WNMF COMPOSERS INSTITUTE

Writing for orchestra is one of the great accomplishments of a composer’s creative life. There are, however, few opportunities for Canadians in the early stages of their careers to engage with the medium in a practical, hands-on environment. The symphony orchestra presents many challenges, including effectively balancing the orchestra’s many instruments and communicating clearly with the conductor, musicians, and audience.

The WNMF Composers Institute provides a unique professional training opportunity for young composers, who will be immersed in the orchestral world through mentorship by some of Canada’s leading orchestral composers and through close integration with the renowned Winnipeg New Music Festival.

Emerging composers from across Canada were selected to participate in the 2023 WNMF Composers Institute. These composers, from across the nation, will have their orchestral works premiered by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as part of WNMF 2023.

In collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre, the winner of the CMC Prairie Region Emerging Composer Competition will also participate in the WNMF Composers Institute and will have their work performed. The participants will experience the week-long Winnipeg New Music Festival from behind the scenes, attending rehearsals and concerts. In addition, professional development workshops will be held throughout the festival, led by WSO’s Composer-in-Residence Harry Stafylakis and the 2023 Composers Institute mentor composers, Kelly-Marie Murphy and Eliot Britton. Panels, workshops, lessons, and masterclasses will also feature several of WNMF’s guest composers visiting from throughout Canada and abroad.

The composers selected to have their pieces premiered at the 2023 Winnipeg New Music Festival and to participate in the 2023 WNMF Composers Institute and are:

Rebecca Adams – Lion’s Den

Nolan Hildebrand – ArtDiesSoundsRepeat

Eliazer Kramer – Fantasy for Orchestra

Jessica MacIsaac – Thirteen Liam Ritz – Kaleidoscope

Darren Xu – To Liberate

Also participating in the 2023 Composers Institute are the winners of the Canadian Music Centre (CMC) Prairie Region and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s 2021 and 2022 Emerging Composer Competition.

Gregory Parth – Teutoburg (2023 Winner)

Thomas Joiner – Dawn (2022 Winner)

Isaac Zee – Day of Judgement (2021 Winner)

The Canadian Music Centre, Prairie Region Emerging Composers Competition is an annual competition for emerging composers with a connection to Canada’s Prairie Region with a cash prize of $1,000 and performance by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra during the Winnipeg New Music Festival. 2023 marks the 20th annual edition of the Competition.