About The Composers Workshop

The Cascade Composers Workshop is an orchestra composition program led by David Serkin Ludwig, Dean of Music and Chair of Composition at the Juilliard School. Participants will write a new work for the Cascade Composers Sinfonietta, culminating in rehearsal and a live performance on June 20th, 2025 that will be professionally recorded. This year the Composers Workshop is pleased to offer the opportunity to compose a new work for chorus to be read during the Cascade Conducting Choral Masterclass.

Program highlights include

Rehearsals and professionally video-recorded final concert with the Cascade Composers Sinfonietta in beautiful Lagerquist Hall.

• Daily composition seminars and a private lesson with David Serkin Ludwig

• Participation in the Cascade Conducting Choir

• Master class with distinguished guest composer Gabriella Smith

• Auditing of orchestral and choral conducting seminars

• Daily classes with guest speakers from a variety of musical backgrounds

• Attendance at Cascade Conducting rehearsals with Sarah Ioannides and Geoffrey Boers

Tuition: $2850

Dates: June 15th-June 21st, 2025

Application Deadline: March 1st

Reduced rate room and board will be offered by Pacific Lutheran University.

Watch Cascade Conductors from the 4th Annual Masterclass lead a Symphony Tacoma Chamber Orchestra in performances of Cascade Composers' original works:  "The Final Conquest."  

Cascade Conducting Orchestral Masterclass

If you are applying as a full participant, please do so before the application deadline.

• 8 Full Participants will be chosen within 15 days following the application deadline.  

• Tuition Payment

• Only upon application approval.

• Payment Options: Online or by Check

• Submit a tuition payment online using the "Tuition Payment" button.

• We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Microsoft Pay. 

• Check or Money Order: Choose "Pay by check" option after clicking the "Tuition Payment" button.