By Eric Dundon
Launched in January 2022, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's Composer Workshop is a yearly, multi-day immersive residency for composers pursuing post-graduate studies.
The residency includes readings of composers’ pieces by the SLSO; guidance and feedback from an annually appointed workshop mentor; seminars with mentors and SLSO administration, musicians, and librarians; and attendance at SLSO rehearsals and concerts. The residency culminates in a free community concert by the SLSO of the composers' works at Powell Hall.
Additionally, the SLSO has committed to ongoing relationships with participating composers, whose works will be programmed on a future St. Louis Symphony: Live at the Pulitzer concert. The composers in the inaugural workshop included Aiyana Braun, Christian Quiñones, Peter S. Shin, and Nicky Sohn.
The workshop complements the SLSO’s ongoing commitment to music and composers of today; in the 2021/2022 season, the orchestra performs 48 pieces for the first time, including 39 pieces by 32 composers of today.
Here are more photos from the inaugural Composer Workshop community concert, held January 30, 2022, at Powell Hall and led by SLSO Assistant Conductor Stephanie Childress.








Eric Dundon is the SLSO’s Public Relations Manager.