The Connecticut Youth Composers Collective
The Connecticut Youth Composers Collective
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Mission Statement
There are very few opportunities for young composers to have their work performed live by real instruments and ensembles. Our mission is to bring compositions to life with a program dedicated to inspiring musical creativity in young composers all across Connecticut. Inspired by the NowBeat Project, the program will consist of K-12 students submitting applications to our committee and selected applicants will be tasked with composing a short work for a selected ensemble. Throughout the program, they will have their drafts reviewed by current WCSU composition students and will receive feedback before submitting their final score to be rehearsed and performed by WCSU students in a final performance. The final performance will be a pay-what-you-wish charity fundraiser that will support local public CT music classrooms that are in need of extra funding.
We are currently looking to fill positions on our Leadership Committee and build a solid organization team to get the project on the ground and running by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Right now it is just an idea, but with your help we can make this passion project a reality. Read more about our phases model and committee positions and consider applying below! (This is a volunteer-run organization.)
The Phases Model (prospective goals)
Phase 1 – Build the Team
Phase 1 – Build the Team
Committee members will send out an open invitation to WCSU students looking for:
Performers
Composition mentors
Audio Club recording engineers
Event organizers and volunteers
This is the pre-planning phase. The committee will go through WCSU student mentor and performer applications and create a solid timeline that must be finalized before Open Applications are sent out.
Phase 2 – Open Applications
Phase 2 – Open Applications
Connecticut K–12 student composers will apply by submitting examples of their music. Selected students will be matched with an ensemble to write for and a WCSU student mentor. The goal for the committee is to select composers from various grade levels with varying experience and pair them with appropriate mentors.
Phase 3 – Compose & Mentor
Phase 3 – Compose & Mentor
Student composers will spend several weeks writing a new piece while receiving guidance from a WCSU composition student mentor through progress check-ins. This phase will hopefully feature a Master Class session via Zoom or in-person with a WCSU faculty member or any seasoned professional willing to donate their time and knowledge to the project.
Phase 4 – Rehearse & Record
Phase 4 – Rehearse & Record
After final scores are submitted, WCSU ensembles will rehearse each new composition, and the WCSU Audio Club will professionally record them. These recordings will be compiled into a collaborative album to celebrate the project and support our fundraising efforts. CDs will hopefully be sold at the final performance with the proceeds going towards our main fundraising goal.
Phase 5 – Concert & Fundraiser
Phase 5 – Concert & Fundraiser
The program will conclude with a public concert featuring the world premieres of each student composition. Admission will be pay-what-you-wish, recordings will be available for purchase, and all proceeds will be donated to Connecticut public school music programs in need of additional funding for instruments, repairs, sheet music, classroom supplies, etc.
Join the Leadership Committee!
We are currently looking to form a core Leadership Committee (7–8 members) to help build and run this project from the ground up. Committee members will lead different phases of the program and may bring on additional volunteers as needed. This project is volunteer-run but requires a lot of planning and organization to get started. Nothing is set in stone yet, meaning new ideas for the project are welcome and encouraged by prospective committee members. Our goal is to be able to get this project going for the 2026-2027 school year, with a final performance date in Spring 2027.
Who Can Apply
Must be a WCSU student
Must be willing to commit to the full duration of the project even if their specific duties aren't needed at a certain time
Strong organization and communication skills required
Be a team player and able to bring new creative ideas to the table
Passion for music education and community impact strongly encouraged
Committee Positions
Co-Program Director
Leads overall vision and execution of the program:
Oversees the organizing committee
Ensures all phases of the project are completed timely and effectivley to the standards of our mission statement
Has final say on application decisions
Maintains creative and administrative direction of the program
(You will serve in this role alongside co-director and founder Max Abarientos.)
Treasurer
Responsible for all financial aspects of the project, including:
Managing payments and donations
Budget planning and expense tracking
Ensuring the project remains financially sustainable
Overseeing distribution of funds to local, public, CT music classrooms after the conclusion of the final performance
Social Chair
Leads outreach and promotion of the project:
Creates and manages social media content
Promotes applications to K–12 students across Connecticut
Communicates with local businesses to help sponsor the final performance
Works with leadership to promote the final performance
Helps develop livestreaming or online fundraising efforts
Performance Coordinator
Manages all aspects of the final concert:
Secures venue, date, and performance logistics
Organizes program order and set list
Coordinates performer needs and stage setup
Communicates with performers, audio team, and organizers
Ensures smooth execution of the live event
Audio Coordinator
Oversees all recording and audio production:
Works with WCSU performers and Audio Club members
Manages recording sessions and production schedule
Organizes CD production and distribution
Works with Performance Coordinator during the live concert to ensure quality audio capture
Audio Club members are encouraged to apply, but active membership in Audio Club is not required
Applicant Coordinators (2 positions)
Program Participant Coordinator (K–12 composers)
Reviews composer applications
Works with WCSU Participant Coordinator to create and assign ensembles to program participants
Coordinates composer/mentor pairings and communication
WCSU Participant Coordinator
Organizes WCSU performer applications
Assigns ensembles based on instrumentation and availability
Schedules rehearsals and manages ensemble logistics
Committee Structure
The Leadership Committee will consist of a small core leadership team responsible for running the entire project. Each member will oversee their own sub-committees but may also recruit volunteers to assist with specific tasks as needed.
Apply to Join!
If you're interested in helping build this project from the ground up and being part of something that supports young composers and music education across Connecticut, we highly encourage you to apply.
Click here to apply or apply below https://forms.gle/k2WRLquu9xF3vRd66
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