Overview
· All participants can perform in the Festival Concerts.
· Video and audio recordings are available upon request.
Dates
August 14–21, 2026 (Festival Concert: August 21)
Lessons with piano, ensemble, and orchestra
Venue
Saitama Arts Theater, Saitama, Japan
Faculty: Naoki Sugiyama
Conductor / Chairman of the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society
Former Guest Conductor of the Dohnányi Orchestra and Moravian Philharmonic
Orchestra
Symphonische Akademie of the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society
Target Audience & Eligibility
Open to conductors and instructors of orchestras, wind ensembles, and choirs; conducting students; and professional or amateur musicians. No restrictions on experience, ability, or age. Basic music theory knowledge is required. Auditing is open to everyone.
- Ability to read notes in Treble and Bass clefs.
- Knowledge of all major and minor key signatures.
- Ability to identify note values and time signatures.
- Understanding of basic chord types and cadences (T-D-T, T-S-T, T-S-D-T).
Capacity & Application Period: 20 participants (max. 22)
Applications accepted from November 1, 2025. Places allocated in order of payment. Auditor applications close July 30, 2026.
Each participant receives approximately 20 minutes of podium time daily (7 hours of lessons per day, including breaks).
Programme Content
· Lessons and score analysis with piano
· Practical training and Festival Concerts with orchestra
All participants will conduct the orchestra in the Festival Concerts and receive a Certificate of Completion (Zertifikat).
Schedule: August 2026
- 14th: 14:00–19:00 — Analysis and lesson with Piano
- 15th: 9:00–17:00 — Analysis and lesson with Piano
- 16th: 9:00–17:00 — Analysis and lesson with Ensemble
- 17th: Day off
- 18th: 9:00–12:30 — Orchestra lessons
- 18th: 13:30–17:00 — Orchestra lessons
- 19th: 9:00–12:30 — Orchestra lessons
- 19th: 13:30–17:00 — Orchestra lessons
- 20th: 13:30–17:00 — Orchestra lessons and Festival Concert rehearsal
- 20th: 18:30–21:00 — Festival Concert 1 (Faculty)
- 21st: 13:30–17:00 — Rehearsal and Festival Concert 2 (Participants)
- 21st: 18:30–21:00 — Festival Concert 3 (Participants)
Repertoire
- Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major (Old Complete Edition)
- Mahler: Kindertotenlieder (Old Complete Edition)
- Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn (Old Complete Edition)
- Mahler: Rückert-Lieder (Old Complete Edition)
- Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn (Breitkopf or Dover)
- Beethoven: Overture Egmont (Breitkopf or Dover)
- Kodály: Dances of Galánta (Universal/Philharmonia)
Participants must select at least one complete work (Symphony, Variations, or Overture) and at least two songs from the song cycles. Full cycles may be selected, but final choices may depend on the participating singers.
Fees & Cancellation
Tuition Fees (General)
- €1,200 (Regular)
- €1,000 Early Bird — pay by March 30, 2026
Tuition Fees (Students under 25)
- €600
Auditing Fees
- Per day: €60 | All days: €300 (approx.)
Cancellation Policy
- Until December 31, 2025: Free
- Until June 30, 2026: €300 cancellation fee
- From July 1, 2026: No refund
Application
Please complete the form below. In the Subject field, write Summer Academy 2026 — Active Participant or Auditor. In the Message field, include a brief musical CV. Applications by fax are not accepted.
Bank details will be provided upon receipt of your application. Registration is confirmed on the date payment is received.
Enquiries & Applications
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