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 PMPanel 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