Memphis Composers Institute 2025
The Memphis Composers Institute, a collaborative initiative between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, The Walden School, and the University of Memphis, proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Memphis Composers Institute. This year’s selected composers — Evan Erickson, Sina Karachiani, and Soomin Kim — were chosen from an impressive pool of more than 100 applicants, who submitted scores from across the globe. Their works will be performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a special concert on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM. The concert will be conducted by Kyle Dickson, Madeleine Luce Moore Assistant Conductor Chair of the Memphis Symphony.
Concert Information
Memphis Composers Institute Concert
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 2:00 PM
University of Memphis, Harris Hall
Suggested donation: $20 adults | $5 children | free student tickets at the door
For tickets, visit:
https://memphis-symphony.squarespace.com/calendar/emphis-composers-institute-concert
Memphis Composers Institute Schedule
All events take place at the University of Memphis’s Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, unless otherwise noted.
Friday, February 7
- 2:00 PM – Participants attend the Orff Side-by-Side Concert with Memphis Symphony and its Education Programs at Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School
- 5:30–7:00 PM – Opening Reception (Hosted by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra) at Harris Hall
- 7:30 PM – Memphis Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal at Harris Hall (Open to Public)
Saturday, February 8
- 12:00 PM – Lunch for composers, orchestra members, and panelists at Holiday Inn Memphis-University of Memphis (Hosted by The Walden School)
- 2:00–2:45 PM – Panel 1: Bringing New Music to Life (Open to Public, Harris Hall)
- Moderated by Caroline Mallonée, Director of Walden’s Creative Musicians Retreat
- Featuring Kyle Dickson (conductor), Sina Karachiani, Soomin Kim, and D. J. Sparr
- 3:00–3:45 PM – Panel 2: Orchestras and New Music: What’s Next? (Open to Public, Harris Hall)
- Moderated by D. J. Sparr, Artistic Coordinator of Memphis Composers Institute
- Featuring Mahir Cetiz, Kamran Ince, Caroline Mallonee, Sky Macklay, and Robert Patterson
- 7:30 PM – Memphis Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal at Harris Hall (Open to Public)
Sunday, February 9
- 2:00 PM – Memphis Symphony Orchestra Concert
- 3:15 PM – Post-Concert Q&A with audience and musicians