The New York Youth Symphony’s Composition Program, offers student composers the opportunity to explore the world of composition and orchestration through seminars, individual tutorials, and workshops, plus reading sessions with professional musicians, and performances. Led by Director Dr. Kyle Blaha, the seminars explore the musical thought of a wide variety of composers, with a focus on instrumentation and orchestration. Examples are drawn from the vast classical repertoire and a range of musical traditions from throughout the world. Using tools such as study scores and orchestration books, the course aims to cultivate the students’ own voices through class discussion, written exercises, and free composition.
Each year, students compose new works for ensembles including string quartets, woodwind quintets, percussion trios, and more. Students then have opportunities to work directly with professional musicians to have these compositions workshopped, recorded, and performed, culminating in a final performance by members of the NYYS Orchestra, Chamber Music, Jazz, and Apprentice Conducting programs at the annual Composition concert on May 17, 2027 at National Sawdust.
Special thanks to ASCAP and NEA for their continued support of the Composition Program.
Launched in the 2025–26 season, NYYS CompLab is an exciting new collaboration between our composition, conducting, and orchestral programs.
At the heart of CompLab is a unique process of mentorship and exchange: performers, selected through competitive audition, work side by side with composers to workshop new pieces, providing real-time feedback and insight into balance, technique, and instrumental color. This dialogue enables composers to refine their works in a living laboratory, rather than waiting until a final rehearsal, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of both craft and performance.
Student conductors from the Robert L. Poster Conducting Program lead rehearsals, developing their skills in communication and leadership while being guided by Music Director Andrew Kim, Composition Program Director Dr. Kyle Blaha, and other members of the NYYS artistic staff.
All participating students receive a small stipend in recognition of their time and commitment.
The project culminates in a public performance at National Sawdust, where the collaborative process is brought to the stage by an ensemble formed in the tradition of a Pierrot + Percussion group.
NYYS keeps my composing spark going. It has been the most inspiring, grounding force, as well as a comfortable space where I could adjust my attention purely to music creation, learning, discussion, and collaboration.
Haeon Lee
Through NYYS Composition, I gained more expertise so that I can expand my practical toolbox when composing.
Alex Robertson
I really enjoyed working with all the musicians and it was a very informative experience. I learned a lot!
Sophia Kunxu Dou
Donate today and help support our students continue their journey and become a part of our community of musicians and change the landscape of what the musical world look like today.
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