What would you write
if you had your own chamber music group?

Each year aspiring young composers from Oregon and Washington have precisely that opportunity. Under the direction of pianist and conductor Jeff Payne, the Young Composers Project is dedicated to developing the next generation of composers. During the school year, through a series of workshops and a performance, The Project gives students the opportunity to compose their own music and work with a professional ensemble rehearsing and performing that piece.

Participating students have won a lengthy list of awards including state, regional and national honors. KBPS Classical Radio has annually broadcast interviews with some of the composers along with their pieces and segments of the workshop have been featured on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s "ArtBeat." Students have participated in master classes with Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Bolcom, and Indiana University faculty member David Dzubay.