Very Young Composers

Very Young Composers (VYC) is a program that celebrates children’s creativity by providing them with the tools they need to transform their musical ideas into finished compositions. Students are encouraged to use composing as a tool for self-expression and discovery, eventually hearing their original musical works rehearsed and performed by experienced musicians live in a Showcase Celebration at the end of each year’s program!

Founded at the New York Philharmonic through the vision of composer Jon Deak, VYC aims to empower children and celebrate their creative potential. Fourth and fifth grade students from Central Wisconsin (Portage, Wood, and Marathon counties) come together for a two-week program that introduces the students to the musical basics of melody, rhythm, and sound. 

The CWSO is proud to continue the impact that VYC makes in the lives of Central Wisconsin youth!

Inspired by the vision of Jon Deak and the model created in New York, Robert (Bob) Rosen brought the program to Stevens Point in 2010. Under Bob’s leadership and guidance, VYC of Central Wisconsin has impacted hundreds of young musicians and enabled them to create original compositions that are then performed live for their friends and family to witness.

VYC has partnered with the faculty and students of the UWSP Music Department since its inception. Each January, UWSP music majors serve as VYC Teaching Artists, assisting the lead instructors with the musical concepts and scribing of the young composers’ musical ideas.

Our current lead instructors are Schuyler Pietz and Jeannete Brown. The VYC assistant program director is Alexandria Mueller.