Master Class in Conducting: Audition Requirements

Conductors are chosen for the 9-12 positions through a competitive audition process. Those interested in applying will need to submit the following elements:

• Click here for the Master Class Audition Application Form 2012
• 3 copies of a DVD showing  rehearsals and concerts featuring chorus, orchestra, or combined ensembles.
• Two letters of reference from professional contacts who can comment on your conducting ability and musicianship. (Letters can be mailed or emailed separately to the addresses below.)
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of significant repertory and performances you have conducted, giving a picture of your conducting career as it currently stands.

The DVD showing conducting and rehearsal technique is the most important part of the application. The video must demonstrate the applicant’s technique and musicianship as a rehearsal technician and conductor. The following guidelines apply for the DVD to be submitted:

• One or more excerpts of a working rehearsal demonstrating your ability to hear and address technical musical items that need ensemble attention, such as intonation, rhythmic accuracy and precision, balance, diction, etc.
• One or more excerpts of a working rehearsal in which you are developing interpretive aspects, such as musical articulation, dynamics, phrasing, tone, etc.
• One or more excerpts of a performance, or a rehearsal in which the ensemble is ready for performance, in which all of your communication with the ensemble is through your conducting.
• In all rehearsal excerpts the camera must be focused on the conductor rather than the ensemble. This is the preference for concert footage as well, though it is not mandatory.
• DVDs MUST be in U.S. television standard (NTSC). Excerpts should be clearly bookmarked and easy to access. Labeling the excerpts for their function and work is strongly recommended. For example, the menu page might list a various chapters as “Anthem X by Composer Y – rehearsal” or “Kyrie from Mass No.1 by Composer Z – performance”. Most common DVD-burning programs provide for this type of labeling.

The ideal audition will have excerpts that show the full process of development of a work from early rehearsals to the concert. Rehearsal footage should not show a straight run through of a piece, unless concert footage is unavailable and you supplement it with more detailed rehearsal clips. The whole disc should include 20-30 minutes of video. Additional material can be included, if it is easy to navigate, but as the judges will have dozens of applications to consider, not all of it might be considered.

Click here to see additional questions other applicants have asked. Mail the Application Form, your DVDs, and your recommendation letters (if not sent directly by the recommenders) to

Oregon Bach Festival Master Class, 1257 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403

All material should be at the OBF office no later than February 15, 2012. Selected conductors will be notified by February 27 with the entire roster set by March 12. No material will be returned, so please do not send anything that is not replaceable. If you have auditioned previously or have explored sending in material, please note the changes: we no longer need audio CDs of performance or programs. The information from the programs should be included in the C.V. instead.

If you have any questions about the audition process or the class itself, don’t hesitate to contact Dave Goudy by email or phone at  541-346-5675.