National Young Composers Challenge Composium

Meet the next generation of composers! Composers ages 13 to 18 are selected from a national competition to have their original pieces performed and recorded by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

The day has two parts: chamber music and full orchestra. In the first session, the winning chamber ensemble compositions are performed by musicians from the UCF School of Performing Arts. Each composer is interviewed by Maestro Wilkins and comments are given by the judges and musicians. During the second half of the day, the orchestral compositions are reviewed. The audience hears an audio excerpt from the young composer’s computer-generated MIDI score, then the composition is rehearsed by the orchestra, giving the composer an opportunity to interact with Maestro Wilkins, the orchestra musicians and the judges. Each session ends with a full recorded performance of the composition.

Doors will be kept open during the event so that patrons can come to be inspired by your favorite young composer or stay for this entire amazing event. After the performance, everyone is invited to share refreshments and mingle with musicians, judges, the composers and their families, and of course Maestro Wilkins.