Composer Institute

The Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute brings up to seven talented emerging composers to Orchestra Hall for a week of seminars, rehearsals and a public performance of their music.

An Immersive Experience 

Through the Composer Institute, which is held in alternating seasons and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts, selected composers participate in sessions with Minnesota Orchestra musicians and consultations with the Composer Institute director and Music Director Thomas Søndergård. At week’s end, their works are performed by the Orchestra under Søndergård’s direction, among other activities. The next Composer Institute concert, called Future Classics, will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025. View concert program information, program notes, composer profiles and other information for the April 25 concert here.

Composer Institute History

The Composer Institute is an outgrowth of the Minnesota Orchestra’s “Perfect Pitch” program, a series of new music reading sessions for Minnesota composers launched in 1996 in collaboration with the American Composers Forum. Perfect Pitch was reformulated in 2001 as the Composer Institute, as the program’s focus broadened and national participation was invited. In 2006 the Orchestra added a public concert of the composers' new works conducted by Osmo Vänskä until 2022, and by Thomas Søndergård starting in 2025. Composer Aaron Jay Kernis directed the program for its first 11 seasons and was succeeded by Kevin Puts in 2015.

Composer Institute Alumni 

Since 1996, 159 emerging composers have participated in the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute and its predecessor, Perfect Pitch. Many have since gone on to impressive careers, earning prestigious commissions and high honors, including multiple Grammy nominations and four shortlists for the Pulitzer Prize. Learn about some of their achievements and connections with other local ensembles.