Summer Music Festival: Composition Intensive

AFA’s Composition programs during the Summer Music Festival give young musicians the opportunity to learn about and participate in the creation, development, refining and ultimately, performance of their own original work. Instruction is provided by AFA’s diverse and experienced Teaching Artists, and collaborative partnerships with several area arts organizations offer unique experiences for students. The Composition Intensive is an unparalleled opportunity for local young composers!

The Intensive is a one-of-a-kind, pre-professional experience for young composers taking place over five weeks; composers have the choice of attending the entire five week program or just one of two sessions. Both sessions will feature in-depth writing projects in collaboration with some of Houston’s premier arts organizations.

Session 1 of the Intensive will focus on writing instrumental chamber music and includes longtime collaborator Houston Ballet Academy. The composer/choreographer collaboration has offered countless composition students and young choreographers to work together to create hundreds of new works over the last 3 decades, and continues this summer.

Session 2 will feature additional projects, including a unique collaboration with Museum of Fine Arts, Houston offering composers the chance to write a solo work for a peer from the Orchestra & Chamber Music Intensive, to be premiered in front of a piece of artwork chosen by the composer in the museum.

Did you know? AFA offers tuition assistance for students who may not be able to afford the full amount; learn more here. Additional tuition discounts are available for returning students.

District Transportation Partnerships

Through partnership with AFA, select school district Fine Arts departments in the area provide bus transportation between a central location in their respective districts and AFA for students enrolled in their districts. Confirmed Partners for 2026 are Fort Bend ISD (now with multiple stops), Humble ISD (two stops), Klein ISD, and Lamar Consolidated ISD. If you are enrolled in any of the districts listed, you are eligible to receive free transportation to and from AFA.

Sample Daily Schedule

8:30-10:00 – Orchestration Seminar
10:00-10:50 – Writing Time
11:00-11:45 – Music Theory Class
11:45-12:25 – Lunch
12:30-1:30 – Writing Time
1:30-2:30 – Special Topic
2:30-3:30 – Visit or Zoom with guest composer
3:30-4:30 – Writing Time

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Applications are open now! Click here for details about the application process