MYSP 2025 Student Composition Workshop

Location: Christian Brothers High School
(5900 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120)

• Sunday, August 10, 2025
(All Workshops)
1pm-5pm

• Friday, August 15, 2025
Blueshift Ensemble performs ICEBERG New Music
Beethoven Club of Memphis
7pm | Free and open to the public!

• Saturday, August 16, 2025
(Intermediate/Advanced Workshop only)
11am-4pm

Questions: Contact executivedirectior@myspmusic.org
Register Here

About the Workshop

This workshop is for middle school, high school, and incoming college students who are interested in composing their own original music and/or playing contemporary classical music. The workshop is taught by composers of ICEBERG New Music, a collective of composers based in New York City who currently teach at universities and work with orchestras around the world, along with Memphis-based chamber group Blueshift Ensemble.

There are 3 ways you can participate!

1. Intermediate/Advanced Workshop
Sunday, August 10 & Saturday, August 16
Schedule below

This workshop is for students with some composing experience. Students prepare an original composition (completed or in progress) in advance and workshop their piece individually with professional composition faculty on Sunday, August 10th. During the week, they will check-in with faculty virtually on their progress. This workshop concludes with a performance and recording of their piece on Saturday, August 16th by Blueshift Ensemble. Enrollment is capped at 4 students for this workshop. Tuition: $75

Not sure if you qualify for this workshop based on your composing experience? Email mysp@myspmusic.org and we'd be happy to discuss!

Students may compose pieces using any combination of these instruments: violin (2), viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet

2. Beginner/Introductory Workshop
Sunday, August 10th, 1:00-2:00pm 

This workshop is for students who do not have much or any experience composing their own original music but would like to learn more about how to begin and what "composing" means! This is a group class and a great place to start if you're curious about what it means to be a composer or you just want to learn some skills to begin writing your own music! Tuition: Free

3. Contemporary Performance Workshop - Sunday, August 10th, 2:30-3:45pm

This workshop is for students who may not be interested in composing their own music but would like to play contemporary classical music. This group class includes demonstrations of the wide variety and styles of music  composed in the 20th and 21st century. Students will rehearse and perform a piece with members of Blueshift Ensemble. Tuition: Free

Schedule

Sunday, August 10th - CBHS

1:00-2:00 PM - "What Does it Mean to Compose?"
Introductory seminar, open to all, introducing basic composition ideas, followed by Q&A

2:30-3:15 PM - Individual composition lessons 1 (Intermediate/Advanced Workshop)
2:30-3:45 PM - Performance Workshop led by Blueshift Ensemble
3:15-4:15 PM - Time for composition students to work on their pieces alone
4:15-5:00 PM - Individual composition lessons 2 (Intermediate/Advanced Workshop)

Friday, August 15 - Beethoven Club of Memphis

7:00 PM - Blueshift Ensemble performs works by ICEBERG New Music composers. The concert is free and open to the public! 

Saturday, August 16

11:00 AM-12:30 PM - Final meetings (Intermediate/Advanced Workshop), focusing on editing and notation issues
12:30-2:00 PM - Lunch/print completed parts
2:00-4:00 PM - Reading/recording session with Blueshift Ensemble

Who is ICEBERG New Music?  https://www.icebergnewmusic.com/about 

ICEBERG New Music is a collective of ten composers based in New York City. ICEBERG's mission is to promote the idea that substance, not surface, is the heart of music creation and perception. The collective's ten member composers hail from different schools of thought and cultivate radically different sounds – from musical theater and indie rock to avant-garde sounds and electronic installations – but their contrasting musical languages belie a shared emphasis on structure and depth of meaning. When these artists compose for the same ensemble and present their works during a joint concert, the result is a glimpse into the ever-widening possibilities of art music in the twenty-first century.

ICEBERG composers are dedicated to engaging directly with the community as energetic advocates of contemporary music. The collective participates in an annual residency at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, TN, during which they present public concerts, free lectures, and other educational outreach activities. In 2018, ICEBERG unveiled its Young Composer Award, a scholarship fund aimed at pre-collegiate composers from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds. In 2020, they began the ADVICEBERG project, which offers free career counseling to young composers.

Join us for the Season Finale Concert featuring Prelude Strings, Intermezzo Orchestra, String Orchestra, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble!

(Repertory Orchestra and Youth Symphony perform on Saturday, May 10th at 7pm. Event info here.)

Come early to check out the silent auction fundraiser in the SFPAC lobby and support the MYSP!

Sunday, May 11, 2025
3:00 PM
The University of Memphis - Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

Purchase Tickets Here - Tickets are good for both the May 10th and May 11th concerts!
Adults - $15
Students and Seniors - $5
MYSP Students - Free

The MYSP does not want ticket prices to deter anyone from attending MYSP performances. If you are unable to purchase tickets at this time, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/eTgUhtLQJV2o3HaCA

Join us in the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center lobby before the 3pm Season Finale Concert and enjoy performances by MYSP Chamber Music ensembles!

The chamber music lobby performance is free and open to the public! Please join us in supporting the talented young musicians of the MYSP!

Join us for the 11th annual Memphis Symphony Orchestra & Memphis Youth Symphony Program Side-by-Side concert, featuring the MYSP Youth Symphony and Repertory Orchestra!

Come early to check out the silent auction fundraiser in the SFPAC lobby and support the MYSP!

Saturday, May 10, 2025
7:00 PM
The University of Memphis - Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

Purchase Tickets Here - Tickets are good for both the May 10th and May 11th concerts!
Adults - $15
Students and Seniors - $5
MYSP Students - Free

The MYSP does not want ticket prices to deter anyone from attending MYSP performances. If you are unable to purchase tickets at this time, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/eTgUhtLQJV2o3HaCA


Program
MYSP Repertory Orchestra
Charles Griffes - The White Peacock
Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”, movements 4 & 5

MYSP Youth Symphony
George Socolow - Rush Hour
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherezade, movements 3 & 4

MYSP 2025 Seniors Presentation

MYSP Repertory Orchestra & Youth Symphony
Ottorino Respighi - The Pines of Rome, movement 4

Join us in the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center lobby before the 7pm Side-by-Side Season Finale Concert and enjoy performances by MYSP Chamber Music ensembles!

The chamber music lobby performance is free and open to the public! Please join us in supporting the talented young musicians of the MYSP!

Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
3:00 PM
Beethoven Club of Memphis

The Beethoven Club and the Memphis Youth Symphony Program are proud to announce the Mashburn Music Series in honor of Barbara Mashburn, the Beethoven Club's longstanding former president, board members and leader of countless programs throughout decades. She wrote a history of the Beethoven Club that is online here. These concerts will support the club's primary goal of supporting the emerging careers of young classical musicians. All concerts are free and open to the public.

Join us for an afternoon performance of chamber music performed by the talented musicians of the Memphis Youth Symphony Program! The program includes works by Jenni Brandon, Saint-Saëns, Fanny Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Schubert, and more.

The concert is free and open to the public.
3:00-4:15 PM
Beethoven Club of Memphis

The MYSP chamber music program provides students the opportunity to play in smaller ensemble settings, engaging them in weekly rehearsals, regular coachings by professional musicians, and multiple community performances each season to foster their musical and leadership skills.

Support the MYSP and join us on Saturday, April 26th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Kendra Scott - Saddlecreek!

MYSP students will perform from 12:00-1:00pm for all to enjoy!

Mention MYSP at checkout and Kendra Scott will donate 20% of your purchase to the MYSP.
You can also shop online and support the MYSP by using code GIVEBACK-INPLG from April 26th-April 28th.
www.kendrascott.com

2025 MYSP Prom is here! 

DJ, photo booth, dancing, games, food, and fun with friends! Open to all MYSP students grades 9-12.

When: Saturday, April 19, 2025

Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Where: University of Memphis G6 & G8

$20 per ticket / $35 for 2 tickets
Purchase your MYSP Prom tickets here!

Date & Time

Sat, Apr 19, 2025 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Venue Details

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

1934 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38104

Join us as the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art welcomes the musical talents of the Memphis Youth Symphony to its galleries! Students in the Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP) will perform against the backdrop of inspiring works of art spanning the ages.

Reserve your tickets today for an experience you won't want to miss!
Tickets here

About the Memphis Youth Symphony Program

The Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the premier youth symphony program in the Mid-South. MYSP consists of seven large ensembles and multiple chamber ensembles, which perform multiple times a year. With over 300 students, ages 6-19, from public, private, rural, faith-based, and home schools in the tri-state area participating each season, MYSP fosters a love of music and creativity. Scholarship funds are readily available, ensuring no student is turned away due to the inability to pay.

Come curious, leave inspired.

The Memphis Youth Symphony Program presents the annual MYSP Spring Concerts! Enjoy performances by the talented young musicians of the MYSP large ensemble programs at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 2nd! 

University of Memphis Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center
3800 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Parking code: 32961# 

Purchase tickets here

Adults $15
Students and Seniors $5
MYSP Students are free

The MYSP does not want ticket prices to deter anyone from attending MYSP performances. If you are unable to purchase tickets at this time, please email executivedirector@myspmusic.org to be added to the will call list. 

Tickets are good for both concerts!

2:30 pm - MYSP Spring Concert 1
Prelude Strings
Intermezzo Orchestra
Concert Band
Wind Ensemble

7:00 pm - MYSP Spring Concert 2, featuring winners of the MYSP Concerto Competition
String Orchestra
Repertory Orchestra 
- featuring MYSP Concerto Competition winner Catherine Cheng (flute) & Memphis Choral Arts Youth Choir
Youth Symphony
- featuring MYSP Concerto Competition winner Eireno Ko (violin)

The Memphis Youth Symphony Program presents the annual MYSP Spring Concerts! Enjoy performances by the talented young musicians of the MYSP large ensemble programs at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 2nd! 

University of Memphis Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center
3800 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Parking code: 32961# 

Purchase tickets here

Adults $15
Students and Seniors $5
MYSP Students are free

The MYSP does not want ticket prices to deter anyone from attending MYSP performances. If you are unable to purchase tickets at this time, please email executivedirector@myspmusic.org to be added to the will call list. 

Tickets are good for both concerts!

2:30 pm - MYSP Spring Concert 1
Prelude Strings
Intermezzo Orchestra
Concert Band
Wind Ensemble

7:00 pm - MYSP Spring Concert 2, featuring winners of the MYSP Concerto Competition
String Orchestra
Repertory Orchestra 
- featuring MYSP Concerto Competition winner Catherine Cheng (flute) & Memphis Choral Arts Youth Choir
Youth Symphony
- featuring MYSP Concerto Competition winner Eireno Ko (violin)

Join us on Saturday November 9th at 12pm as the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art welcomes the musical talents of the Memphis Youth Symphony to its galleries! Students in the Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP) will perform against the backdrop of inspiring works of art spanning the ages. Reserve your tickets today for an experience you won't want to miss!

Purchase tickets here

Refunds and Exchanges
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. 
If an event is canceled, no action is required to obtain a refund; we will issue a refund to the original method of payment used at time of purchase.

If an event is postponed, rescheduled, or moved, your tickets are still valid for the new date and no further action is required. Emails will be sent to ticket holders notifying them of any available refund options for the event.

Date & Time

Sat, Nov 9, 2024 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Venue Details

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38104

The Memphis Youth Symphony Program presents the MYSP Sounds of the Season on Sunday, December 8th at the University of Memphis Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center! 

University of Memphis Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

3800 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38117

Parking code: 32961#

Adults $15

Students and Seniors $5

MYSP Students are free

The MYSP does not want ticket prices to deter anyone from attending MYSP performances. If you are unable to purchase tickets at this time, please email executivedirector@myspmusic.org to be added to the will call list. 

Tickets are good for both concerts!

2:30pm Concert

Prelude Strings, conducted by Kristi Harrington

Intermezzo Orchestra, conducted by Chelsea Subick

Concert Band, conducted by Kevin Carpenter

7:00pm Concert

String Orchestra, conducted by Yonitte Ryger

Repertory Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Selim Giray

Youth Symphony, conducted by Kyle Dickson; Featuring a special collaboration with Memphis Choral Arts! 

The Beethoven Club and the Memphis Youth Symphony Program are proud to announce the Mashburn Music Series in honor of Barbara Mashburn, the Beethoven Club's longstanding former president, board members and leader of countless programs throughout decades. We are so excited to partner with the Beethoven Club on this new series featuring the talented students of the MYSP! 

Inaugural Concert
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Beethoven Club, 263 S. McLean, Memphis, TN 38104
Free admission, reception to follow

The program will include works by Mendelssohn, Forsyth, Mozart, Bach, Paganini, and Brandon.

Participating MYSP musicians are:
Mia Widner, violin 
Ariel Ross, viola 
Caleb Jenning, horn 
Oscar Ruiz, cello 
Emma Kerr, violin 
Sam Scull, oboe 
John Baltz, clarinet 
Grace Dillender, bassoon 

Join us on Saturday November 9th at 12pm as the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art welcomes the musical talents of the Memphis Youth Symphony to its galleries! Students in the Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP) will perform against the backdrop of inspiring works of art spanning the ages. Reserve your tickets today for an experience you won't want to miss!

Purchase tickets here!

Refunds and Exchanges
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. 
If an event is canceled, no action is required to obtain a refund; we will issue a refund to the original method of payment used at time of purchase.

If an event is postponed, rescheduled, or moved, your tickets are still valid for the new date and no further action is required. Emails will be sent to ticket holders notifying them of any available refund options for the event.

Date & Time

Sat, Nov 9, 2024 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Venue Details

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38104

The MYSP is excited to perform on the ARTSmemphis Partners Stage at RiverArtsFest again this year! Come hear two great MYSP chamber music ensembles performances!

9-10:15am
11-11:40am

More information can be found here: https://riverartsmemphis.org/

RiverArtsFest is a celebration of fine arts and fine local music with live artist demonstrations and hands-on art activities for all ages!

More than 150 artists from around the country and right here in Memphis gather to exhibit and sell their latest works of original fine arts in what’s become the largest juried artist market and urban festival in the Mid-South. 

Come out and hear MYSP Chamber Music students perform from 11:30am-12pm at the Memphis Children’s Theatre Festival 2024 at Theatre Memphis!

More information here!

The 2024 Memphis Children’s Theatre Festival will be a community celebration of family and youth focused performances that is sure to entertain and delight all who are in attendance. This year is our 19th annual celebration and we are expanding with more than 30 performances and opportunities to explore theatre, music, art, dance and MORE!

The founding mission of the festival, created by Voices of the South in the mid 1990’s, was to create a safe, educational, affordable, and exciting atmosphere in which children and families can attend innovative theatre and participate in arts-oriented activities that foster imagination.

The children’s festival introduces and fosters relationships and experiences with the entire arts community in Shelby county and beyond. MCTF2024 will represent more than 200 individual artists from the Mid South. MCTF2024 will represent individual artists, arts organizations, local schools and children’s performing arts groups all while promoting arts awareness as a step in helping to build a stronger, more invigorated community by sharing the beauty of art with children and families. 

Let us know if you are coming! Click here.

Join us for the annual College Fair presented by the MYSP and the University of Memphis!

4:00-7:30pm
The University of Memphis Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center
3800 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38117
Free and open to all

This event is open to students of all ages with an interest in continuing their musical studies in college. The College Fair is free of charge and includes a College Audition Prep discussion led by U of M faculty, a tour of the University of Memphis facilities, and a college fair with representatives from over 15 different music schools from across the country.

Schedule

4pm Check-in (no registration required)
4:30pm College Prep Seminar
5:30pm Tour
6-7:30pm College Fair

Schools represented at the college fair include:

Bard College Conservatory of Music

Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Cornish College of the Arts

Florida State University College of Music

Loyola University New Orleans

Manhattan School of Music

Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Peabody Conservatory

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

The Juilliard School

The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University

The University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music

University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

University of North Texas College of Music

Sunday, May 5, 2024
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
255 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

Adults - $15
Students - $5
Seniors - $5
MYSP Students - Free
Tickets are good for both concerts.

2:30PM Concert - Prelude Strings, Intermezzo Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble

7:30PM Concert - MYSP Youth Symphony and Memphis Symphony Orchestra Side-by-Side Concert

Purchase tickets

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Plough Hall

Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

2:00PM Concert - Prelude Strings, Intermezzo Orchestra, and Concert Band 

5:00PM Concert - String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble

7:30PM Concert - Youth Symphony featuring Concerto Competition Winners:

Emma Kerr (violin)
Misha Medvedchuk (clarinet)
Jack Feng and Oscar Ruiz (violin and cello)

Tickets are good for all 3 concerts on Sunday, March 3

Adults - $15
Students - $5
Seniors - $5
MYSP Students - Free

Purchase tickets

Purchase tickets

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Plough Hall

Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

2:00PM Concert - Prelude Strings, Intermezzo Orchestra, and Concert Band 

5:00PM Concert - String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble

7:30PM Concert - Youth Symphony featuring Concerto Competition Winners:

Emma Kerr (violin)
Misha Medvedchuk (clarinet)
Jack Feng and Oscar Ruiz (violin and cello)

Tickets are good for all 3 concerts on Sunday, March 3

Adults - $15
Students - $5
Seniors - $5
MYSP Students - Free

Purchase tickets

Purchase tickets

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Plough Hall

Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center

2:00PM Concert - Prelude Strings, Intermezzo Orchestra, and Concert Band 

5:00PM Concert - String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble

7:30PM Concert - Youth Symphony featuring Concerto Competition Winners:

Emma Kerr (violin)
Misha Medvedchuk (clarinet)
Jack Feng and Oscar Ruiz (violin and cello)

Tickets are good for all 3 concerts on Sunday, March 3

Adults - $15
Students - $5
Seniors - $5
MYSP Students - Free

Purchase tickets

Please join us for Symphony ReDefined, the MYSP’s annual fundraising event!

Featuring a silent auction and musical performances by Mark Edgar Stuart, Susan Marshall, River City Flutes, and MYSP students. Food & drink available for purchase.

All proceeds go to the MYSP.

Free! Please RSVP here.

Location: Crosstown Concourse East Atrium
1350 Concourse Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
Free parking in the parking garage on Floors 2 and above.

A holiday concert featuring the ensembles of the MYSP!

Purchase tickets here

General Admission $15
Students/Seniors $5