Manchester Music Festival Young Composers Project

The Manchester Music Festival is proud to offer a unique program to young composers in the southwestern Vermont area. The Young Composers Project (YCP) is open to students in grades 6 through 12 who have demonstrated an interest in composing music. The program began in October 2009 and will culminate with a performance of the students' works in April 2010 by the Fireworks Ensemble. YCP is mentored by composer and arranger Brian Coughlin, the founding member of the Fireworks Ensemble. Students will receive guidance in person and via the internet throughout the five month composing process. Students will complete a minimum of one piece of classically inspired instrumental music by March 1, 2010. The piece will be scored for instruments specific to those instruments played by members of the Fireworks Ensemble.

THE COMPOSERS
Six composers were chosen to participate in the project. They come from three high schools and one elementary school in southern Vermont: Arlington Memorial High School, Burr & Burton Academy, The Dorset School and Long Trail School. The composers meet with mentor Brian Coughlin the second Friday of each month to exchange ideas. The remainder of the month they communicate via Internet. The composers are given a new assignment every two weeks that will steer them toward their ultimate goal of a finished composition.

PERFORMANCES
Each of the composer's pieces will be performed by the Fireworks Ensemble at an assembly at their respective schools during the first week in April 2010. In addition to the student pieces, Fireworks will perform some of their original works and interact with the student audience. On Thursday, April 8, 2010 there will be a public performance at Burr & Burton Academy's Riley Center for the Arts.

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