2027 COMPOSERS' HUB

Professional Development Program for Women Composers

A week-long immersive experience for emerging composers to develop their craft, build professional skills, and connect with a community of artists shaping the future of music.

May 18-23, 2027 | Madison, WI

Shaping the Future - Why Composers' Hub

Composers' Hub brings together emerging women composers and leading artists for an intensive week of mentorship, learning, collaboration, networking, and live performances during the LunART Festival.

MENTORSHIP

Learn directly from an internationally recognized composer.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Build the knowledge and tools to navigate a sustainable artistic career.

COLLABORATION

Workshop your music with professional musicians and hear it performed live.

What Selected Composers Receive

Masterclasses and private mentorship

Arts-business and copyright education

Performance at the Composers' Hub Spotlight Concert

Full access to LunART Festival events

Professional development in career strategy and financial sustainability

Rehearsal and workshop with festival musicians

Professional live audio and video recording

Lodging during the program

2027 Composer-in-Residence

Sarah Kirkland Snider

Recently deemed “one of new music’s leading names” (Gramophone), one of the “Top 35 Female Composers in Classical Music” (The Washington Post), and “a rising star on the American compositional scene” (The Wall Street Journal), composer Sarah Kirkland Snider writes music of direct expression and dramatic narrative that has been hailed as “rapturous” (The New York Times), “groundbreaking” (The Boston Globe), and “ravishingly beautiful” (NPR).

Meet Sarah!

Is Composers' Hub Right For You?

This program is designed for women composers ages 18 and older who are in the earlier stages of their professional careers and are looking to:

Expand their professional experience
Receive substantive feedback on their work
Develop their artistic voice
Build tools for a sustainable career in the arts
Connect with established mentors, emerging peers, and professional musicians

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Composers' Hub is an annual week-long intensive designed to provide women composers with extraordinary experiences and tools for success in their growing professional careers. Six composers will be selected to receive personalized mentorship at LunART Festival (Madison, Wisconsin, USA), May 26-31, 2026, working with Composer-in-Residence Libby Larsen as they develop musicianship at the highest level within a nurturing and supportive environment.

Learn More about Libby!

Libby Larsen
2026 Composer-in-Residence

ELIGIBILITY

Women composers (ciswomen and transgender), ages 18 and up, who are at the earlier stages of their careers, meaning:

Those with limited professional performances of their works
Those seeking tools to enhance their composition careers
Those interested in constructive feedback and support on a current work

BENEFITS

Accepted Applicants Receive:

Masterclasses and a private composition lesson with Libby Larsen

Arts business sessions: lectures in copyright law, and personalized financial and career coaching

Performance of the submitted piece at the Composers' Hub Spotlight Concert

Professional live audio and video recording of the submitted piece

Rehearsal and workshop with festival musicians

Free admission to all 2026 festival events
Lodging at Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Application Period: November 1-February 1, 2025

Application Deadline: December 15, 2025, 11:59pm CST

Program Dates: May 26-31, 2026

Results: Application results will be communicated by February 1, 2026.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Submitted works should be:

7-10 minutes in length

Scored for one to five performers; available instruments, voice types, and ensembles are listed below.

A single or multi-movement work. In the case of multi-movement works, we reserve the right to play selections.

Work must be completed at the time of submission. However, minor changes are acceptable. Accepted applicants must provide the finalized scores by March 15, 2026.

Written no earlier than January 1, 2023.

Required Application Materials:

PDF of score (please upload a PDF with the file name formatted as compositiontitle.pdf)

Audio recording of the submitted piece (acceptable formats include .mp3, .aif, and .wav). Composer/performers only: a recording of the applicant performing must be submitted; acceptance as a performer is at the discretion of the festival.

Bio (100 words or less)

Program Notes (200 words or fewer)

Short essay (200-250 words), which will determine your candidacy, addressing the following questions: Why do you believe you are a good fit for this program? What do you hope to gain from this experience, and why would you like to participate?

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Instruments Available:

Strings: String quartet, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Woodwinds: wind quintet, Flute (piccolo, alto, bass), Clarinet (bass, B flat, E flat), Oboe (English horn, oboe d’amore), Bassoon, Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone)

Brass: Brass quintet, Trumpet, French horn, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba

Voice: Any voice type, as a solo vocal part or a member of an ensemble.

Piano: If your work includes prepared piano, please contact us before submitting. Please be aware that the concert hall only accommodates one piano, and therefore, pieces intended for multiple pianos will not be considered.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Housing Accommodation and Transportation

Accommodations

Composers will stay at Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown, conveniently located a 2 minute drive (7 minute walk) from the WYSO building. Lodging is included as part of the program tuition.

Please note that meals are not included and are the responsibility of each participant. Rooms will be shared, with two beds per room. You can explore the hotel's amenities here. Additional details and logistics will be provided upon acceptance to the program.