Composing For The Future
The Young Composers Program is a groundbreaking initiative created by Tyler Taylor, a 2022-2023 Louisville Orchestra Creator Corps member, as his community project for the season. Designed for students in grades 4–12, this program reflects the Louisville Orchestra’s legacy of innovation and its commitment to supporting emerging voices in music. Through this program, young composers are empowered to create, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives to orchestral music.
Aligned with the Louisville Orchestra’s mission to push musical boundaries, the Young Composers Program provides students with tools to explore and develop their unique voices. Through workshops and mentorship sessions led by Tyler Taylor and Louisville Orchestra mentors, participants learn essential composition skills. Key areas of focus include:
Exploring melody, harmony, rhythm, and structure.
Understanding how to arrange music for various instruments.
Developing a personal style and storytelling through music.
As part of the Louisville Orchestra’s commitment to supporting new music, participants in the Young Composers Program have the chance to hear their original compositions performed by musicians from the orchestra. The program culminates in a live showcase, where students share their works, providing them with invaluable experience and a platform to be celebrated for their creativity.
Created by Creators Corps Composer, Tyler Taylor the Young Composers Program builds upon the Louisville Orchestra’s rich history of championing new music—from its early modern commissions to the Creators Corps. By nurturing young talent and encouraging original compositions, the orchestra continues to inspire future generations to contribute to its legacy of creativity and innovation.
Teachers may nominate a student in grades 4–12 who are passionate about music, regardless of prior composition experience. Join us in discovering the world of music creation and become part of the Louisville Orchestra’s vision of artistic exploration.
Young Composers is a free program for all participants!
The Young Composers Program accepts a maximum of seven students per section for a total of 21 students across three sections: beginning, intermediate, and advanced.
Dr. Tyler Taylor, JCPS alum, career composer, and founder of the Young Composers program, leads all sessions along with musicians from the Louisville Orchestra.
Each student will need to bring at least one pencil, a notebook or lined paper for notetaking, and manuscript/staff paper. If you do not want to purchase a manuscript paper notebook, there are many free, downloadable options available online.
MakingMUSIC is a historic concert series for 4th and 5th grade students in Jefferson County Public Schools. Over a span of three days, our Louisville Orchestra musicians play six concerts for half of the elementary schools in the district, performing music that young, aspiring musicians find engaging and enjoyable. Each Young Composer participant will hear a part of their piece played live at one of the six MakingMUSIC concerts. Regardless of grade level, your student will have the opportunity to hear their piece played live during the Young Composers Recital.
The students and their families will hear their full piece on the Young Composers Recital in late spring.