Orkney Conductors’ Course 2022

This intensive course provides a stimulating and supportive environment in which conductors can share in an uninterrupted period of study. Most importantly, as part of the St Magnus International Festival, Orkney Conductors’ Course enables participants to work with outstanding orchestras, ensembles, conductors and soloists. These have ranged from the BBC Symphony Orchestra to the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the BBC Singers to the St Magnus Festival Chorus, the London Sinfonietta to the Assembly Project.  Course tutors have included  Martybn Brabbins, Sian Edwards, Charles Peebles and Alexander Vedernikov.  The course participants frequently have the opportunity to work with Festival artists ranging from singers to instrumentalists and to work on small scale contemporary repertoire.  Participants will also work with the St Magnus Composers’ Course and conduct in a Festival concert of new works written by student composers.  

Initial sessions are with two pianos, focusing on clarity of communication of musical ideas. OCC pianists are Elizabeth Burley, BBC SO, LSO pianist, and Michael Bawtree, Scottish Ballet music staff. These two-piano sessions are video-recorded and time is spent reviewing these recordings. The two-piano work prepares students for a full day of rehearsal with the Festival’s visiting orchestra. Other sessions include rehearsals of new works with resident chamber ensemble, a rehearsal with the St Magnus Festival Chorus and work with the other visiting soloists. In addition, the course provides students with the opportunity to hear composers speak about their work as well as seminars with orchestral musicians and orchestral managers. Participants are also offered free tickets for a number of Festival concerts and a Festival Club pass, where they can socialise with professional performers, directors and managers.