Wednesday, May 13, 2026
7:30 PM
Each year, the Emerging Composers Competition (hosted by San Diego New Music) solicits musical scores from college-age composition students across the San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. They select the most promising young composers to write a brand-new work for their annual concert dedicated to the music of local students.
Former executive director and current board member of San Diego New Music Eric Starr reports: “The goal from the outset was, and still is, to provide undergraduate college composers with a platform for their work to be heard outside the university.” The composers must either study at a college in San Diego or, if studying elsewhere, have graduated from a San Diego County high school. Starr says, “The local talent is immense and San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum can be proud to be part of the ecosystem that nurtures such talent.”
The composers are selected from a pool of applicants and compose an original piece for the concert. Professional performers collaborate with the composers in the rehearsal process just as they would with a professional composer and do everything they can to honor the music. All pieces in the program are world premieres.
Come join us to hear the emergent voices of new classical music in San Diego!
San Diego New Music invites composers to apply to the Emerging Composers Workshop in Spring 2026. In this program, students will participate in a three-part seminar with San Diego State University (SDSU) music composition professor Dr. Texu Kim. The workshop will culminate in a public reading session of new works by selected high school students, featuring a San Diego New Music (SDNM) professional ensemble, on Wednesday, May 13, at the Athenaeum Art Center in Logan Heights. This workshop is free for the selected composers.
Seminar Dates and Time:
April 8, 15 & 22 at SDSU, 5–7 PM
Public Reading:
May 13, Athenaeum Art Center (1955 Julian Ave, 92113), 7:30 PM
To be considered for the Public Reading Session, participants must accomplish the following:
1. Be enrolled in a San Diego County high school
2. Submit one representative work including a score and, if available, a recording by March 8, 2026
3. Submit a statement demonstrating eligibility and interest in the workshop, including which school they currently attend
4. Submit a brief recommendation from a music teacher or professional musician who knows about their work and ambition
Submissions are requested to be sent to Eric Starr at ericstarr@sandiegonewmusic.com.
About San Diego New Music:
San Diego New Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the public performance of notated music of the highest integrity and artistic caliber from the 20th and 21st centuries. We seek to advance the art form by promoting music composed with conceptual rigor, passionate energy and singular artistic vision. SDNM enriches the artistic culture of San Diego through the presentation of an annual concert series and the soundON Festival of Modern Music, and through fostering its resident performing ensemble, NOISE.
In 1994, the only place in San Diego where you could hear an entire concert of 20th-century music was on a college campus. San Diego New Music pitched the idea of a concert series devoted to modern music and 20th-century classics at the Athenaeum. The concerts of modern music perfectly complement the exhibitions of modern art held in the Athenaeum’s galleries. In 1996, San Diego New Music presented its first season. The series was called "Noise at the Library," and the ensemble would later adopt the name, as well. San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum have been happily co-presenting concerts of new music ever since.
For more information on the organization go to www.sandiegonewmusic.com.
The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Art Center. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. Priority seating will be given to Donor level members and above.
Ticket Confirmation Notice:
Your reservation is not complete until you receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your tickets have not been reserved. Please check your inbox and spam/junk folder or contact us at info@ljathenaeum.org or (858) 454-5872 to ensure your booking is finalized.
Thank you!