Missouri Summer Composition Institute
The Missouri Summer Composition Institute (June 6-13, 2026) is an exciting opportunity for selected Missouri-based young composers to come together for one week of learning and interacting with other creative minds. The deadline for applications is Sunday, April 26 at 11:59 pm. Participation for all accepted students is FREE.
The Institute is open to students entering grades 9-12 or their first year of college. Up to 20 composers will be selected to participate—writing brand new works to be workshopped, performed, and recorded by an ensemble of professional musicians. Students may focus in classical/notated music or popular genres.
We're excited to offer this camp in-person! Accepted students can expect high-quality instruction and a face-to- face experience with our faculty, as well as presentations, workshops, and a performance/recording by renowned musicians from a professional ensemble who will bring their compositions to life.
Participants will receive composition lessons from MU faculty and compose a piece to be premiered at the end of the week. In addition to working with MU music composition faculty members, including Dr. Stefan Freund, Dr. Bonnie McLarty and Dr. Frank Nawrot will lead sections in songwriting and popular genres!
The only *free* summer program for high school composers!
- live and learn on Mizzou's campus
- take lessons from esteemed faculty
- craft a totally new music composition
- hear it performed by a professional ensemble!
Activities include:
- Daily Notation, Instrumentation, and Repertoire Courses: Students will meet together at the Sinquefield Music Center each day for courses in notation, repertoire, and instrumentation, taught by MU’s world-class music composition faculty.
- Daily Private Composition Lessons: Each student will have daily one-on-one meetings with their composition instructor to get feedback on their works-in-progress.
- Workshops with Members of a Professional Ensemble: Professional musicians will host workshops demonstrating tips and tricks for instrumental writing, leading up to rehearsals and performances of each new composition to be premiered in concert on the final day of camp.
- Chamber Music Rehearsals: Students will attend rehearsals of their new piece, provide feedback, and learn how a professional ensemble approaches a new work, from rehearsal to a polished performance.
- Evening Activities: Our camp staff will provide fun group activities each evening.
- Lodging and Meals: Meals will be provided by the Mizzou Campus Dining Center. Housing for seven nights will be provided by Residential Life in University Housing.
Participation, accommodations, and a meal plan for the duration of the camp for all accepted students will be absolutely FREE thanks to the generosity of the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation.
For more information, contact Associate Director Tiffany Skidmore, tiffanymskidmore@missouri.edu.
2026 Dates: June 6-13
Tuition: FREE
Application Open: November 1, 2025
Deadline: April 26, 2026
Notification Date: May 4, 2026
2026 Summer Dates:
June 6-13, 2026
Apply: November 1, 2025 - April 26, 2026
Notification: May 4, 2026