Arcosanti : Experience

The Young Composers Seminar at Arcosanti is a week-long workshop which provides an opportunity for talented young composers to study and work with professional musicians and mentor composers in the inspiring Arizona high desert and the dramatic architectural environment Arcosanti provides. The seminar culminates with a performance in the Colly Soleri Music Center featuring the work of the participants. Recording sessions provide each young composer with a tape of the work performed.

Every year since 1993 young composers, composer mentors and professional musicians have traveled from all over the United States and even abroad to take part in this seminar. Days are filled with group discussions, rehearsals and private sessions with the musicians for each participant. Participants are given the opportunity to present his or her piece and talk about the body of work completed and planned. Other participants and the musicians provide critique from different perspectives. Various social functions ranging from dinners to pool parties to the annual BBQ which has become a midweek tradition fill out the week and give musicians and composers the opportunity to be a part of the Arcosanti community during their stay. The unique blend of intense work with quality participants and musicians, relaxation in an inspiring environment and social activities has made the Young Composers Seminar at Arcosanti a popular summer event among student and young composers.

Since 1995 the California E.A.R. Unit, one of Los Angeles' premiere contemporary music ensembles, has served as ensemble-in-residence for the workshop and provided composer mentors for participants. The California E.A.R. Unit is a new music ensemble dedicated to the performance, promotion and creation of some of the most exciting music of our time. In its seventeen year history, the E.A.R. Unit has brought unparalleled versatility, virtuosity and dedication to its performance. It is recognized as one of America's finest contemporary chamber ensembles.

The Young Composers Seminar at Arcosanti is the brainchild of Arcosanti's designer Paolo Soleri, and composers Claudio Spies of Princeton and Piers Hellawell of Queen's University of Belfast. The three met at the Annual World Affairs Conference in Boulder, Colorado. In 1993 the first group of young composers, Spies and Hellawell, and the Los Angeles Chamber Players came to Arcosanti for the first workshop. Since then other musical groups and mentor composers participating have included composers Harvey Sollberger and Terry Riley, and the reed trio Triole.

Young composers interested in participating should send a letter of interest and a resume to :

The Young Composers Seminar at Arcosanti is supported by participants' tuition, the Colly Soleri Music Trust, and grants from the Alice M. Ditson Fund, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation and the Virgil Thompson Foundation.