Events

Annual Mostly Modern pizza party! Directly outside of Zankel Music Center.

Annual Concerto Competition. Please note that any participant performers may sign up to perform for faculty, but the competition is otherwise closed to participants. Sign up here: https://mostlymodernfestival.org/concerto-competition/

Meet violinist Victoria Paterson, Executive Director, and composer Robert Paterson, Artistic Director, in a conversation that spans their careers as professional musicians and how these experiences led to the founding of the Mostly Modern Festival and Mostly Modern Projects. They will discuss topics such as what it entails to start a not-for-profit organization, fundraising, what they look...

Seminar with producer and recording engineer Jim Mastrianni, who will discuss his career and recording projects. The first hour will be in ELM; the second hour will be a trip to Jim's home studio, just down Broadway from Skidmore.

Join acclaimed conductor and educator José Daniel Flores-Caraballo for an inspiring seminar exploring his remarkable career in choral and orchestral music. As Artistic Director of Albany Pro Musica, Conductor-In-Residence at the University at Albany, and Chorus Director for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Dr. Flores-Caraballo will share insights on conducting, leadership, rehearsal technique, musical excellence,...

Piano Improvisation Workshop 1: Approaches, Styles, and the Composition-Improvisation Continuum.  Both workshops will include elements of everything from Baroque to jazz and “free” improvisation, and explore the fluidity between the realms of pre-meditated composition and more spontaneous improvisation. No previous improvisation experience required! Workshop 1 will explore Louis Couperin unmeasured preludes, improvising on works of J.S. Bach, classical idioms, and florid romantic improvisation.

Masterclass and Q&A session with Zachary De Pue, concertmaster of the Naples Philharmonic and first violinist of The Indianapolis Quartet.

Seminar with composer and educator Stephen Cabell, whose distinctive music blends orchestral, chamber, electronic, and multimedia influences into a bold contemporary voice. A recipient of honors including the Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the Joseph H. Bearns Prize in Music, Cabell’s works have been performed by leading ensembles and orchestras across the country. In...

Opening Week Celebration Party at the Patersons' house! Open to faculty, staff, institute participants, and VIP Season Pass holders only.

Join celebrated conductor David Amado for a dynamic seminar on conducting, leadership, and building a career in today’s orchestral world. Music Director of the Mostly Modern Orchestra and the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Amado has also led the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many of North America’s major orchestras. Drawing on decades of experience, he...

Led by Percussion faculty member Matt Ward and MMF Artistic Director Robert Paterson. This seminar will explore the basics of writing for percussion, extended techniques, and is an opportunity for composers and anyone else curious about percussion to ask questions about these instruments and how to compose effectively for them. This seminar is open to...

Professional development seminar with Deirdre Chadwick, Executive Director, Creative, Classical Music, New York, for BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.). Deirdre will give a performing rights organization overview (how the contracts work, what the assignment is); a short discussion of neighboring rights (mechanicals, grand rights & installations, sync, etc.); self-publishing; international performances and split-territory agreements; and commissions and contracts;...

Professional development seminar with Tiffany Soricelli, founder of Virtuoso Advising for Artists. Open to Institute participants only. “Tiffany gives great, ‘no-nonsense’ advice about saving, planning, and investing in your financial future. We are looking forward to having her back every year!" — Darren K. Woods “This program needs to be in every Young Artists program...

Improvisation Workshop 2: Approaches, Styles, and the Composition-Improvisation Continuum (90 minutes) Both workshops will include elements of everything from Baroque to jazz and “free” improvisation, and explore the fluidity between the realms of pre-meditated composition and more spontaneous improvisation. No previous improvisation experience required! Workshop 2 will delve into the blues, jazz improvisation, modal improvisation,...

Seminar with award-winning American composer Robert Paterson, whose vibrant and wide-ranging music has been performed by leading orchestras, choirs, and ensembles across the United States and internationally. Named Composer of the Year by the Classical Recording Foundation at Carnegie Hall, Paterson is known for music that blends emotional depth, rhythmic energy, elegance, and wit. In...

Seminar with five-time Emmy Award-winning composer Jeff Beal, one of today’s most celebrated voices in film, television, and concert music. Known for acclaimed scores including House of Cards, The Newsroom, Blackfish, and Monk, Beal brings a uniquely versatile perspective shaped by careers in composition, conducting, jazz, and orchestral music. In this inspiring seminar, he will...

Guest lecture with Bill Holab, of Bill Holab Music. Bill will discuss a range of topics, including music publishing, copyright, music notation, and other relevant topics.

Led by Joseph Rebman, Principal Harpist of the Kentucky Symphony, Huntington Symphony (WV) and the Queen City Opera (OH).

Annual MMF Celebration Party at the Surrey-Williamson Inn at Skidmore College. Open to faculty, staff, institute participants, and VIP Season Pass holders only.

Masterclass with the internationally acclaimed Euclid Quartet, one of today’s most celebrated chamber ensembles. Known for performances of exceptional artistry, precision, and energy, the quartet has appeared at major venues and festivals across North America and earned global recognition as the first American string quartet to win a top prize at the Osaka International Chamber...

Seminar with acclaimed composer and educator Roshanne Etezady, whose music has been performed by leading ensembles including eighth blackbird, the Albany Symphony, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. Drawing inspiration from contemporary classical music, popular culture, and a wide range of musical influences, Etezady will discuss composition, creativity, artistic identity, and developing a personal musical voice....

Flutist Lindsey Goodman presents “Flute Forward", a modern perspective on writing for flute, discussing notation, extended techniques, and practical tips. This useful guided tour of the 21st-century flutist’s tool kit includes repertoire examples and resources which will assist composers and flutists in collaborating on their next projects.

Join acclaimed conductor Aram Demirjian for an inspiring seminar on artistic leadership, orchestral programming, and building a modern conducting career. Winner of the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award and Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Demirjian is celebrated for his dynamic podium presence, imaginative programming, and passionate advocacy for contemporary and American music. Drawing...

Guest Lecture: Daniel Spreadbury, Product Marketing Manager from Steinberg's Dorico music notation program, will discuss recent developments and possibilities that come with this next-generation scoring application during a virtual demonstration.

Led by Steven Beck, this seminar explores how to adapt an efficient method for learning sometimes very difficult piano scores quickly, which can be accomplished via techniques of segmentation, "tempo testing," and well-developed sight-reading facility.

With over 100 million views across over 1,000 posts, MMF Horn Faculty member Scott Leger has created an online audience of over 150,000 followers. This class will cover the basics of recording audio and video, as well as guidance on using social media to enhance a career in classical music.  

Seminar with Grammy-nominated composer Jonathan Newman, whose vibrant and genre-blending music combines classical traditions with influences from jazz, pop, funk, folk, and rock. Known for works ranging from orchestral and chamber music to opera and multimedia collaborations, Newman has received performances by leading ensembles worldwide, including the Minnesota Orchestra and the BBC Proms. In this...

All participants are welcome to watch and attend.