[linux-audio-user] Recommendations

Hi, I'd like to get into composition and synthesis, but I am completely new to this stuff. linux-sound.org has lots of pointers, but since I don't have much background it's hard to tell what is worth looking into. A page with example sounds or music from the various packages would be helpful I think. I am not interested in performance so real-time synthesis and instrument input are not necessary. What I would like to be able to do is create "instruments" from samples and/or various synthesis methods (or combinations thereof). I would like the ability to experiment with creating my own synthesizers as well, preferably using some kind of programming language. Then, I'd like to be able to compose music is some kind of sequencer. A "programming language" might even be fine if the syntax is nice. Real-time playback or non-real-time "rendering" of the music would both be fine. Basically I want to dabble with the synthesis/production/composition side of things, rather than performing or playing instruments. Any recommendations on what I should look at would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, - Ian.