Composition Institute

June 9-15, 2024
Princeton, New Jersey

Spend A Week Studying Composition
with Sir James MacMillan

The Composition Institute of the Catholic Sacred Music Project is a unique intensive event for both emerging and established composers to study the craft of composing sacred music with world renowned composers in order to cultivate new compositions to add to the Church's treasury of sacred music. Composers selected for the 2024 Composition Institute will have the opportunity to study with Sir James MacMillan in a retreat-like environment in the walkable historic town of Princeton, New Jersey, and to have their works recorded and performed by a professional choir at the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel on Saturday, June 15.

Application Process

  1. Filling out the online application form.

  2. A personal statement of around 250 words on why you would want to study sacred music with Sir James MacMillan. 

  3. Submitting two choral works that demonstrate both expressive range and a level of technical mastery.

    Criteria for these submitted works include:

  • One works must be written for mixed choir SATB (divisi of 4 parts).

  • One works must be written for mixed choir SATB (divisi up to 8 parts with optional organ part permissible).

  • Works must set a sacred or liturgical text.

  • Works must be at least 3 minutes in duration and no longer than 7 minutes.

  • Works must be neatly and legibly engraved using software such as Sibelius, Finale, or MuseScore.

  • Works may be unaccompanied or accompanied by the organ.

  • Works must have a piano reduction.

  • Recordings of live performances, piano renderings, or MIDI renderings of submitted works must accompany submissions.

    The two choral works and personal statement should be emailed to Peter Carter at catholicsmp@gmail.com with “Composition Institute Application” as the email subject.

Applications may be submitted until April 15, 2024.

All applications will be considered for the eight Composition Fellows.
The next eight composers on the waiting list will have the option to participate in the program as Composition Auditors.

Submitted compositions in the application will be evaluated by a blind jury.
The jury panel will include Sir James MacMillan, Timothy McDonnell, and James Jordan.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by April 19, 2024.

Applicant Qualifications

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Applicants may be current students of composition or composers seeking professional development in the field.

  • Applicants must be available to attend the CSMP Composition Institute with Sir James MacMillan in Princeton, NJ during the period of June 9-15, 2024 inclusive.

Acceptance Process

  • After acceptance into the program, the Composition Fellows will be assigned a compositional project based on a Eucharistic text, the first complete draft of which will be submitted by May 20, 2024.  

  • During the Institute week, Composition Fellows will complete their compositions under MacMillan’s tutelage in preparation for a premiere concert by a professional choir in the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel.

  • Throughout the Institute, composers will have the opportunity to share their progress with one another in a communal setting of constructive feedback and mutual support, and to collaborate with the singers performing their music.

Composition Fellows & Composition Auditors

Composition Fellows

  • Composition Fellows will receive private composition lessons with Sir James MacMillan

  • Composition Fellows will be assigned a compositional project based on a Eucharistic text, the first complete draft of which will be submitted by May 20, 2024.  

  • Composition Fellows will complete their compositions under MacMillan’s tutelage during the Institute week in preparation for a premiere concert by a professional choir in the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel.

  • Throughout the Institute, composers will have the opportunity to share their progress with one another in a communal setting of constructive feedback and mutual support, and to collaborate with the singers performing their music.

    Composition Auditors

  • Composition Auditors will have the opportunity to participate in all seminars, daily liturgies, and communal meals.

  • Composition Auditors will participate in a unique environment of creative collaboration and artistic creation which will inspire them and help them grow in their own compositional journeys.

Program Expenses

The total registration cost is $800 per Composition Fellow (limit of eight).
The total registration cost is $550 per Composition Auditor (limit of eight).
Housing cost is $450 (6 nights at $75 per night) in on-campus housing at Princeton University.
Meal cost is $190.00 for lunches and dinners or $285.00 for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Partial scholarships may be awarded based on need and at the discretion of the jury.

Co-sponsored by

"I found myself being renewed in hope at meeting so many young musicians aspiring to serve our Church. And I was musically nourished through the incredible opportunity to meet and learn from Sir James MacMillan… I will certainly be attending again!"

— Colton Martin, 21

FAQs

Should I apply?

All composers eighteen years old and older are welcome and encouraged to apply. This program is designed to cultivate aspiring composers and support established composers in their work. Please don’t not apply because you are afraid you won’t get in. You definitely won’t get in if you don’t apply!

Do I have to be Catholic to attend?

No, applicants do not need to be Catholic to attend the event. Those desiring to attend the event should be respectful of the Catholic Church and willing to contribute to her musical patrimony through their compositions at the Composition Institute.

Where will the composers stay and where will they work?

Housing will be provided for the composers in on-campus housing at Princeton University where they can walk around and compose in the historic downtown, in practice rooms with keyboards, or along the trails of Lake Carnegie.

What will be the schedule for the week?

The week will begin the evening of June 9 and conclude at 3pm on June 15 at the Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel. During the week, the composers will having private composition lessons with Sir James, group workshops, daily Mass and Vespers, and time for composing.

I have more questions…

Please email any questions you have to Peter Carter at catholicsmp@gmail.com

Get On the List

Registration is not yet open, express interest and get on the list and we will notify you as soon as registration goes live.