Composition Intensive for Developing Composers
at New England Music Camp
July 29 - August 12, 2024
The 2024 Snow Pond Composition Intensive invites talented young composers between the ages of 14 and 20 years to partake in a 2-week long program that offers innovative opportunities to hone fundamental composition skills in a creative, collaborative environment fostered by renown composition faculty.
The Composition Intensive draws from the expertise of chamber music, jazz, and musical theater faculty to provide participants with a broad and diverse range of musical experiences.
Composers in the early stages of their creative journeys will be able to:
- Receive feedback from chamber music and composition faculty during rehearsals of their own works
- Explore different approaches to conveying your musical ideas such as choice-base composition (CBC), group improvisation, and Soundpainting
- Collaborate creatively with participants of the Chamber Music Intensive towards the creation of short chamber works
- Cultivate awareness of different sound environments through listening sessions.
- Attend music composition workshops and seminars lead by renowned faculty:
- Writing idiomatically for strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion
- Score preparation and presentation
- Composing in the style of The American Song Book
The program culminates with a public performance of the creative collaborations and a professional recording by the Snow Pond faculty ensemble of the compositions created especially for the Composition Intensive.
Cost:
- $3,900 ($3,500 base tuition + $400 recording)
*If a student wants to do both NEMC core camp & the Composition Intensive their cost would be as follows:
- $9,600 ($800 savings)
*Financial Aid is available!
Admission and Audition Process:
- Complete Online Application HERE including:
- Two or three original scores (PDFs) and accompanying recordings (MIDI acceptable, submitted as an MP3 or weblink)
- A short video explaining what excites the camper most about this particular program and how it can make a difference for them at this point in their studies (2 minutes max), and
- A one-page description of previous musical experiences (previous experience as a performer, pieces composed (at least 2), teachers, performances of works, camps/festivals).
- $100 non-refundable application fee
- All materials will be sent to faculty for review.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please note, the $500 deposit will be due upon admission to the program.
Eligibility:
- High School students age 14-20 with composition experience.
- Students should have their own scores and recordings/MIDI of at least two (2) previous works
2024 Faculty:
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Emily Guarino is an active cello performer and private cello teacher in the Central New York region. She is also a middle school orchestra director in the North Syracuse Central School District. She serves as her school’s Music Department Chairperson and recently took on the role of co-director for the spring musical production.
Admission and Audition Process
Admission Process:
- Register online, submit audition videos and deposit, using Acceptd.
- Upon receiving all application materials, the NEMC Registrar and Prelude Coordinator will be in touch regarding admissions.
- All applicants are accepted! Playing samples will allow the conductor to choose repertoire for the session.
- Repertoire for the session will be sent to families in June for students to prepare before arrival at camp.
Audition Requirements:
- One piece that showcases the student's playing level
- 1, 2, or 3 octave scale of the musician's choice
- Video should include view of head and face, left and right hands
Admission will be on a rolling basis.
Admission and Audition Process:
1. Complete Online Registration, submit two solo videos from the classical repertoire, upload videos of the attached excerpts (click here) at the recommended tempi, provide teacher information for recommendation and pay the $75 non-refundable application fee. Apply HERE.
2. Once the application and fee have been processed and the teacher recommendation has been received, NEMC Registrar, Bethany Niedbala, will email the next steps.
3. All materials will be sent to faculty for review.
4. Deadline for applications is May 31. Students will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis. Please note, the $500 deposit will be due upon admission to the program. As of March 15, the Violin & Cello Studios are CLOSED! Space still remains for all other eligible instrumentation.
To inquire, email
Faculty-selected repertoire will be distributed prior to camp for admitted campers. Students who are not offered a position will have any tuition refunded (less the application fee).
Music Program
Instrumentalists and vocalists at New England Music Camp spend their mornings in four one-hour periods of music taught by a prestigious faculty of professional performers and educators from universities, colleges, and highly recognized public and private school music programs. A 4:1 faculty to student ratio provides an environment rich in sharing and learning. Students and their teachers at home often remark that “one summer of music at NEMC is like a year at home”!
Campers at New England Music Camp design their own schedules, choosing from a wide range of classes. The weekly schedule includes two one half-hour private lessons, with the option to add additional lesson time, and participation in one or more of the major performing groups. Public performances take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm at our outdoor amphitheater, the Bowl-in-the-Pines.
NEMC Employment
Snow Pond Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Snow Pond Center for the Arts makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
Faculty
Faculty members at New England Music Camp are carefully chosen for both their achievements as professional performers and their recognition for excellence in teaching. We live in a close knit community where we dine family style and many of our faculty enjoy joining the campers on the recreation fields.
Click on the appropriate department below to read faculty bios.
Music Lessons