Vt.’s Young Composers
Bring Work to Chandler

Mozart isn't the only one who was writing music as a kid. The world is full of intriguing young composers, as it turns out, and many of them are students in Vermont schools—including several at Randolph Union High School.

On April 30, 20 compositions by students all over Vermont will be featured in an inspiring performance at Randolph’s Chandler Music Hall.

Through the innovative Vermont MIDI Project, students from 17 different Vermont schools in grades 4-12 are composing original music for string and woodwind instrument ensembles. The winning pieces will be performed by professional musicians at the Chandler concert, which starts at 6:30 pm.

As part of the MIDI Project opportunity, students will benefit from individual rehearsals with the professional performers. They will also work with Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s composer in residence, David Ludwig from Philadelphia.

The Vermont MIDI Project helps students learn music composition technology in their classrooms. More than 7000 students in 37 schools throughout the state participate, along with students from other states.

For months, professional composers have been mentoring Vermont students from grades 4-12. Through the Vermont MIDI Project’s website, mentors can inspect the students’ work and make comments. The students have expanded and revised their work based on that feedback.

Now they are awaiting the April 7 announcement of which compositions will selected for "Opus 16," Vermont MIDI’s semi-annual concert performance.

The performances so far have been held only at the Ellie Long Center in Colchester, but some will now be held elsewhere in Vermont, starting with the April 30 concert at Chandler.