LCSO Young Composer Program

Logan City Symphony Orchestra (LCSO)

In 2026, the Australian Youth Composers Program (AYCP) will partner with the Logan City Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) and composers Craig Allister Young and Joe Twist to deliver a mentorship program for Logan high school students in composition and orchestration. Participants will create short works based on all things celestial to be performed at a concert at Canterbury College on June 11th 2026, conducted by Lewes Peddell. Finalists from within the program will have their work added to a main-stage LCSO concert on October 4th.

How to Apply

To apply you need to send a Musescore or Sibelius file, showing skills in composition and orchestrations to: craig@aycp.com.au

Applications close on the 16th of March.

Program Overview

Each student will develop a short work (3 minutes) based on a celestial theme. The available instrumentation includes:

Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
Percussion: Timpani, one additional percussionist
Strings

Mentorship and Development

Throughout the project, students will receive:

Four one-on-one or small-group mentoring sessions with professional composers • A live reading with orchestra to hear the work-in-progress
A final rehearsal leading to a public performance with the Logan City Symphony Orchestra

Both the live reading and final performance will be professionally recorded for participants’ personal use.

Learning Outcomes

By the conclusion of the project, students will have developed practical skills in:

Composition and developing musical ideas
Orchestration for symphony orchestra
Collaboration with conductors and symphonic musicians

This program offers a comprehensive, professional-level creative experience, culminating in the performance by an Australian Symphony orchestra.

Program Orchestra

Logan City Orchestras (LCO)

Logan City Orchestras (LCO) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating vibrant orchestral opportunities across the City of Logan. As an inclusive and community-driven initiative, LCO is being developed to support a multi-ensemble structure designed to foster musical excellence, education, and engagement across all ages and ability levels.

LCO is home to the Logan City Symphony Orchestra (LCSO)—our premier ensemble—as well as in the future a range of smaller ensembles and project-based groups. We invision these to include chamber music initiatives, youth development ensembles, and cross-genre collaborations that reflect the rich cultural diversity of the region.

Driven by a passionate team of musicians, educators, arts workers, and volunteers, LCO operates on a project-based model, enabling flexible and high-quality participation across the year. We work closely with local venues, community partners, and arts organisations to build pathways into orchestral music and celebrate the creative talent within Logan.

Important Dates

Monday 16th March – Applications close
Sunday 22nd March – Applications chosen and announced
Sunday 29th March (10:00-1:00) Initial composing lesson with Craig Allister Young and Joe Twist. Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Music classroom)
Tuesday 21st April – Mentor session 1 (4:00-6:00) Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Music classroom)(Students present first draft)
Tuesday 19th May (4:00-7:00) Mentor session 2 Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Music classroom)(Students present orchestration)
Sunday 24th May – 6:00-9:00pm (Conservatorium students only) 4MBS studio, 384 Old Cleveland Rd, Coorparoo
Sunday 31st May – Draft for live-reading sent to Craig for editing
Friday 12th June – (Time tbc) Live reading with LCSO. Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Auditorium) Session recorded and sent to composers.
Tuesday 23rd June (4:00-7:00) Mentor session 3 Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Music classroom)(Discuss recordings with students and suggest changes)
Tuesday 28th July (4:00-7:00) Mentor session 4 Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Music classroom)(Discuss final draft)
Sunday 16th August – final draft due (Scores sent to Craig for final edit)
Friday 4th September (Time tbc) LCSO rehearsal Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Auditorium) (Optional for composers)
Friday 11th September – 6:30-8:30) Concert with LCSO. Venue: Canterbury College, 182 Old Logan Village Rd, Waterford QLD 4133 (Auditorium)
Sunday 4th October – LCSO “Celestation” concert