NYJC Composition Summer School 2026

NYJC Composition Summer School 2026 Application Form
The Composition application process is online and consists of this application form and an online interview with NYJC's Founding Artistic Director, Issie Barratt.

Application deadline: Sunday 10th May 2026

This form will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. It helps us get to know you a bit before we meet you.

Questions with a * are required.

Once you hit 'Submit' - that's it - you've applied!

If you have any questions please contact NYJC's Programme Manager, Maia at maia@nyjc.co.uk

Data Protection
In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, you are informed that part or all of the information you give us will be held on computer and used for statistical purposes. We are happy to provide you with copies of the information we hold about you.

About You (Young Musician)
Name*

First NameLast Name
Preferred Name*
Your Date of Birth (Young Musician)*

DayMonthYear
Email*
Phone Number*
Your Home Address*

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

Town/ CityCounty

Post Code
About Your Parent/Guardian
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Email*
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
How did you hear about NYJC?*

Family/friendSocial mediaOnline searchLeafletSchoolTutor/TeacherMusic Education Hub/Music ServicesWe contacted youOther

Your Music Education
Would you call yourself a composer? Songwriter? Arranger? Music creator? Producer? Not sure yet?*

ComposerSongwriterArrangerMusic CreatorProducerNot sure yet
How long have you been creating music, and what do you most enjoy about creating music? *
(20-100 words)
Do you play an instrument? (Don't worry if you don't. Many composers and arrangers we work with use software or hear the music in their head, and so don't need to play an instrument!)*
Who are your instrumental / composition teachers?*
Which artists, composers, songwriters and/or arrangers do you enjoy listening to? How has listening to their music helped with your own creativity & development? *
(50-250 words)
What have you been listening to and/or studying over the last 3 months that has helped develop your creative skills, and how has it influenced your creative music making?*
(50-250 words)
Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your creative music making?*
Do you take part in any other compositional activities?*
Do you conduct? If so what? Don’t worry if not. Many young composers haven’t had chance to conduct.*
Have you had any compositions/arrangements performed (Please tell us the title, instrumentation and who performed it)? Most young composers haven’t had their pieces performed by an ensemble so please don’t worry if the answer’s “None!” That’s why we run the course!*
Do you use any music software- Which software and for what? (Not obligatory. Manuscript paper and 2b pencil or teaching by ear will do)*
Do you know about NYJC’s online resources? If yes, have they been useful?*
Please give details of music grades or diplomas that you have passed. Tell us when you took them, what marks you got, board and syllabus taken. (It REALLY doesn’t matter if you’ve never taken a grade! Neither have so many of the greatest composers and jazz musicians!)*

Examples of Your Music
Please provide us with one example of a piece of music you composed. *

Ideally, we would like a PDF of the written score accompanied by the midi or audio file, but this isn't compulsory. Your music can be written down and shared in many different ways:
- Audio files (MP3 or WAV)
- Links to your music online (eg. Soundcloud or YouTube) [Please provide any passwords to access this file alongside the link]
- Written scores (PDF or Word)
- Screenshots of your work in DAWs (eg. Logic or Garageband)
Please provide us with one example of a piece of music you made:

Cancelof
Alternatively, if you'd like to provide us with one example via a link, please paste it here:
Please use the box below to let us know how you created this piece.

You could think about the following when answering this question:
- What inspired you?
- Was there a specific brief?
- Was it for a piece of course work?
- Something someone asked you to write? Or sometihng you were interested in trying for yourself?
- Were there any challenges?
- Did things evolve over a period of time or did you write it in one sitting?
- Were you basing it on any specific stimuli?
- Did you set out to experiment with certain techniques?
- Was it written for a specific occasion/audience?
(50-250 words)
OPTIONAL: You are welcome to add a second example of a piece of music you made, but it is not obligatory.
Please upload an additional example of a piece of music you composed:

This is optional
Cancelof
Alternatively, please provide us with a link to an additional piece of music you composed:
This is optional
What would you like us to include in this year's composition summer school that would be of particular help and interest?
It is not obligatory to answer this, and we can't guarantee we'll fit everything into the week itself. But we're keen to support you as best we can, so if we can't add it to the summer school we can always try and arrange a zoom session that covers it as well!

Online Interview

After submitting your application, you will be invited to attend an online interview with course leader and NYJC Founding Artistic Director Issie Barratt.
Please select all dates you would be available to attend an online interview:*

Monday 18 May 2026Tuesday 19 May 2026
Please use this box to let us know any further information about your availability:

Reference

Once you submit your application form, your referee will receive an email asking complete a short reference for you. The email to your referee will be automatically sent, so please make sure that the email address is correct. We'd recommend letting them know to expect this in advance!
Name of one referee:*

First NameLast Name
Email address of your referee:*
example@example.com (this email address will receive an email asking to complete a short reference for you).
Telephone number of your referee:
Role of referee:*
e.g. Music Teacher
Name of the Head of Music OR Musical Director of Youth Ensemble OR Instrumental/Vocal/Composition Teacher:*
This should not be the same person as the referee stated above.
Their email/contact details:*
example@example.com

Financial Support
The application process for the Composition Summer School is free.

We can offer bursaries to cover all or part of the costs of:
- The course fee
- Travel to and from the course
- If you’re under 16, we can cover the travel costs of a chaperone
As a guide, means tested financial support such as being in receipt of Universal Credit or free school meals would entitle a student to be awarded a full bursary.

We have a sliding scale bursary scheme, so even if you don’t qualify for a full bursary, we may be able to help with a partial one.

We are here to help, so if you wish to discuss your application for a bursary please contact us on maia@nyjc.co.uk or 0116 216 7222.

All applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Would you like to request financial assistance for 2026's Composition Summer School?*

YesNo
Please give your reasons for requesting financial support:*
You will need to complete our seperate bursary application form. You can find the link to the form via our website or in the confirmation email for your application.

NYJC Composition Summer School 2026 Application Form

About You (Young Musician)

About Your Parent/Guardian

Your Music Education

Examples of Your Music

Online Interview

Reference

Financial Support

Medical/Access Needs

NYJC Equal Opportunities Form