tuition: $5,985

Fellowship & Scholarships available

ONE-WEEK SESSION*
up to 4 participants Only
Tuition: $3,500

Application Fee (non-refundable)
Early Deadline: $75.00
Priority Deadline: $95.00
Late Deadline: $135.00

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for further information, application deadline dates, and for answers to questions not covered here.

*If accepted into the program, composers attending for one week may choose which week they would like to attend. We strongly recommend composers attending for one week arrive and depart on a Monday (so Monday to Monday), if at all possible. We will work this out with each composer individually. IMPORTANT: composers can only write for an ensemble that is in residence when the composer is in attendance, and each composer must be present at rehearsals and the performance of their chamber piece; no exceptions and no refunds if the composer’s schedule changes. I.e., you can’t compose a piece for an ensemble that is only in-residence in Week 2 if you are only there in Week 1 since it is required that you attend rehearsals and the performance with your ensemble.

Also, note that composers who are scheduled to have orchestral readings must be in attendance for all three weeks.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page and the Composer’s Corner page for further information and for answers to questions not covered here.