+Competition!

International Conducting Lab + Competition!

$3,000.00 PRIZE!!!

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Tuesday, June 30th, 2026

All Ages Welcome to Apply

Wednesday August 5th – Saturday August 8th, 2026

Only 12 places—open until filled

CLICK HERE TO APPLY (FREE APPLICATION)

LOCATION: 3715 E. North Street, Greenville, SC 29615

TUITION: $1750 USD

REPERTOIRE: Symphony 104 [HAYDN], Symphony 7 [BEETHOVEN]; Symphony 4 “Italian” [MENDELSSOHN]

1st Prize: $3000 USD (paid on the spot) + a shared concert in the 2026-2027 or 2027-2028 season with the Sumter Symphony Orchestra (professional chamber orchestra in South Carolina)

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 Upstate Camerata Chamber Orchestra (professional chamber orchestra).

Three video review sessions

DAILY SCHEDULE

Wednesday: 5:00pm Welcome & Introductions; 6:00pm-8:30pm Rehearsal with two pianos

Thursday: 5:00pm-5:45pm video review session; 6:00pm-8:30pm Rehearsal with two pianos

Friday: 4:00pm-6:30pm Rehearsal with full chamber orchestra; 6:30pm-7:15pm video review session

Saturday 12:30pm-1:15pm video review session; 1:30pm-4:00pm dress rehearsal with full chamber orchestra [full jury present for this rehearsal]; 6:30pm FINAL CONCERT; 8:45pm Awards Ceremony

COMPETITION RULES

No minimum or maximum age requirement.
Each day, candidates will be assigned by lottery a movement of HAYDN, 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. On Wednesday and Thursday the conducting candidates will conduct two pianists on two pianos playing reductions of the symphonies. On Friday and Saturday the candidates will conduct the full chamber orchestra.
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 PANEL