NEWFOUND CHAMBER WINDS TIDEWATER COMPOSITION WORKSHOP

June 8 – 16, 2026 | Old Dominion University – Norfolk, VA

NFCW Tidewater Composition Workshop Application

Up to fourteen (14) participant composers will be accepted based on review of materials to work with David Biedenbender, NFCW Composition Workshop Director and Chair of Composition at Michigan State University, and Viet Cuong, NFCW Composer-in-Residence and Assistant Professor of Composition at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Accepted applicants will workshop their compositions with Newfound Chamber Winds and NFCW Chamber Music Fellows, which will culminate in professionally-recorded public performances. Participants will engage in daily clinics, lectures, and seminars with NFCW Artist Faculty. Join us for this unique experience!

Tuition: $1400.00 (Scholarships available)

NOTE: Upon acceptance, a participant composer's selected work may be either pre-existing or newly composed.

Instrumentation: 

All composers will choose their top 3 instrumentation preferences as part of the application. The composition faculty will assign an instrumentation as part of the admissions process. Below are the instrumentation options:

Option 1 - LARGE CHAMBER WINDS ENSEMBLE: 2 fl (2 doubling picc, 1 doubling alto fl), 2 ob (1 doubling Eng.hn), 2 cl (1 doubling bcl), 2 bsn, 2 hn., 1 sax (SATB available), 1 dbl.bass (available for conducted chamber winds compositions ONLY) *LIMITED AVAILABILITY*

Option 2 - WOODWIND QUINTET: 1 flute (doubling picc), 1 oboe (double English horn), 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), 1 bassoon, 1 horn OR 1 alto/tenor saxophone (replacing horn)

Option 3 - REED QUINTET: 1 Oboe (doubling English Horn), 1 clarinet, 1 bass clarinet, 1 alto saxophone, 1 bassoon

Option 4 - WOODWIND SEXTET: 1 flute (doubling picc), 1 oboe (double English horn), 1 clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), 1 bassoon, 1 alto saxophone 

Additional Program Highlights:

• Pre-festival feedback session via Zoom w/ composition faculty

• Ample rehearsal time of selected works

• Professional recording and live performance of works

• Private and group composition lessons w/ all composition faculty

• Seminars on a wide range of topics, including: Career Building, Conducting for Composers, Conductor/Performer Etiquette, "Everything after the Double Barline: Score & Part Preparation" with David Biedenbender, Presentations by faculty, Presentations by participants, Q&A Session w/ Composition faculty, Speaking to Audiences, Writing for Various Wind Instruments, Writing Program Notes

Festival Housing:

On-campus dorm housing is available at the cost of $590 for Sunday June 7 - Wednesday, June 17 (June 7 and June 17, arrival/departure dates). 

A number of off-campus housing options are also available (to be arranged privately by the participant). 

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2026, but applications will be accepted until all spots are filled. Participants will be notified of their acceptance via email by February 15.

Contact us if you have any questions: newfoundchamberwinds@gmail.com