Australian Composers School
Overview
Orchestral composition training for experienced early-career composers.
The Australian Composers School (ACS) offers training for composers on the cusp of a professional career in orchestral composition.
The two-year course aims to refine participants’ skills in orchestral composing and can lead to commission opportunities, including with major orchestras.
ACS participants are mentored by some of Australia’s leading composers and work with musicians of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra to refine and develop their skills.
'Australian Composers’ School has been an invaluable experience for my career. The experience of being in the room with an orchestra for a whole week and being immersed in that sound world is something that can’t be replicated in any other way. Learning from mentors and peers throughout the process has been incredible.'
Fiona Hill, former ACS participant
About the school
Develop your skills across a two-year program
Program overview
Successful applicants participate in three training modules across a two-year period, with online learning and mentoring sessions throughout the year.
All in-person modules take place in Nipaluna / Hobart at the TSO.
Course fees and accommodation costs are covered by the TSO. Participants are required to arrange their own travel to and from Tasmania.
Module 1 (example):
Write two pieces for orchestra (or a similar project)
Module 2 (example):
Develop a composition intended for commercial use, e.g. filmscore.
Module 3 (example):
Compose a concertino for solo instrument and orchestra
'The breadth and the diversity of what orchestral writing is – and what it can be today – is a feature of this program and I love getting to explore that.'
Sam Wu, 2022 - 2023 ACS participant
Eligibility criteria
You must
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- Have a tertiary degree in composition or the equivalent professional experience
- Have written a piece of music that has been performed or workshopped by an orchestra
- Be available to attend all in-person sessions.
Suitable for
- Experienced early-career composers
- Composers seeking commissions, including from professional orchestras.
How to apply
Applications for the 2028 – 2029 program will open in 2027.
FAQs
This training program is a skills development program for composers with experience in writing for orchestras.
You must:
- Have a tertiary degree in composition or the equivalent professional experience and
- Have written a piece of music that has been performed or workshopped by an orchestra.
Yes. Sometimes we will invite composers to apply for the ACS based on recommendations from other professional orchestras within the Australian and New Zealand orchestra network.
Applications for the 2028 – 2029 program will open in early 2027. Check this website in early 2027 for details of how to apply.
DN.avif)