Composers’ Workshop 2026

On 18 April, we invited students from across the country to join us for a Conducting Masterclass & Composers’ Workshop at Olivier Hall in Oxford as part of the Orchestra’s Academy Programme. 

In the morning, three students were given the opportunity to conduct the OPO and receive one-to-one teaching from our Music Director Marios Papadopoulos and feedback from our players. The students conducted movements from Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, ‘Jupiter’.  

“The OPO Composers Workshop provided an invaluable, welcoming space to hone my craft. It was great opportunity to develop my orchestral writing, made even better by an atmosphere that truly values and encourages feedback.”
Gabe Jackson

In the afternoon, we were joined by eight composition students for a Composers’ Workshop. Following a rigorous selection process, these eight students were selected to attend and were given the chance to hear their original compositions performed live by the Orchestra, under the baton of Professor John Traill. 

Each composer was allocated 25 minutes with the orchestra to hear their piece brought to life and to receive direct, professional feedback from our musicians, Prof. John Traill and our workshop advisor, Professor Robert Saxton. This experience offers insights into the practicalities of orchestral writing and helps these young composers refine their craft for their future careers. 

We were delighted to welcome students from the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Trinity Laban, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the University of Manchester.

Workshop Programme 
Nicholas Gawley Fire and Water 
Eric Davis Loose the Bands of Orion 
Gabe Jackson Hand-me-down  
Joe Jolliffe Ataraxia 
Billy James the deserter 
Yuhe An Farewell to the Shadow 
Chang Ge Hydrangea 
Josh Clark Toward the Open Plain 

Following the workshop, at least one composition will be selected to be performed in the OPO’s 2026/27 season. 

The Orchestra wishes to acknowledge the incredible support of The Michael Marks Charitable Trust in delivering our annual Composers’ Workshop. The support of the Trust is vital in helping the OPO to foster the next generation of musical talent in Oxfordshire and beyond. 

“The OPO Composers’ Workshop was a rare and precious opportunity to hear my music come to life with a professional orchestra, especially for an early career composer.”
Chang Ge

You can learn more about all our Academy Programme projects here.

All photographs in this article were taken by Nicholas Posner.

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