Concert: Mighty Young Composers

FREE 
Questions? Email HMSGeducation@si.edu. 
The Mighty Young Composers! 2026 cohort of rising 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders will present their own original compositions, performed by members of the National Symphony Orchestra and the 21st Century Consort. 
Public concert: Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, 4 PM 

ABOUT MIGHTY YOUNG COMPOSERS!
What if a painting could become a piece of music?
In this free multiday workshop, students (rising 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders) will explore how artists across disciplines inspire one another and develop the skills to create and compose their own music.
Inspired by the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers program, launched 30 years ago by composer and bassist Jon Deak, and held in conjunction with the Hirshhorn’s resident new-music ensemble, the 21st Century Consort, the Hirshhorn’s Mighty Young Composers! program is led by teaching artists Theresa Cigan, Noam Faingold, and Mikhail Johnson.

Students will:

• Explore sounds made by a variety of musical instruments
• Experiment with unique methods to communicate musical ideas to musicians
• Craft original compositions with guidance from professional musicians and teaching artists
• Hear their compositions performed by members of the National Symphony Orchestra and the 21st Century Consort at a public concert at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden