Composition Symposium
Composition Symposium Overview
The UMKC Conservatory Composition Symposium is June 21-25, 2026.
A week-long intensive composition workshop for college- and graduate-student-age composers. Composers selected for the workshop will write works for American Wild Ensemble. Each day will feature reading sessions and masterclasses on notation, composition, instrumentation, and other related topics, culminating in a final performance of students’ works, which will be recorded. Students will study with internationally renowned composers Chen Yi, Paul Rudy, and additional special guests.
Symposium Faculty and Clinicians
Paul Rudy
UMKC Conservatory Curators' Distinguished Professor of Music Composition
Chen Yi
UMKC Conservatory Lorena Searcy Cravens/ Millsap/ Missouri Distinguished Professor of Composition
Ensemble in Residence: The American Wild Ensemble
Schedule
Our general schedule is available below. A detailed schedule will be emailed after registration closes.
June 21, 2026
3:00pm-3:30pm: Program Check-In
3:30pm-4:00pm: Welcome Meeting
4:00pm-6:00pm Reading/Coaching Session
6:15pm: Optional Social Time (various local restaurants)
June 22-24, 2026
9:30am-10:15am: Special Topics
10:30am-12:30pm: Rehearsal Session
12:30pm-2:00pm: Break for Lunch
2:00pm-2:45pm: Special Topics
3:00pm-5:00pm: Rehearsal Session/Special Topics
5:00pm-5:30pm: Closing Session
6:15pm: Optional Social Time (various local restaurants)
June 25, 2026
9:30am-10:15am: Special Topics
10:30am-12:30pm: Rehearsal Session
12:30pm-2:00pm: Break for Lunch
2:00pm-2:45pm: Special Topics
3:00pm-5:00pm: Rehearsal Session
5:00pm-5:30pm: Closing Session
7:00pm: Final Concert
Tuition and Fees
Tuition includes all classes, all scheduled events during the workshop. Please note that this fee does not include overnight housing or meals. Meals and on-campus housing are not available for this event.
Registration Fees
Symposium Application: FREE (suggested submission by Thursday, May 1)
Participant Registration Fee: $650 (deadline Friday, April 10)
Participant Standard Registration Fee: $750 (deadline Friday, May 31)
Auditor Early Bird Registration Fee: $400 (deadline Friday, April 10)
Auditor Registration Fee: $500 (deadline Friday, May 31)
Registration
If accepted, participants will be emailed a link allowing them to register online. Hard-copy forms are available upon request by emailing.
Registration and payment must be received by May 31, 2026.
On campus housing is available and highly recommended because of the World Cup events happening in Kansas City during the week of the symposium.