International Conducting Masterclass 2027

International Conducting Masterclass 2027: Overview

The Japanese-German Philharmonic Society International Conducting Masterclass 2027 will take place from 29 April to 7 May at Saitama Arts Theater.

Eligibility

For detailed eligibility requirements, please see the FAQ.

Places & Registration: 20 participants (max. 22)

Registration opens 1 May 2026 for both active and auditing participants. Places are allocated in order of payment receipt. Applications close when full. Auditor registration closes 30 April 2027.

Programme and Podium Time

Lessons begin with a piano and chamber ensemble in which the participants themselves take part. This is followed by conducting lessons with a professional ensemble and chamber orchestra, before moving on to lessons and practical work with the symphony orchestra.

All participants perform in concert with the professional orchestra. Through daily lessons (approx. 7 hours including breaks), each participant receives an average of 15–20 minutes of podium time per day. Concert assignments are determined by assessment during the lessons prior to the orchestra rehearsals.

The 3–5 participants judged to be outstanding will conduct one complete work at the Master Concert on the final day (a single-movement work in full, or a complete symphony or one to two movements). All other participants will conduct for approximately 10 minutes each at the Academy Matinée or Academy Concert on the previous day.

※ Podium time varies according to each participant's level and the duration and difficulty of the assigned works. Time with the symphony orchestra includes both rehearsal and concert performance time. The minimum guaranteed podium time is 50 minutes; the maximum podium time for the participant judged most outstanding and assigned to the Master Concert is 150 minutes.

Note

If enrolment falls below capacity, lesson time may be shortened accordingly.

Venue

Saitama Arts Theater, Saitama City, Japan

Director: Naoki Sugiyama

Conductor, Director of the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society
Former guest conductor, Dohnányi Symphony Orchestra & Moravian Philharmonic

Orchestra

Symphonische Akademie of the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society

Schedule: 29 April – 7 May 2027

Programme A: 29 April – 2 May

• 29 Apr   9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
• 30 Apr   9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
• 1 May    9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
• 2 May    9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra

Programme B/C: 3–7 May

• 3 May    9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Piano/Ensemble
• 4 May    9:30–12:30 — Orchestra lesson
• 4 May   14:00–17:00 — Orchestra lesson
• 5 May    9:30–12:30 — Orchestra lesson
• 5 May   14:00–17:00 — Orchestra lesson
• 6 May   13:30–15:00 — Academy Matinée Rehearsal
• 6 May   15:30–17:30 — Academy Matinée
• 6 May   19:00–21:00 — Academy Concert
• 7 May   14:00–17:00 — Master Concert Rehearsal
• 7 May   19:00–21:00 — Master Concert

Repertoire

1. Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra (Programme A)  -A-

• Haydn — Symphony No. 22 in E-flat major "The Philosopher"
• Haydn — Symphony No. 26 in D minor "Lamentatione"
• Stravinsky — Suite from The Soldier's Tale (Chester)

2. Orchestra (Programme B)  -B-

• Brahms — Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (Dover)
• Wagner — Lohengrin: Prelude to Act I & Prelude to Act III (Dover)
• Wagner — Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude to Act I & Prelude to Act III (Dover)
• Wagner — Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act I and Liebestod (Dover)
• Wagner — Götterdämmerung: Siegfried's Funeral March (Dover)

-C-

• Bruckner — Symphony No. 8 in C minor (old complete edition reprint by the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society)
• R. Strauss — Tone poem Don Juan, Op. 20 (Dover)
• Webern — Passacaglia, Op. 1 (Universal, Philharmonia)

Each participant must prepare all repertoire for their chosen programme. When applying, please specify your first and second preferred works from Groups A, B, and C for the main conducting assignment. (Repertoire is subject to change.)

Tuition, Auditing & Cancellation Fees

Tuition Fees (General)

• Full Programme — Early Bird (payment by 30 September 2026): €1,300
• Full Programme — Regular (payment by 31 March 2027): €1,500
• Full Programme — Regular (payment after 1 April 2027): €1,650
• Programme A only: 29 April – 3 May (max. 5 participants): €600

Tuition Fees (Students 25 and under, including music college & graduate students. The student category closes once any section reaches 5 participants.)

• Full Programme: €800
• Programme A only: 29 April – 3 May: €350

Auditing Fees

• Per day: €60
• All days: €300

Cancellation Policy

• Until 31 October 2026: Free
• Until 31 December 2026: €300
• From 1 January 2027: 100% of tuition fee

Q&A

Frequently asked questions

How to Apply

Please use the form below. In the subject line write "Conducting Masterclass 2027: Active" or "Auditor". In the message, please include your date of birth and a brief musical biography. Applications by fax are not accepted.
Bank details will be provided by return email. Please transfer the full tuition fee (or auditing fee for the relevant number of days). The date of payment is the official registration date.

Enquiries & Applications
If you use Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail or Outlook, please check your spam folder for our reply.

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