Professional Development Program for Conductors

The Program and Who It Is For

SWL established the Professional Development Program in 1992. Since then we have arranged over 270 concerts for about 130 conductors with 27 orchestras in six countries. We pride ourselves on offering the personal service for which Symphonic Workshops is justly renowned, and for meticulous attention to detail, honed over 16 years of operation.

The Professional Development Program is designed to enhance conductors' experience by placing them with a professional European orchestra. It isideally suited to:

• teachers who wish to broaden their PROFESSIONAL orchestra experience

• advanced students who wish to broaden their experience

• competition entrants who wish to try out their competition pieces

• university/conservatory faculty who wish to conduct a professional orchestra

• conductors who would like to try out large-orchestra repertoire

• conductors of professional orchestras who wish to broaden theirexperience and repertoire

Not only do these placements provide valuable experience, but several participants have been invited back to their "host" orchestra, or in some cases another orchestra, for guest appearances.

How the Program Works

Placements include a public concert with all associated rehearsals (normally four or five rehearsals, occasionally three rehearsals of four hours each). Some orchestras also require submission of a videotape and acceptance or otherwise is at the discretion of the orchestra. Orchestras generally provide a list of their available dates before each season, but it is also often possible to accommodate special date requests for conductors with limited availability.

Mid-summer (Aug-Sep) concerts are generally not available, but dates are
always available in May and June, occasionally July.


The Orchestras

At present the participating orchestras are in Bulgaria and Rumania, occasionally the Czech Republic, and range from 15 string players to approximately 65 musicians. Standards of playing, and other conditions, vary from placement to placement. However, the vast majority of conductors
who have done concerts under PDP have been very positive about the experience, and many have participated several times. (See "What the Conductors Say..." )

Placements are also available in Germany, including in leading halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie and Leipzig Gewandhaus. Contact us for further details.

Repertoire

Repertoire is to be mutually agreed upon between conductor and orchestra management. Conductors generally submit a number of program suggestions and the orchestras try to accommodate a conductor's first or second preference where possible. Conductors may have to supply the parts for more unusual repertoire, or repertoire still subject to copyright, and will need to pay copyright/rental fees as applicable.

Many orchestras require the inclusion of a concerto, which will be provided by them. Conductors are generally welcome to bring their own PROFESSIONAL STANDARD soloist (who must be approved by the orchestra). This will give you some choice in the concerto.

Fees & Applications

Fees are charged in US Dollars except in Bulgaria and Romania where they are charged in Euros. The fees range from US$2750 to $3950 and Euros 1950-2050 depending on the
size and location of the orchestra. Upon acceptance by the host orchestra, a deposit of 50% of the fee is required to hold the placement. The balance is payable three months before the first rehearsal. 

Videotaping of concerts for personal use only, using one's own camera, is generally allowed fee-free in most locations. "Personal use" includes tapes for audition purposes, but does not include posting on the Internet, on YouTube or equivalent. In Bulgaria an optional translator/minder can be provided for the entire placement period, on and off the podium (75 Euros). In Rumania optional tourism is available for $75.

There is a Registration Fee of US $50. While every effort is made to arrange a placement, no guarantee of placement is made.

TRAVEL AND HOTEL COSTS are the responsibility of the conductor. However, hotel costs are very low (usually US $35-$60 per night, depending on the country; the orchestras can sometimes obtain special rates).

In our experience Romania and Bulgaria are trouble-free. However,
participants are advised to take out full health and travel insurance.

For further information please contact Tanya Tintner at gtintner@dal.ca or Tel (902) 423-4639.


Inquiries can also be sent by email to info@symphonicworkshops.com



What the Conductors say...

"I am happy to say that this Bulgarian concert and the Czech workshops
have raised some eyebrows of board members of some search committees. I
didn't go to Bulgaria expecting that it would help my career (I went for
the experience) but it actually has. I'm one of three finalists for a
music director job (north-east USA), and the first thing they asked me in
the interview was about my European experiences. It seems that going to
Europe impresses people for some reason or another." 
MH, USA

"A lovely town, and a most cooperative orchestra. A very good ensemble. A
pleasure." {Pleven, Bulgaria]
MK, USA

"The orchestra played their ass off.  Unlike other venues they actually
accepted instructions about phrasing, etc. and did not inform me that "we
don't play it your way," as I have experienced elsewhere. After the
concert a room in the lobby of the hall was used for a party. Many (most)
of the orchestra attended.  There was food and beverages.  Music was
played for dancing and at the end two string players did their gypsy
music thing while a special Romanian dance was performed by everyone.  It
was a hoot. I hope to return here." JB, USA

"I had a great time in Romania.  The orchestra [Sinfonia Bucarest] is good
and young - conductors should go expecting to really WORK with them.  They
are very open to working hard."
RB, USA

"When I first read of PDP a few years ago, your descriptions of exactly
why one would want to take part in such a program were very convincing:
the experience of appearing with a professional orchestra in a
professional setting, etc. Sure, as you say (on both your old and new web
pages), the orchestras are of varying talents.  But, to mentally prepare
for such an experience is challenging to the many academic and community
orchestra conductors out there who want to take the next
step...compressing their usual 8 to 10 week rehearsal program into 4 days
of intensive, critical rehearsal...great for improving rehearsal
technique, especially for those experiences where a conductor does not
speak the language of the orchestra, and baton technique says all."
JM,USA

"First of all, I have to thank you many many times for giving me this
opportunity. Everything was very well organized and I had really no
trouble neither with the travel nor with the stay in Vratca.... The work
with the orchestra was very pleasant, and the musicians were very kind to
me during rehearsals and pause, and also in town when I met them from time
to time, because the center of Vratca is quite small. The concert was a
real success, I think... The orchestra gave me applause and bravos on
stage after Schubert and Beethoven, and many musicians came to me after
the concert to heartfully give me their congratulations. The audience,
although not very very big, gave many applause and finally stand after
Beethoven. As you see, I was happy with the work of the orchestra and I
think they played well. Finally I can only thank you very sincerely for
this fantastic program, the PDP, that you drive with great skill, and I
would encourage anyone who wishes to enhance his experience in conducting
to take part in this program." 
PS, Switzerland

"Just came back from Poland. Very good orchestra, I had wonderful time
there! "
TL, USA

"I had a fabulous time! The entire orchestra and manager congratulated me,
wished me well, etc. I was invited to the home of the concertmaster and
she and some others took me to Sozopol one day! I really enjoyed making
music with this orchestra.... they love music so much, and keeping the
focus there is what they live for; that made our concert, and my
experience very rich.  " 
CK, USA

"I'm back from Walbrzych. The concert was very successful and I'm very
happy with it. ... The atmosphere was friendly and everything went very
smoothly.  Finally it was a pleasant experience. Thank you, and let's keep
in touch." 
SR, Italy

"It was great! It was among the best PDP concerts I've conducted so far.
The orchestra was responsive and presented an excellent performance! Most
of the soloists - student winners from the local conservatory - were
impressive.  We had a great working relationship... The concert hall in
Zabrze [Poland] was almost full that evening; we the performers surely
enjoyed playing in front of the big crowd and receiving their enthusiastic
ovations! Another memorable ovation I've received as PDP conductor was in
Marienbad {Czech Republic] last March - the Casino was fully packed with
well-dressed tourists and the orchestra in turn gave them their best and
made me look very good... " 
TL, USA

" [My soloist] and I felt very comfortable during our entire visit to
Vratca [Bulgaria]. The apartment was a very nice place to stay, to study,
and to relax. Natasha was especially helpful and kind. In addition to
being the interpreter during the rehearsals, she went everywhere with us,
taking us to the best restaurants and even preparing us a dinner at her
apartment....  Altogether, the week in Vratca was most memorable and very
pleasant. I have fond memories. " 
JM, USA

"I just returned from Vratca and must tell you how very impressed I was
with their hospitality. I was escorted from and to the airport, train
station, etc, taken to folk group rehearsals, school music classes,
shepherd's farms, and local craftsmen. Everyone I came in contact with was
very friendly and most anxious to show their country in a positive light.
... the concert went very well. The soloist was excellent. I recommend the
experience... for anyone interested. " 
CJ, USA

"For the musical experience, and the personal experience, I wouldn't have
missed it [Bulgaria] for a million dollars."
JM, USA.