If you are a composer 30-years-old or younger or are currently enrolled in a bachelors or masters program, you are invited to submit one orchestral score for consideration for the 2026 Cabrillo Composers Workshop, July 25–29. Led by Maestro Cristian Măcelaru, the Cabrillo Festival Conductors/Composers Workshop brings together leading faculty, the award-winning Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and early career conductors and composers for a professional training program that focuses on the creation and performance of new music. Now in its 25th season, the five-day program is held in downtown Santa Cruz, California, and involves three selected composers, six Conductor Fellows, six Conductor Associates, and eight Conductor Auditors. A $1,250 fellowship is available to each composer to help offset out-of-pocket expenses, including housing.
Application Details
Composers are requested to submit the following via Slideroom:
- One short curriculum vitae
- One orchestral score for consideration along with one recording (MIDI is an encouraged alternative if a live performance is not available), OR a you may submit one score (if non-orchestral, instrumental chamber ensemble work preferred) that best represents your work (w/ recording) (w/recording) if you intend to revise or compose a new piece for the program
- Selected composers will be required to submit final scores and parts to arrive no later than June 10, 2026. You will be asked to indicate if you intend to write a new work, plan to revise the submitted work or are submitting the work as is.
- Any work submitted for consideration that is longer than seven minutes will need to be revised.
- Selected works for the “In the Works” program must be between 5-7 minutes long.
COMPOSERS WORKSHOP REHEARSALS/PERFORMANCES:
- Two rehearsals
- One concert features 2 performances of each work of 5-7 minutes by three participating composers, July 28. Performed by members of the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra and conducted by participating Fellows. Each composer will receive recordings of their work from the final performance to be used for archival purposes or online excerpts no longer than 1 minute in length.
2026 COMPOSERS WORKSHOP INSTRUMENTATION:
5 violin I – 4 violin II – 3 violas – 3 cellos – 2 basses (strings are listed as players not stands)
2 flutes (2nd dbl pic) – 2 oboes (2nd dbl eng horn)
2 clarinets (1 dbl e-flat & 2nd dbl bass) – 2 bassoons (2nd dbl contra)
2 horns – 2 trumpets – 2 trombones (1 tenor, 1 bass) – 1 tuba
1 timpani – up to 3 percussion – harp – piano
No electronica or non-standard orchestral percussion. Please provide a list of percussion to be approved.
Housing
The Festival does not provide housing. We recommend booking early as Santa Cruz is a popular summer vacation destination.
Recording Rights
Composers are allowed to use the recordings for archival purposes only and up to one minute excerpt on a website or online platform.