I.S.A.M. Competition & Masterclass

My Story:

Last summer (2016), I was granted the incredible opportunity to travel overseas to participate in the International Summer Academy of Music (I.S.A.M.).  I spent two weeks working with other composers from all around the globe and collaborated with world-class performers to compose a piece of music to submit to the Joseph Dorfman Composition Competition. Each composer had only 10 days to write a piece for this international competition and my piece was awarded 2nd Place! It was a profound experience that I will carry with me forever.

Since I placed in the top three, I have been offered a scholarship to return and compete again. This scholarship covers my tuition for the two-week masterclass, but –as a full-time student– I have been unable to muster the funds to pay for the rest of the expenses for the trip.

How You'll Help:

Even though I've been given a scholarship, there are still many expenses involved with traveling abroad:

-Registration
-Round-trip Flight
-Train Tickets
-Food Expenses
-Lodging

These costs add up so quickly! When I traveled last year, it took every last scrap of my savings in order to make it work. This year it will just not be possible for me to do so alone.

What This Means to Me:

When I participated at I.S.A.M last year, I grew immeasurably as a composer. It gave me so much more confidence in my capabilities and pushed me to my creative limits. I have just accepted an offer to continue my studies pursuing a Master's Degree in Composition at DU and I attribute a huge part of this success to participating at I.S.A.M. last year. Participating a second time this summer will not only be a strong addition to my resume, but it will help me grow and sculpt my craft even further. It is also an amazing opportunity to network and forge connections with world-class musicians and performers around the globe, which is an incredibly valuable thing as a 21st-century composer. And lastly, participating will also give me the opportunity to gain some recognition that will help pave the way for a fruitful career in music.

Time is Running Short: 

Flights and travel costs only get more expensive by the day. So Time is of the essence!

My Thanks:

All I want from this trip is to a chance to grow further as a composer and person. I want a chance to represent my University another time, and ultimately, I want another chance to win! Your Generosity will take me one step closer to those goals, and so I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart for even taking the time to read and consider this! 

Links to my Websites:
http://tylerwigginton.com
https://soundcloud.com/tyler-wigginton-1