International Conducting Masterclass 2027 — closing concert at Saitama Arts Theater
Japanese-German Philharmonic Society · Seit 1991

⚠  Notice

Due to a technical error in several of our website contact forms, enquiries submitted between May 27 and June 26 may not have reached the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society.
As a result, we are extending the Super Early Bird tuition rate for the International Conducting Masterclass 2027 until July 31. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.If this may apply to you, please resend your message.

Conducting Masterclass · Internationaler Dirigiermeisterkurs

Japanese-German Philharmonic Society

International Conducting Masterclass 2027

Study through Piano, Ensemble, and Orchestra Sessions

April 29 – May 7, 2027 (9 Days)  |  Saitama Arts Theater, Japan
Faculty:  Naoki Sugiyama

The masterclass is open to conductors and instructors of orchestras, wind ensembles, and choirs, as well as students aspiring to become conductors and professional musicians. There are no restrictions regarding conducting experience, instrumental proficiency, educational background, or age. However, a fundamental knowledge of music theory (rudiments, basic harmony, and instrumentation) is required. Applicants can choose to attend the full programme, or only the first or second half. Please note that there is a capacity limit for partial attendance. Auditing is open to everyone.

Masterclass Overview

The Japanese-German Philharmonic Society Conducting Masterclass 2027 will be held from April 29 to May 7 at the Saitama Arts Theater, Japan.

Target Participants & Eligibility

The programme is designed for conductors of orchestras, wind ensembles, and choirs, conducting students, and professional or amateur musicians. While there are no formal prerequisites for age or degree, participants must possess the following minimum musical knowledge:

  1. Proficiency in reading Treble and Bass clefs.
  2. Understanding of all major and minor key signatures.
  3. Knowledge of note values and various time signatures.
  4. Basic understanding of chord types, inversions (triads, 7th, 9th, diminished 7th chords, etc.), and cadences (T-D-T, T-S-T, T-S-D-T).

Capacity & Application Period: 20 participants (max. 22)

Applications for both active participants and auditors will be accepted starting May 1, 2026. Registration is processed in the order of tuition payment. Enrolment will close once capacity is reached. Applications for auditing remain open until April 30, 2027.

Podium Time & Programme Structure

All active participants will conduct the orchestra at the final closing concerts. Through daily sessions (approx. 7 hours including breaks), each participant receives an average of 15–25 minutes of podium time per day. Total time includes rehearsals and performances for the closing concerts.

Note: actual time may vary depending on repertoire. Total time includes final concert rehearsals and performances.

Important Notice

If enrolment does not reach the minimum number of participants, individual podium time may be reduced accordingly. We appreciate your understanding.

Masterclass participant conducting the orchestra on stage
Lessons with 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

The Symphonische Akademie is a professional orchestra whose members respond immediately and precisely to each conducting gesture — giving you real, unfiltered feedback on your technique with every beat.

Many conducting courses offer podium time. What makes the difference is the quality of what happens when you raise your baton. When the orchestra plays exactly what you conduct — and only what you conduct — you discover very quickly what you actually know and what you still need to work on. This is what separates a course that advances your conducting from one that merely gives you the experience of standing in front of an ensemble.

Before applying to any conducting course, it is worth asking: How many players will be in the orchestra? Are they full-time professional musicians? Will they respond to your conducting, or to a set interpretation they already know by heart?

Symphonische Akademie full orchestra on stage
Symphonische Akademie
Conducting lesson at the piano with faculty
Lessons with Piano
Scene from the closing concert performance
Closing Concert

Repertoire

Group A — Ensemble & Small Orchestra (first half)

  • Haydn: Symphony No. 22 in E♭ major "The Philosopher"
  • Haydn: Symphony No. 26 in D minor "Lamentoso"
  • Stravinsky: Suite from L'Histoire du soldat (Chester)

Group B — Full Orchestra (second half)

  • Wagner: "Prelude and Liebestod" from Tristan und Isolde (Dover)
  • Wagner: "Siegfried's Funeral March" from Götterdämmerung (Dover)
  • R. Strauss: Tone Poem Don Juan Op. 20 (Dover)

Group C — Bruckner

  • Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor (Old Complete Edition, published by the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society)

All participants are expected to prepare the full repertoire for their chosen section. When applying, please indicate your 1st and 2nd choice of works within Groups A and B. (Repertoire is subject to change.)

Naoki Sugiyama conducting the orchestra during a rehearsal
Faculty: Naoki Sugiyama (Japan)

Schedule: April 29 – May 7, 2027

    Programme A: April 29 – May 2

  • April 29: 9:30–17:00 — Lessons with Ensemble / Small Orchestra
  • April 30: 9:30–17:00 — Lessons with Ensemble / Small Orchestra
  • May 1:   9:30–17:00 — Lessons with Ensemble / Small Orchestra
  • May 2:   9:30–17:00 — Lessons with Ensemble / Small Orchestra

    • Programme B/C: May 3 – May 7

  • May 3:   9:30–17:00 — Lessons with Piano
  • May 4:   9:30–12:30 — Lessons with Symphony Orchestra 1
  • May 4:   14:00–17:00 — Lessons with Symphony Orchestra 2
  • May 5:   9:30–12:30 — Lessons with Symphony Orchestra 3
  • May 5:   14:00–17:00 — Lessons with Symphony Orchestra 4
  • May 6:   14:00–17:00 — Final Concert Rehearsal
  • May 6:   18:00–21:00 — Final Concert 1
  • May 7:   14:00–17:00 — Final Concert Rehearsal
  • May 7:   18:00–21:00 — Final Concert 2

Fees & Cancellation

Tuition Fees (General)

  • Full Programme — Super Early Bird (payment by 31 July 2026): €1,100
  • Full Programme — Early Bird (payment by 30 September 2026): €1,300
  • Full Programme — Regular (payment by 31 March 2027): €1,500
  • Programme A only: 29 April – 3 May (max. 5 participants): €600
  • Programme B/C only: 3 May – 7 May (max. 5 participants): €1,000

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
  • Programme B/C only: 3 May – 7 May: €600

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Application

Please fill out the form below. In the "Subject" field, write Conducting Masterclass 2027 — Active Participant or Auditor. In the "Message" field, include a brief musical CV. Applications by fax are not accepted.
We will send you bank account details by return. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of the full payment.

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

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