The Napa Music Festival Composers Workshop offers a unique opportunity for composers of all levels to explore and develop their compositional voice in a supportive environment. Whether you consider yourself an old pro or a complete newbie, this program will provide you with the tools to discover just how fun it can be to write your own music!

The Composers Workshop is an 8-day program, 10 am - 5 pm daily, targeting aspiring composers of all ages. Overnight accommodation can be provided at an additional charge.

We offer a supportive environment where students will receive composition group and individual instruction, learn about writing for various instruments and voices, examine the music of contemporary composers and styles, create and rehearse new works, and be guided through the process as new works move forward to a public performance. Composers will receive guidance from Workshop director Kurt Erickson, as well as from the 2015 NAPA Music Festival Guest Artist, composer-conductor Jonathan Sheffer.

Students will be encouraged to create expressive music in a number of different styles and collaborate with other NAPA Music Festival student artists. The Workshop will culminate in a public performance of works created during the program. Students will attend Festival concerts at no charge.