Composition

Coming to Prague Summer Nights in 2020!

Composition

Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival composition students will spend three action-packed weeks in the Czech cities of Tábor and Prague, immersed in intensive study of composing operas, along with chamber, symphonic, and other vocal music.

They will also intensively study all aspects of opera production, have workshops in musical entrepreneurship, and study in depth two operatic masterworks being produced at the Festival, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le nozze di Figaro.

Participants will have daily private and group instruction from a distinguished composer. They will also observe music and staging rehearsals and coaching sessions for the opera productions and other performances. Participants will have their music performed, including short opera scenes and instrumental and nonoperatic vocal works, and will receive feedback on their work from festival faculty and musicians. They will attend performances of the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra at the historic Rudolfinum in Prague, and will experience fully-produced performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le nozze di Figaro at the historic Estates Theatre, where Mozart himself led the Don Giovanni premiere.

Program Highlights

  • Daily private and group lessons with an esteemed composer
  • Masterclasses with a renowned Czech composer
  • 1 public performance and recording of either your vocal or instrumental work, including feedback from faculty and festival musicians
  • 1 private reading and recording of your orchestral work by the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra
  • Work with faculty conductors on score study and score preparation
  • Rehearsals with student musicians and ensembles
  • Workshops on musical entrepreneurship and career development
  • Exposure to fully produced, professionally directed opera productions

Program Dates & Details

Late June-Mid July, 2020

Tuition: $3,750.00
Accommodation: $925.00 

Accommodation includes 6 nights in Tabor and 15 nights in Prague, daily breakfast and a farewell dinner. The cost also includes ground transportation in between cities in the Czech Republic on the company moving day. PSN will provide 1 van to take participants from the Prague airport to Tabor on the company arrival day and 1 van back to the airport on company departure day. The exact time will be provided at a later date.

Application Requirements & Deadline

Application Requirements

  • Coverletter

  • Resume

  • Three (3) samples of writing for voice and chamber ensembles

 
Applicants are required to submit three scores of their work (PDF). Audio or video recordings are strongly recommended. Operas and opera scenes are welcome, since this program focuses on opera. Nonoperatic vocal music, chamber music, and pieces for orchestra are welcome also. 
Composition applicants should include at least one work that would be practical for workshopping and performance during the festival. Practical considerations would include how difficult the work is, its length (around 10 minutes maximum), and the number of performers required. Opera scenes should be performable with accompaniment by just one instrument (most likely piano), and should involve no more than three singers; other compositions should involve no more than five performers, vocal and/or instrumental. 
Prague Summer Nights is open to students 18 and above.

Applications Open

TBA

What Our Students Say

  • “I cannot say this enough, this has been one of the most rewarding and fun opera experiences I’ve had! Not only because we were lucky enough to perform in the Estates Theater, but more so because of the camaraderie and friendships I have made, that will last a lifetime."

    Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Mezzo-Soprano

  • “It truly is a joy to be here in Prague and spending so much time with this group of people. Everyone works so hard, and when all the different parts come together, the music we create is absolutely magical. There is much pleasure in growing and bonding with a very talented group of musicians.”

    Andy Kim, Violinist

  • “Today I attended the Brass sectionals of Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Dvorak Symphony No. 9, led by clinician Ladislav Kozderka who holds the position of principal trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic. I offered to be his personal metronome and he humbly laughed, saying "no, no, you must know this piece so much more than me!" He let me conduct the entirety of both symphonies, stopping every section to give feedback. I kept wanting to pinch my cheek because I knew all the words of wisdom was coming from one of the leaders of the orchestra that loves and owns Dvorak more than anywhere else in the world.”

    Euan Shields, Conducting Apprentice

  • Participating in this incredible program was life changing! I strongly encourage people interested to apply, you won’t regret it. Easily one of the best summers of my life ❤️

    Hayden Clarke, Arts Admin PSN 17

  • “I have had the most wonderful 4 weeks I could hope for!"

    Nico Laruina, Vocalist

  • “I really enjoyed working with Dr. Jelena Nosková in the masterclass. She had wonderful suggestions and I felt my voice blossoming in the short time we worked together. I felt that it was very valuable to get some suggestions from someone I’d never worked with before. I thoroughly appreciate having this opportunity!”

    Beth Compton, Vocalist

  • “It was a pleasure for me being part of the festival, I learned a lot in Prague! Thank you for believing in my talent.”

    Brenda I., voice

  • “Thank you so much for the opportunity! I learned so much in that month, that I’m just hoping to retain a tiny bit of it! My teacher even noticed that my high notes have improved in tone. The program was absolutely amazing, and the people you brought together for it were even more so.”

    Laura M., voice

  • “Thank you again for the incredible opportunity! I had an amazing trip and made so many memories.”

    Heather G., violin

  • “Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It was an amazing experience with countless memories. Thank you again.”

    Preet S., cello

  • "Thank you PRAGUE SUMMER NIGHTS so much for the incredible opportunity to work with you in Prague, and the amazing opportunities I’ve received!"

    Isabelle M., cello

  • “A better experience could not have taken place for me during the first annual Prague Summer Nights Festival. I will forever take with me the memories and knowledge gained during my time with many wonderful musicians.”

    Maya M., violin

  • "Prague Summer Nights was an incredible experience for me. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and learned so much about myself as a performer. Sometimes when you are engrossed in the whirlwind of hard, dedicated work it is difficult to see your own progress. Just months after the program I already feel a difference and ease of approach to my performing, as well as a greater awareness of not only what I can improve, but HOW I can improve. Having sung an opera where Mozart first conducted it is no small honor either! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime."

    Stephanie K., soprano

  • “Such an incredible experience getting a lesson and performing in a masterclass today with Walter Seyfarth, 30-year clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, my favorite orchestra. My time in Prague has been a clarinetist’s dream! Very grateful.”

    Eric S., clarinet

  • “Thanks for a great summer! The Prague experience was unforgettable. Thanks again.”

    Will R., viola

  • “I just wanted to take the opportunity again to thank you for this wonderful program you have created. I am still in awe of what took place over this last month, from Smetana Hall, to the Dvorak Museum, and finally Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre! I honestly don’t know how you did it!"

    John H., baritone