What you need for a composition workshop

A composition workshop needs more than instruments and sheet music. Participants also need a clear workspace, something to write on, reliable access to power, and equipment for listening back to their ideas. This checklist covers the practical supplies behind the workshop: keyboards, guitars, percussion, laptops, headphones, printing materials, presentation equipment, and recording tools. Check quantities against your participant list, then test shared equipment before the room opens.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 22
Reception desk

Equipment

Digital piano
MIDI keyboardsqty 4
Laptopsqty 8
Headphonesqty 8
Portable speaker
Microphone
Projector
Projection screen
Audio recording device
USB sticksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 8

Music equipment

Music standsqty 12
Acoustic guitarsqty 3
Percussion instrumentsqty 6
Metronomesqty 4
Tuning fork
Instrument cablesqty 6
Pensqty 30
Pencilsqty 30
Erasersqty 20
Notebooksqty 20
A4 printing paperqty 250
Ring bindersqty 20

Presentation

Whiteboard
Whiteboard markersqty 6
Sticky notesqty 10

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 25
Drinking glassesqty 25
Platesqty 25
Cutlery setsqty 25

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3
Serving traysqty 3
Scissorsqty 4
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Mini cucumbers - 3 packs
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 1 kilo
- Plain hummus - 2 tubs
- Gluten-free crackers - 2 packs
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 24 pieces
- Napkins - 3 packs
- Paper cups - 50 pieces
- Paper plates - 50 pieces
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Dishcloths - 4 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet paper - 2 packs

Tips

Plan one writing setup per participant: provide a notebook, pencils, pens, and an eraser for each person, plus spare stationery for late registrations or lost items.
If participants work digitally, match one laptop, MIDI keyboard, headphone set, and charging cable to each active workstation. Test every connection before the workshop rather than discovering missing adapters during an exercise.
Set aside at least one music stand for each printed part or demonstration instrument. Print worksheets and scores before the day, and bring extra A4 paper for last-minute copies.
Count power points before arranging the room. Use extension cords and power strips where needed, but keep cables away from walkways and label shared chargers so they do not disappear between sessions.
Prepare presentation and playback equipment together: projector, screen, whiteboard, markers, speaker, microphone, and audio recorder. Test the microphone and recording levels with the actual room layout, not only at the desk.

Frequently asked questions

What stationery do I need for a composition workshop?: Prepare one notebook, two pencils, one pen, and one eraser per participant. Add at least 10% spare supplies, especially if registrations may change on the day.
How many laptops and MIDI keyboards are needed?: Provide one laptop and one MIDI keyboard for each participant who will compose digitally at the same time. For a group of 12, that means 12 laptops, 12 MIDI keyboards, 12 headphones, and 12 charging cables.
How much printed material should I bring?: Print one copy of every worksheet or score for each registered participant, then add two or three spare copies per document. Print at least one extra set for the teacher or supervisor.
When should I test the workshop equipment?: Test the projector, audio equipment, recording device, keyboards, cables, and charging setup at least one day before the workshop. Do a second five-minute sound and display check after the room is fully arranged.

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