The Cascais & Oeiras Chamber Orchestra will host, from October 12 to 24, its I International Academy of Orchestra Conducting, which includes a competition for young conductors. It aims to grant the opportunity of working with a professional orchestra and with two renowned conductors by their pedagogic and artistry.
The Academy is divided in two courses:
BASIC LEVEL - Directed to university-level music students, from the orchestra conducting branch or instrument finalists, it consists in a theoretical and technical introductory preparation.
SUPERIOR LEVEL - Directed to young conductors or composers, it aims to broaden their experience in orchestral practice, deepening competences. During the rehearsals, the young conductors will be oriented by the teachers, and through an evaluation, get the chance to participate in the Competition by the end of the course. Finally, three of these selected participants will have the chance to perform on stage with a professional orchestra.
During both courses, students will learn the basic conducting gestures, how to prepare the scores, how to organize the rehearsal tasks, how to interpret and behave on stage. The participants will also work on the articulation and expression between the different instrument families, as well as matters regarding style and personal approaches to the repertoire, which includes great works of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven,Mendelssohn and Britten.
By the Atlantic, in the beautiful Monte Estoril neighbourhood and at the great facilities of the Cascais Music Conservatory, all participants will enjoy a high quality work with two experienced conductors and a great orchestra.

UPDATE: Due to the current conditioning regarding COVID-19, the whole date of the event was transferred to October.

Superior Level

○ W. A. Mozart
Symphony no.º 40 in G Minor, KV. 550
○ L. V. Beethoven 
Symphony no.º 1 in C Major, Op. 210
○ F. Mendelssohn 
Symphony no.º 4 in A Minor, Op. 90 “Italiana”

Prizes

Given to the 3 winners of the Competition

○ 3rd prize - 100% of the cost of the course
○ 2nd prize - 600€ + 100% of the cost of the course
○ 1st prize - 1000€ + 100% of the cost of the course + conducting a concert of OCCO's season

Diploma and Recordings

All participants will receive a participation diploma with the number of hours of the course.
Participants may also request a video with the recording of their performance for the cost of 80€.

Prices

Applications until July 1st

○ Payment of 50% with the application and the other 50% in the beginning of the course.
○ Participants who pay the total amount with the application get 5% of discount.
○ Vacancies are filled by order of payment receipt.
○ The application is approved after an evaluation of the candidate's curriculum. He will then receive a confirmation email with the payment instructions.