Overview
An intensive masterclass for conductors performing symphonies and orchestral songs by Mahler, Wagner, Wolf and R. Strauss with a professional orchestra. Lessons progress from piano and ensemble to full orchestral rehearsals, leading to the final concerts.
· All participants perform publicly with the professional orchestra. Repertoire and podium time are determined by assessment during the lessons.
· Video and audio recording available on request.
Dates
7–15 August 2027 (Promenade Concert & Academy Concert: 14 August, Master Concert: 15 August)
Lessons with piano, ensemble, and orchestra
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
Languages
Japanese · English · German
Orchestra
Symphonische Akademie of the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society
Eligibility
For detailed eligibility requirements, please see the FAQ.
Places & Registration
20 participants (max. 22). Registration opens 1 August 2026. Places are allocated in order of payment receipt. Applications close when full. Auditor registration closes 30 July 2027.
Each participant receives approximately 15–20 minutes of podium time per day in 7-hour sessions (including breaks).
Programme
Lessons begin with a piano and chamber ensemble in which the participants themselves take part. This is followed by lessons with a professional ensemble and chamber orchestra, before moving on to lessons and practical work with the symphony orchestra.
All participants perform with the professional orchestra in concert. Concert assignments are determined by assessment during the orchestra lessons.
The 3–5 participants judged to be outstanding 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 conduct for approximately 10 minutes each at the Promenade Concert or Academy Concert the previous day.
All participants receive a certificate of participation (Zertifikat).
Schedule — August 2027
- 7 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Piano/Ensemble
- 8 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Piano/Ensemble
- 9 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
- 10 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
- 11 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra
- 12 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Symphony Orchestra
- 13 Aug 9:30–17:00 — Lesson with Symphony Orchestra
- 14 Aug 13:30–15:00 — Promenade and Academy Concert Rehearsal
- 14 Aug 15:30–17:30 — Promenade Concert
- 14 Aug 18:30–21:00 — Academy Concert
- 15 Aug 14:00–17:00 — Master Concert Rehearsal
- 15 Aug 18:30–21:00 — Master Concert — top 3–5 participants conduct a complete work
Repertoire
- Mahler — Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor · Orchestral Songs (reprint by the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society)
- Wagner — Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod · Siegfried Idyll (Dover)
- Wolf — Italian Serenade · Orchestral Songs (reprint by the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society)
- R. Strauss — Orchestral Songs (reprint by the Japanese-German Philharmonic Society)
Tuition, Auditing & Cancellation Fees
Tuition — General
- €1,800 (by 30 Sep 2026: €1,200 | by 31 Dec 2026: €1,500)
Tuition — Students aged 25 or under
- €900 (max. 5 places)
Student Tuition Fee
For students aged 25 or younger on the first day of the programme, including undergraduate and graduate music students.
The student category is limited to a maximum of five participants per course and will close once this number has been reached.
As a condition of the reduced student fee, student participants are required to perform actively during the piano and ensemble sessions held before the orchestral sessions.
This participation forms part of the educational programme of the masterclass and helps provide all participants with practical rehearsal experience.
Auditing Fee
- €60 per day | €180 full course
Cancellation
- Until 31 December 2026: free of charge
- Until 30 April 2027: €300
- From 1 May 2027: full tuition fee
How to Apply
Please use the form below. In the subject line write "Summer Academy 2027 (Conducting): Active" or "Auditor". In the message, please include your name, nationality, date of birth, and a brief musical biography (schools, major, teachers, etc.). Applications by fax are not accepted.
Bank details will be provided after receipt of your application. Please transfer the full tuition fee. 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.