Walla Walla Symphony

SPARK! is a free online composition course geared toward brand new through advanced young composers in grades 3-12.

The Summer Session will take place from June 30 - August 4, 2025.

Throughout each session, participants will meet via Zoom for private lessons with Kristin Vining to develop an individual project. Participants will also meet in groups once each month to explore improvisational and compositional techniques together. By the end of the course, the participants will have an original musical composition ready to share at an online music showcase. 

The Course will consist of the following elements, all conducted online:

• ONLINE ORIENTATION (June 30, 4:00 pm PT)
  An introductory meeting with all participants to go over the different elements of the course, and give composers a head start on brainstorming their composition.
• PRIVATE LESSONS (flexible scheduling)
  Study music composition with Kristin Vining. In your lessons Kristin provides individual attention to help you start, develop, and complete your project. Schedule lessons at your convenience using an online Calendly sign-up form.
• GROUP CLASS & COMPOSERS WORKSHOP (July 7 and July 21, 4:00pm PT)
  Both events are encouraged but optional for all participants. Meet other young composers, build your composer toolbox, study music theory & explore composition techniques, and workshop your compositions-in-progress.
• ONLINE SHOWCASE (August 4, 5:00 pm PT, 4:30 call time)
  Share your new work! Friends and family are invited to join.
  Present a PDF and computer-generated sound file of your new composition. Hear an excerpt of your piece performed live by a WWS musician! This event is recorded and the recording is shared with all participants. 

You will receive a link to the Zoom Orientation and Group Classes in the confirmation email after you register. Please contact us if you do not receive this email (also be sure you've clicked "Submit" as it can be a bit tricky to see at the end of filling out your registration.)

You'll receive the invitation to schedule your private lessons after Orientation, and links to attend the final Showcase will be sent the week before the event.