ANBOC 2026

Many young performers engage deeply with the notes on the page, yet have limited awareness of the creative forces that brought that music to life. This disconnect diminishes opportunities for artistic growth. As a student, encountering the “story behind the music” during an honour band clinic was transformative: discovering the composer’s intent and hearing their lived experience was the catalyst that propelled my own development as a musician and ultimately inspired me to become an educator. When we bring living composers into our educational spaces, we do more than host a guest—we create dynamic, communal experiences that energise students, directors, and composers alike, fostering a shared commitment to the music of tomorrow.

This presentation invites educators to enrich the learning environment by engaging directly with living composers. Featuring a Q&A with Ukrainian-Australian composer Cathy Likhuta, our clinician team will share approaches for integrating composers’ perspectives into rehearsals and classroom discussions, deepening artistic understanding and expanding students’ musical identities.

Composer residencies have the potential to reshape students’ relationships with music and performance. Drawing on extensive experience in Australia and internationally, composer Cathy Likhuta and conductors Nick Williams (University of Georgia) and Jackie Hartenberger (Melbourne Conservatorium of Music) will present evidence-based strategies for hosting composers in rehearsal settings. Attendees will learn practical frameworks for residency planning, rehearsal sequencing, and implementation; explore three distinct models of composer engagement; review sample itineraries; and gain actionable advice tailored to both conductors and composers. Ultimately, this session seeks to empower educators to envision ambitious collaborations with living composers and cultivate a culture that champions new musical voices - nurturing performers who will carry forward a vibrant musical future.