Where words fail, music speaks.

Springboro Wind Symphony invites applications for composers to participate in a composition masterclass with internationally renowned composer, conductor, and educator Frank Ticheli.

Frank Ticheli's music has been described as being “optimistic and thoughtful" (Los Angeles Times), “lean and muscular" (New York Times), “brilliantly effective" (Miami Herald) and “powerful, deeply felt crafted with impressive flair and an ear for striking instrumental colors" (South Florida Sun-Sentinel).  Ticheli is Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, where he taught for 32 years (1991-2023). From 1991 to 1998, Ticheli was Composer in Residence of the Pacific Symphony and composed numerous works for that orchestra.

Ticheli is well known for his works for concert band, many of which have become standards in the repertoire. In addition to composing, he has appeared as guest conductor of his music at Carnegie Hall, at many American universities and music festivals, and in cities throughout the world, including Schladming (Austria), Beijing and Shanghai, London and Manchester, Singapore, Rome, Sydney, and numerous cities in Korea and Japan.

For more information, please visit the composer’s website: www.FrankTicheli.com

The masterclass will be held Sunday, October 26, 2025, 12:00pm-2:00pm at Springboro High School (Springboro, Ohio).

The masterclass will include a lecture/Q&A by Frank Ticheli about composition (approx. 45 minutes), followed by his analysis, critique, and discussion of compositions by a few participants (15-20 minutes each) selected from an application process.

The masterclass will be open to any attendees at the following rates:

$10 per student (high school, undergraduate)
$20 per professional

The attendance fee will be waived for those selected as participants. Participants may also have an opportunity for their compositions to be played/performed and/or recorded by SWS at a future date.

Masterclass participants will be selected by a panel of SWS officers and members from applications that meet the guidelines below.

Composition guidelines:

  • Compositions must be works for wind band (i.e., concert band, symphonic band, wind symphony, etc.).

  • Compositions can be for bands of any grade level, 0.5 (beginning) - 6 (professional). 
    Composers working on music at any and all skill levels are encouraged to apply.

  • Composers may be of any level of experience.

  • For compositions longer than 3-4 minutes, applicants will self-select an excerpt of approx. 3 minutes to be evaluated.

  • Composition entries (scores and recordings) will not be shared beyond the SWS selection panel.

 

Application guidelines:

Applicants must complete the Masterclass Application and submit all materials by 6:00pm EDT on Friday, October 10, 2025 (no late entries will be accepted).  Selected participants will be notified on or before Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

  • Applicants can submit multiple entries, but each entry will require a separate application and fee.

  • Selected participants must be available and in physical attendance at the masterclass.

    Applications must include ALL of the following for consideration:

    • Online application form (per entry)

    • Application fee of $25 (per entry)

    • A full score of the composition in .pdf format*

    • A recording or MIDI realization of the composition in .mp3 format*

 

* Scores and recordings of works longer than 4 minutes should be edited to include only the shorter excerpt to be evaluated. Selected participants may be asked to make the complete scores and recordings available for the event, however.

 

Questions about the Masterclass and the submittal process can be addressed to Composer@springborowindsymphony.com

 

Springboro Wind Symphony is a non-profit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation and is operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Springboro Wind Symphony is not organized and shall not be operated for the private gain of any person.  The property of the organization is irrevocably dedicated to its educational and charitable purposes and no part of the receipts, or net earnings of the corporation shall be used for any activities other than its mission.  Springboro Wind Symphony will always retain control over the contributed funds and will provide the relative information regarding its activities on its web site: www.springborowindsymphony.com

251 West Central Avenue #115
Springboro, Ohio 45066