International Conducting Lab+Competition–Bulgaria!

All Ages Welcome

By Special Invitation Only

Monday 7 June – Thursday 10 June, 2027

LOCATION:“Maestro Georgi Atanasov” Concert Hall Pazardzhik Center, bul. “Bulgaria” 2, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

TUITION: 1700 Euros

REPERTOIRE: Symphony no. 1 [BEETHOVEN], Symphony no. 1 [GOUNOD], Symphony no. 1 in C minor [MENDELSSOHN]

1st Prize: 2500 euro (paid on the spot)

Honorable mention certificate awarded to audience favorite

All 12 selected conductors will conduct all four days and also on the final concert

Winner decided by jury and orchestra vote

In case of a tie, the five member jury will vote to break the tie and declare a winner

Minimum of 50 minutes of uninterrupted podium time with the Pazardjik Symphony Orchestra

Three video review sessions

DAILY SCHEDULE

Monday through Wednesday: 10:00-13:00 Rehearsal; 14:30-15:30 Video review session & Roundtable Discussions

Thursday: 15:30 General rehearsal; 18:30 Final Concert!

COMPETITION RULES

  • No minimum or maximum age requirement.
  • Each day, candidates will be assigned by lottery a movement of GOUNOD, BEETHOVEN, or MENDELSSOHN.  Each day the announcement of the assignment will be given on the spot.
  • Each candidate will conduct a movement from each symphony over three days. The candidate will have 10 minutes of uninterrupted podium time these three days. Candidates will conduct the full orchestra every day.
  • The candidates will be assigned a movement to conduct for the final concert which they will also get to rehearse at the dress rehearsal (also uninterrupted). The candidate will be informed of their assigned movement for the concert a day in advance so that they can adequately prepare.
  • The Jury will comprise 50% of the vote (500 points), while the orchestra will comprise the other 50% of the vote (500 points). The candidate with the highest number of total points (1000 points is the maximum score) will be awarded 1st prize.
  • All participants will receive written feedback from each jury member and from orchestral musicians.
  • Competition results are final.

JURY MEMBERS*

Grigor Palikarov
Music Director & Conductor
Pazardjik Symphony Orchestra (Hungary)

Nse (EN-say) Ekpo
Music Director & Conductor
Sumter Symphony Orchestra (USA)

* there will be three more jury members in addition to the two listed here