Thank you for your interest in the New York Youth Symphony's First Music Program! Unfortunately, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2023/24 season. Please check back in October 2023 for the 2024/25 season application.
The most impressive record for championing new music of any ensemble in the United States.
The New York Times
First Music, the New York Youth Symphony’s young composer competition, commissions America’s best emerging orchestra, chamber music, and jazz composers under the age of 30. It has been acknowledged widely as one of the leading forces in the United States for bringing the work of gifted young composers to the public’s attention. Seven awards are given each season for orchestral, jazz, and chamber music compositions.
According to Symphony Magazine, “During the last two decades, no youth orchestra in the country has been more relentlessly committed to generating new music.” The NYYS is proud to have commissioned over 160 original works for orchestra, chamber music, and jazz through First Music since 1984, all of which have been premiered by NYYS ensembles at venues including Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center. First Music commissions have been awarded to Aaron J. Kernis, David Lang, Kevin Puts, Julia Wolfe, Michael Torke, and Timo Andres, among others. We are proud that First Music composers have been recognized with 12 Rome Prizes, 16 Guggenheim Fellowships, two Grawemeyer Awards, and four Pulitzer Prizes.
Grammy-nominated composer Christopher Theofanidis is chair of the First Music Advisory Committee for orchestra and chamber music. Arturo O’Farrill, pianist, composer, educator, and founder and Artistic Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, chairs the advisory committee for jazz.
One composer will be awarded a commission of $3,000, with premieres in Carnegie Hall and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Two additional composers will be awarded commissions of $1,500 each and premières at Carnegie Hall. The commissioned works must be previously unpublished and unperformed.
One composer will be awarded a commission of $2,000, with a premiere at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and Interlochen Center for the Arts. The director of the Chamber Music Program in conjunction with the awardee will determine the instrumentation of the commissioned piece. The commissioned work must be previously unpublished and unperformed.
One composer will be awarded a commission of $2,000, with premieres in New York City and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Two additional composers will be awarded commissions of $1,000 each with premieres at Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center. The commissioned works must be previously unpublished and unperformed.
To qualify for the 2023-24 Season, First Music Commission applicants must be under the age of 30 on December 18, 2022 and be able to provide the following materials:
Please note: Previous awardees of a First Music commission are not eligible to apply again.
Commissioned composers play an integral role in helping the organization to fulfill its mission to educate and inspire young musicians. The composition itself serves as the basis for myriad interactions for the composer with the New York Youth Symphony stakeholders, including the artistic and administrative staff, the students, and the audience.
Composers meet with the music directors to discuss various technical and musical aspects of their piece in order to help the directors get the most out of rehearsals with the NYYS ensemble performing the work.
The NYYS mission is to educate and inspire young musicians. Composers will speak directly to members of the ensemble performing their work about the inspiration for and meaning of their piece. This is a unique opportunity for NYYS students to experience a "teaching moment" from contemporary composers and learn from their insights. It also helps composers achieve their artistic vision for the premier performance of their work.
These notes are a meaningful component of the commission, and will guide the composer's collaboration with the music directors, direct interaction with students, and the program notes that audience members will read.
Download Comissions
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.
DonateExperience all the hard work, practice and rehearsals that our students take on and show up to see them perform at one of our many concerts throughout the season.
Get TicketsTake the plunge and give yourself an opportunity to become a part of our amazing community of musicians, songwriters, composers and conductors.
Enroll Today
