THE FAIRBANKS SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

is happy to announce:

Composing in the Wilderness 2026

presented in collaboration with:
Alaska Geographic
The Denali Education Center
Denali National Park and Preserve

DATES: July 19 through July 31, 2026
COST: $2,950

Your registration covers all transportation during the program and most meals. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to/from Fairbanks, any necessary clothing, and some meals.

EXPLORE THE INSPIRING WILDERNESS OF ALASKA'S BACKCOUNTRY, COMPOSE MUSIC ABOUT IT, AND HAVE IT PREMIERED BY TOP PERFORMERS… ALL IN UNDER TWO WEEKS!

WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU:

Building on lots of improvements we made in the last two years, and led by adventurer-composer Stephen Lias, the two-week experience happens in three “movements”.

I. INSPIRATION

You’ll spend four days exploring in the backcountry of Denali National Park traveling with scientists and naturalist guides who help interpret this amazing place. You’ll get dirty, stretch out of your comfort zones, and have the time of your lives.

The idea is to provide the most inspiring experience possible, with new information, transformative experiences, new friendships, and spectacular surroundings. For this portion, we partner with Alaska Geographic to provide rustic housing, food, and safety while in the park. Early in the trip, everyone draws an instrumentation out of a hat so they know what they’ll be composing for.

II. CREATION

You’ll then move to the beautiful campus of the Denali Education Center where you can clean up, have food and comfortable housing, and concentrate on your composition. Everyone has three full days to write chamber pieces inspired by their experience.

The DEC Campus is just 20 minutes from the park entrance, and has a mercantile store, a large lodge with restaurants, nearby hiking trails and plenty of natural beauty all within walking distance. We’ll provide quiet spaces for everyone to work.

III. CULMINATION

Once the works are complete, you will relocate to Fairbanks and meet up with our talented musicians. All the pieces are rehearsed for a few days and then performed. Our musicians are top experts (mostly from New York City), and the performance will be recorded (take a look at our previous years to see samples).

While in Fairbanks, you will have the opportunity to attend other concerts and events presented by the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, and visit John Luther Adams’ iconic composition installation The Place Where You Go to Listen.

The eight new pieces are performed first in Fairbanks, and then the next day in the Denali National Park Visitors Center.