founder - composition program

New York Youth Symphony

Derek Bermel is the founder of the New York Youth Symphony’s Making Score, now called the Composition Program. The program, now run by Dr. Kyle Blaha, allows young composers to attend tutorials, workshops, and seminars with distinguished composers, and receive reading sessions and performances by professional musicians. Musical examples are drawn from both the classical tradition and musical traditions from around the world, with the aim of helping students develop their unique compositional voices through composition exercises and free writing. Student compositions workshopped throughout the season, culminating in a final performance by members of the NYYS Orchestra, Chamber Music, Jazz, and Apprentice Conducting programs at the annual Composition Date concert.

Recent guest composers have included Angélica Negrón, Caroline Shaw, Du Yun, Christopher Rouse, John Harbison, Julia Wolfe, Melinda Wagner, John Corigliano, Maria Schneider, Stephen Sondheim, Nico Muhly, and Michael Torke.

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