The Young Composers Seminar at Arcosanti is a week-long workshop which provides an opportunity for talented young composers to study and work with professional musicians and mentor composers in the inspiring Arizona high desert and the dramatic architectural environment Arcosanti provides. The seminar culminates with a performance in the Colly Soleri Music Center featuring the work of the participants.
Recording sessions provide each young composer with a tape of the work performed.
Every year since 1993 young composers, composer mentors and professional musicians have traveled from all over the United States and even abroad to take part in this seminar. Days are filled with group discussions, rehearsals and private sessions with the musicians for each participant. Participants are given the opportunity to present his or her piece and talk about the body of work completed and planned. Other participants and the musicians provide critique from different perspectives. Various social functions ranging from dinners to pool parties to the annual BBQ which has become a midweek tradition fill out the week and give musicians and composers the opportunity to be a part of the Arcosanti community during their stay.