a short History
Junior Composers Summer Programs was founded in 2001 as the Junior Composers Institute or JCI. A few intrepid piano teacher-members of the National Federation of Music Clubs (including Gloria Lien, Dawn Lawrence, Kathy Bina, Karen Bourne, Carolyn Nelson, Sharon Wesbrook, Odee Maier and Carole Flatau) created a seven-state region-wide music project that would enrich and engage their piano students. Now, 20+ years later, we continue to receive operating and scholarship support from the hundreds of local music clubs in the North Central Region of the NFMC (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin).
As JCI's enrollment grew, the program added a two-week Junior Composers Studio (JCS) which featured an artist in-residence, a professional reading ensemble and more intensive analysis of contemporary repertoire. In tandem with the Institute (JCI), enrollment grew to 30+ every summer. Featured artists included composers Dominick Argento, Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, Frank Felice, Richard Werbowenko, Richard Marriott; conductors Philip Brunelle, Bill Eddins, Jordan Sramek, Stephen Ramsey, Jay Fishman; singer Maria Jette; ensembles like the Rose Ensemble, VocalEssence, Minnesota Sinfonia, Ensemble Chartreuse, members of the MacPhail Center for Music and many professional freelance musicians.
Various short-term initiatives have included a school-year Orchestra Workshop and a music composition pedagogy workshop for teachers.
It is in this spirit of innovation that Composers pivoted its 2020 summer programs to the Composers Online Institute (COI) to 100% online. We returned to in-person institutes in 2021.
As JCI's enrollment grew, the program added a two-week Junior Composers Studio (JCS) which featured an artist in-residence, a professional reading ensemble and more intensive analysis of contemporary repertoire. In tandem with the Institute (JCI), enrollment grew to 30+ every summer. Featured artists included composers Dominick Argento, Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, Frank Felice, Richard Werbowenko, Richard Marriott; conductors Philip Brunelle, Bill Eddins, Jordan Sramek, Stephen Ramsey, Jay Fishman; singer Maria Jette; ensembles like the Rose Ensemble, VocalEssence, Minnesota Sinfonia, Ensemble Chartreuse, members of the MacPhail Center for Music and many professional freelance musicians.
Various short-term initiatives have included a school-year Orchestra Workshop and a music composition pedagogy workshop for teachers.
It is in this spirit of innovation that Composers pivoted its 2020 summer programs to the Composers Online Institute (COI) to 100% online. We returned to in-person institutes in 2021.
We will add questions from you as we receive them.*
Answers, too.
Answers, too.
Financial Aid Questions |
Scholarship Facilitator Pat Steege answers. |
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When will I learn if I've received a scholarship?
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Answers to most questions about Scholarships will be found on our Registration pages. We have a panel reviewing requests based on need. You should hear from us shortly after completing your Registration.
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Will I need to show financial need?
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Financial need is one of the chief factors used to award scholarships but there are also other criteria based on merit, inclusion or accessibility. Click here to make a scholarship request; provide a short narrative explaining the amount needed and why.
Merit scholarships are funded by state chapters of the National Federation of Music Clubs for "member" students. These scholarships are based on rankings by each state. Here are details for more information. Although we do not require financial records or tax returns, we need a letter detailing the need for financial assistance. For more details, contact Pat Steege via email. Notification will be sent to you through email within two weeks. |
Time Management Questions |
Randall Davidson (COI Director) answers. |
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Will we get a calendar for COI that shows me when I will need to be online? What time of day will theory classes happen? How many group meetings will happen in a day?
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Please refer to the Schedule tab at the top of the website for all questions related to COI's schedule. (Ed.)
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When will I have time to compose music? How much music will I have to write?
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The first live group "Check-In" session will start at 10am CST on Saturday, November 28. Each day's schedule is slightly different.. Individual tutorials will be scheduled between composers and the Creative Faculty. Independent work time is of principal concern so live group sessions will be recorded and uploaded on the COI YouTube channel for independent viewing at a time that is convenient to you.
Budget your "composing time" to your schedule. COI has designed a schedule to provide optimal experiences in group sessions. It is up to you to participate in the sessions relevant to you. The Creative Faculty suggests you write at least a minute of music every day. How long that takes depends on each individual and the creative project you are creating.
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Creative Projects |
Composer Sarah Miller answers. |
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When will I get a recording of my piece(s)?
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Whether you're a songwriter or composer, recordings will be uploaded to the public COI YouTube channel on Sunday, December 6. Your master recording will be available on that day, as well, and will be uploaded to a cloud for you to access.
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Will I need to notate my song or composition?
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Yes. There are a number of notational systems: lead sheets, graphic notation and traditional five-line staves are all based on notation traditions that indicate tempo (fast-slow), dynamic (loud-soft), pitch or register (high-low), articulation (short-long), timbre (dark-bright), and texture (thick-thin). Songwriters & composers will all need to notate their music, whatever their genre. COI places a premium on literacy of all kinds.
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Can I write for a chamber ensemble or just solo pieces for the featured performers?
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You are welcome to compose for up to two of the Creative Faculty or our Featured Performers. They will take your music to a new level. You are also invited to collaborate with the other composers enrolled in the Institute or to involve other musicians in your community. If you want other instruments for your creative project, talk with the Creative Faculty to explore opportunities.
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How long will private lessons last?
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Individual tutorials will take place between you and the Creative Faculty two times during the Institute. The schedule will be negotiated. All tutorials will be recorded and uploaded on the private COI YouTube channel. These sessions should last between 15-30 minutes but will vary on daily circumstances. Additional sessions are possible for an additional cost of $25/tutorial
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Will instruments be assigned to me? Will a teacher be assigned to work with me? Will I be able to submit a teacher preference?
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You choose which instruments to use in your composing project. And yes, the Creative Faculty will be chosen for you after we have learned more about your interests and experience. And yes, your preference of composer will also help us find the best match for you.
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Can I start composing in advance of the Institute?
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We encourage songwriters & composers to create every day; it's what we do - we make things up! And yes, we expect many folks to have already sketched or imagined or even recorded before we start on November 28th. These early ideas are grist for the mill that will result in your finished project. Start your engines!!
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Technology Questions |
Songwriter Eric Radloff answers. |
For questions about technology and songwriting,
check out Eric's Song Blog..
check out Eric's Song Blog..
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What kind of DAW should I use?
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Any DAW will do. Garageband may be the DAW that is most widely available. There are many other DAWs out there and you can do a simple Google search to find at least a half dozen that are free.
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What is the online platform being used for my composing projects and and what are the system requirements?
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Tracks from one DAW can be shared on other DAW platforms. The system requirements vary based on what your computer is...but your tracks will be shared with your composer faculty member and they will be able to help everybody.
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What digital audio workstations (DAWs) are free...and which ones are good?
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Garageband (mentioned, above) is widely available but there are many choices that are free or low-cost. You can also look at Audacity, ProTools First, Cakewalk, CuBase LE, etc. It will be wise to become familiar with your DAW before COI. Advice: start early.
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Do I need to have a specific notation software? Do I have to buy any software or music/sound gear?
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Again, notation software ranges in price from $0 to $x,xxx. Basic functions are included in all notation platforms and professional software ranges in the hundreds of dollars. Again, there is free software that will be perfectly suitable for about 75% of the composers participating -- I would look for MuseScore notation software.
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