Fellows Receive:

• Mentorship from Andrew Norman and faculty
• 20+ tickets/year to LA Phil concerts, including Green Umbrella new music series
• A portfolio of professionally recorded original works
• Meetings with leading composers (past guests include John Adams, Caroline Shaw, Ludwig Göransson, Kaija Saariaho, and more)
• Opportunities to compose for and hear work performed by professional ensembles. Past ensembles have included:
• • LA Phil
  • Lyris Quartet, Calder Quartet
  • American Youth Symphony, Southeast Symphony, wild Up
• Access to:
• • Composition software and resources
  • LA Phil rehearsals
  • A diverse, supportive community of young composers

Application Information

Application Requirements

• Biographical & educational info
• Short essay responses
• 1–3 letters of recommendation
• Musical samples (at least two):
• • Two original compositions (audio/video, MIDI accepted)
  • A performance on your instrument
  • A solo improvisation or self-performed original (video only)

Eligibility 

The ideal composer fellow is creative and curious and desires to learn in community with other young musicians. The following guidelines are intended to ensure the best possible experience for participating composers and fulfill the LA Phil's commitment to increasing access to world-class learning opportunities for the Los Angeles community.

Applicants must:

• Be in grades 10-12 in Fall 2025
• Live in the Greater Los Angeles area
• Have some experience with classical music notation
• Have reliable transportation to Walt Disney Concert Hall & Beckmen YOLA Center

Program Commitment

The Fellow Year runs from October to early June. Availability and participation on all scheduled program dates are required as a fellow in the Composer Fellowship Program. Accepted fellows are expected to commit to scheduled programming, including but not limited to group sessions, community events, readings and performances of fellows' works, and LA Phil concerts. Accepted fellows are expected to work on their compositions and review class materials outside of scheduled programming.  

October – Early June

• 2–3 Saturday sessions/month (3–4 hrs)
• 5 Tuesday evening concerts/year
• 5+ additional evening concerts/year
• Required participation in all scheduled programming
• Regular composition work outside of group sessions

Here's a sample of what a fellow year might look like (note: this is a sample only).