International Orchestral Lied Summer Academy & Competition 2027

Overview

An intensive masterclass and competition 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 Promenade Concert, Academy Concert, or Master Concert.

· All participants perform in the Promenade Concert, Academy Concert, or Master Concert.
· Video and audio recording available on request.

Dates

7–15 August 2027 (Promenade Concert & Academy Concert: 14 August, Master Concert: 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
· All participants perform with the orchestra in the Promenade Concert or Academy Concert (14 August), or the Master Concert (15 August) 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  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 (Meisterkonzert)

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.

Awards

The following prizes are awarded to the top three participants in the Competition:

• First Prize: Approximately 15-20 minutes of performance time in the Master 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 Master Concert. 50% discount on tuition for the next Summer Academy & Competition.
• Third Prize: Approximately 10 minutes in the Master Concert.
• All other participants: One work from the repertoire list, performed with orchestra in the Promenade Concert or Academy Concert.

Fees

Video Audition Fee

• €150 (general and student)

Tuition — General

• €1,200 (by 30 Sep 2026: €900  |  by 31 Dec 2026: €1,080)
  The audition fee (€150) is credited toward the total tuition.

Tuition — Students aged 25 or under

• €900 (max. 5 places)

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

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