Overview
An intensive competition and masterclass for singers performing Romantic German Lied with a professional orchestra. Beginning with piano accompaniment and progressing through ensemble and orchestral rehearsals, all participants perform in the Festival Concerts.
· All participants perform in the Festival Concert.
· Video and audio recording available on request.
Dates
7–15 August 2027 (Festival Concerts: 14–15 August)
Rehearsals with piano, ensemble, and orchestra
Venue
Saitama Arts Theater, Saitama City, Japan
Director: Naoki Sugiyama
Conductor, Director of the Japanisch-Deutscher Musikfreunde
Former guest conductor, Dohnányi Symphony Orchestra & Moravian Philharmonic
Languages
Japanese · English · German
Orchestra
Symphonische Akademie of the Japanisch-Deutscher Musikfreunde
Eligibility
Open to professional singers and advanced vocal students. Orchestral experience is not required, but a standard equivalent to music university graduation level is necessary.
Places
- 20 participants (maximum 24)
Application & Selection Process
Applications open 1 August 2026. Bank details for the video audition fee will be provided upon enquiry. The date of payment is the official registration date. After receipt, an email address for submitting your video will be provided. Please upload a video of yourself performing German Lied (approx. 10 minutes) to YouTube or a similar platform and send us the link.
Results will be notified within approximately one month. Successful applicants should pay the remaining tuition fee to the same account; the audition fee will be credited toward the total. The audition fee is non-refundable if unsuccessful.
Programme
· Rehearsals with conductor and piano
· Daily individual and group sessions (time per participant varies with total enrolment)
· Rehearsals with conductor and ensemble
· Rehearsals with conductor and orchestra
· Performance in the Festival Concert
All participants perform with the orchestra in the Festival Concerts and receive a certificate of participation (Zertifikat).
Schedule — August 2027
- 7 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Piano rehearsal
- 8 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Piano rehearsal
- 9 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Second round (piano)
- 10 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Rehearsal with conductor and ensemble
- 11 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Rehearsal with conductor and ensemble
- 12 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Rehearsal with conductor and orchestra
- 13 Aug 13:30–17:00 — Rehearsal with conductor and orchestra
- 14 Aug 9:30–12:30 — Festival Concert rehearsal
- 14 Aug 14:00–16:30 — Festival Concert 1
- 15 Aug 9:30–12:30 — Festival Concert rehearsal
- 15 Aug 14:00–16:30 — Festival Concert 2
Practice studios are available daily from 9:00 to 21:30 on a rotating basis.
Repertoire
Round 1 — Video audition:
Two German Lieder of your choice (total approx. 10–15 minutes; one fast, one slow).
Round 2 — With piano accompaniment:
Two works designated from the list below according to voice type.
Final — With orchestra:
Two works of your choice from the list below.
- Mahler
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen Bar./Mez.
Kindertotenlieder Bar./Mez.
Des Knaben Wunderhorn (voice type varies by song)
Rückert-Lieder (voice type varies by song) - R. Strauss
Ruhe, meine Seele Op. 27-1 Sop. · C major
Cäcilie Op. 27-2 Sop. · E-flat major
Morgen! Op. 27-4 Sop./Ten. · G major
Liebeshymnus Op. 32-3 Sop. · B major
Verführung Op. 33-1 Sop./Ten. · E major
Pilgers Morgenlied Op. 33-4 Bar. · E-flat major
Das Rosenband Op. 36-1 Sop. · A major
Ich liebe dich Op. 37-2 Ten. · E-flat major
Meinem Kinde Op. 37-3 Sop. · G major
Mein Auge Op. 37-4 Ten. · F major
Wiegenlied Op. 41-1 Sop. · D major
Muttertänderei Op. 43-2 Sop. · F major
Des Dichters Abendgang Op. 47-2 Ten./Bar. · D-flat major
Freundliche Vision Op. 48-1 Bar./Ten. · D major
Waldseligkeit Op. 49-1 Sop. · G-flat major
Ich wollt ein Sträusslein binden Op. 68-2 Sop. · F major
Säusle, liebe Myrthe Op. 68-3 Sop. · G major
Amor Op. 68-5 Sop. · G major
Das Bächlein Op. 88-1 Sop. · G major - Wolf — Goethe Songs (orchestral version)
Der Rattenfänger Ten./Bar.
Prometheus Bar.
Mignon I & II Sop./Mez.
Harfenspieler I, II & III Bar.
Anakreons Grab Ten./Bar.
Awards
The following prizes are awarded to the top three participants in the Competition:
- First Prize: Approximately 15 minutes of performance time in the Festival Concert. Free invitation to the next Summer Academy & Competition, with the opportunity to perform: sopranos — R. Strauss Vier letzte Lieder (complete); altos and tenors — Mahler Das Lied von der Erde or Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (details on request).
- Second Prize: Approximately 10 minutes in the Festival Concert. 50% discount on tuition for the next Summer Academy & Competition.
- Third Prize: Approximately 10 minutes in the Festival Concert.
- All other participants: One work from the repertoire list, performed with orchestra in the Festival Concert.
Fees
Video Audition Fee
- ¥25,000 / approx. €150 (general and student)
Tuition — General
- ¥200,000 / approx. €1,200
Early bird by 30 Sep 2026: ¥150,000 / approx. €900
Early bird by 31 Dec 2026: ¥180,000 / approx. €1,080
The audition fee (¥25,000) is credited toward the total tuition.
Tuition — Students aged 25 or under
- ¥150,000 / approx. €900 (max. 5 places)
Cancellation
- Until 31 December 2026: free of charge
- Until 30 April 2027: ¥50,000 / approx. €300
- From 1 May 2027: full tuition fee
How to Apply
Please use the form below. In the subject line write "Summer Academy & Competition 2027 — Vocal". In the message, include your name, nationality, age, voice type, and a brief musical biography (schools, teachers, etc.).
Bank details for the audition fee will be provided by return. The date of payment is the official registration date.
An email address for submitting your video link will then be provided. Please upload a German Lied performance (approx. 10 minutes) to YouTube or a similar platform and send us the URL.
Results will be notified within approximately one month. Accepted applicants should transfer the remaining tuition to the same account (audition fee will be deducted from the total). The audition fee is non-refundable if unsuccessful.
Enquiries & Applications
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