Conducting Institute

The program

Highly acclaimed and respected summer institute for conductors dedicated to the world of orchestras and classical music, nine conducting scholars will be mentored by Gerard Schwarz, José-Luis Novo, Grant Cooper, and Ho-Yin Kwok. Scholars will conduct concerts, explore music with the repertory orchestra, attend seminars, and assist the resident conductors throughout the Festival.

Each week includes two sessions with a repertory orchestra giving every conducting scholar ample podium time to conduct across a broad range of repertoire. Conducting scholars also receive two performance opportunities during the festival: one overture-length work with the Eastern Festival Orchestra and a second performance, typically movements of a larger piece, with the Young Artists Orchestra.

The curriculum includes three weekly seminar: topics include score study, professional disciplines such as programming, rehearsal technique, music library operations, and working effectively with orchestral staff. Each conducting scholar also receives private instruction focused on the repertoire they will conduct with the Young Artists and Festival orchestras.

Beyond podium time, conducting scholars are fully immersed in the musical life of EFM. They are encouraged to record their rehearsals and performances, and to attend all festival concerts, master classes, and other artistic activities.

Alumni of the Conducting Institute have gone on to positions with major orchestras including Boston Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, the New World Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, San Francisco Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, the Curtis Institute, Frost School of Music, and Asia Youth Orchestra.