Tanglewood Music Center (BSO) — Composition Program (2027)

Tanglewood Music Center's Composition Program is an eight-week summer residency (June 25 to August 17, 2027) for emerging composers, held alongside the Tanglewood Music Center's performance fellows in the Berkshires. There's no tuition, but the program materials don't mention a stipend, so plan on covering your own travel and living costs; once you accept a place, there's a $250 registration fee ($200 if you're returning for a second summer).

To apply, you need to be at least 18 by the time the residency starts and able to commit to the full eight weeks. The application runs through Acceptd and costs $75, with fee waivers available if that's a barrier. You'll submit a one-page letter describing your training as a composer — the academic programs, festivals or conferences that shaped you — plus three to five scores from the last three years, with at least one from the past year, backed by audio or video recordings. One teacher or mentor submits a reference letter directly once your application is in.

The deadline is October 15, 2026, at 11:59pm Eastern. The program doesn't publish how the review panel weighs applications, so it's worth assuming strength and originality of the portfolio carries most of the decision.