The National Jazz Orchestra (ONJ) is organizing the fifth edition of the Composition Academy in April 2026.
This academy takes the form of a nine-day intensive workshop to support eight composers in writing an original piece. The workshop consists of masterclasses, group discussions, and individual lessons.
Each of the pieces composed will be performed at the end of the course by the musicians of the ONJ Youth Orchestra during a public recital.
For this fifth edition, trainees will be supervised by Frédéric Maurin (Ping Machine, artistic director of the ONJ from 2019 to 2024) and Stéphane Payen (Thôt, The Workshop, head of the Jazz and Improvised Music department at the CNSMDP), under the supervision of Sylvaine Hélary (artistic and general director of the ONJ since January 2025).
Four masterclasses will be given by Marc Ducret, Sarah Chaksad, Ying Wang, and Fabrizio Cassol.
The Academy also offers an introductory workshop on conducting.
Dates
April 17 to 25
Beneficiaries
Professional musicians of all ages, from diverse artistic backgrounds and horizons, who already have significant experience in composition (regardless of the type of ensemble) and wish to deepen, question, or renew their practice.
Numbers
The workshop is open to eight composers, who must attend the entire workshop (including the preparatory meeting scheduled via video conference).
The masterclasses will also be open to guest students.
Location
• Masterclass and tutoring: Paris Conservatory of Music and Dance (75019).
• Rehearsals and performance: Pina Bausch Conservatory in Montreuil (93100).
Schedule and content
• Composition for combo and large ensemble
Each intern will be assigned a tutor who will assist them in writing their piece.
Frédéric Maurin will assist four trainees planning to write a piece for a large ensemble, and Stéphane Payen will assist four trainees planning to write a piece for a combo (between four and six musicians).
• Tutoring
Private lessons with the tutor to further develop composition work with personalized advice.
• 4 Masterclass
With Marc Ducret, Sarah Chaksad, Ying Wang and Fabrizio Cassol.
A documented and reflective look at an aspect of musical language explored by the composer in their working methods.
• Introductory workshop on conducting
led by an experienced conductor.
• Composition time “in situ”
Trainees will have access to workrooms to develop their compositions.
• Exchange workshop – Female composers
A workshop led by Sylvaine Hélary will be offered exclusively to female composers from the Academy as a space for discussion and exchange on the challenges of being a composer of creative and jazz music today: career paths, obstacles encountered, and professional prospects.
• Rehearsals and public performance
At the end of the workshop, the composers will conduct their pieces in concert. Rehearsals will take place on Friday, April 24 for combo pieces and on Saturday, April 25 in the morning for large ensemble pieces with the ONJ Youth Orchestra, with a public performance on Saturday, April 25 at 8:30 p.m.
The masterclasses are free and open to anyone who registers as an auditor.
