NOI+F Conducting Academy

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About • Apply + Audition • 2024 Repertoire • Faculty • Fees

About

The NOI+F Conducting Academy provides training and mentorship for emerging conductors. Selected conducting fellows will work with conductors Marin Alsop and Mei-Ann Chen in a variety of settings including seminars and conducting sessions (with piano and string quintet and also with chamber orchestra). Fellows will have the opportunity to work alongside resident composers to prepare public performances of contemporary music. 

As a conducting fellow, you can expect the following activities over the course of the week: three seminars/discussions, three conducting labs (with piano/string quintet), two chamber orchestra rehearsals in preparation for a public concert and multiple rehearsal observations led by Marin Alsop with the NOI Philharmonic.

Auditors may attend all sessions, but do not receive podium time. Auditors will receive private consultations with Mei-Ann Chen to review their conducting videos and receive individualized feedback. 

Age: All who are 18 or older by June 22, 2204 may apply. The typical age range for NOI+F is 18 - 30. 

Key Dates

  • November 1, 2023: Conducting Academy application opens

  • February 6, 2024: Conducting Academy applications are due

  • March 1, 2024: Applicants will be notified of audition results

  • June 22 – June 30, 2024: Program dates

Enrollment 

  • Up to 6 conducting fellows

  • Up to 20 auditing participants

Apply + Audition

  • Resume (2 pages maximum)

  • A letter of recommendation addressing your musicianship.

  • Letters of recommendation may be submitted directly with your application OR emailed to noi@umd.edu by your recommenders. Please have them include the subject line, "Letter of Recommendation, 'Your Name'." 

  • Video excerpts of your conducting showing at least 2 contrasting works, each no longer than 3 minutes. Total video should not exceed 6 minutes. All videos must be front-facing, from the point of view of the orchestra. The conductor should occupy at least 1/5 of the total frame in the conducting video submitted.

  • A document describing the works contained on the video, including repertoire, date/location of the performance or rehearsal and ensemble.

Please also submit a front-facing video recording (iPhone quality is fine) of you simultaneously singing and conducting the following short excerpt: Beethoven Symphony no. 9 from the beginning of Mvt. III, Adagio molto e Cantabile up to mm. 25, Andante moderato. NOTE: This may not be easy to sing, but please do your best!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

2024 Repertoire

  • Ludwig Van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125

  • Gustav Mahler: Symphony no. 1 in D major

  • Additional works written by NOI+F composition fellows

Faculty

One of the foremost conductors of our time, NOI+F Music Director Marin Alsop is internationally recognized for her inspiring artistry, innovative programming, deep commitment to education and audience development and powerful advocacy for the importance of music. The first woman to serve as the head of a major orchestra in the United States, South America, Austria and Britain, she currently serves as chief conductor of Austria’s ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor of honor of Brazil’s São Paulo Symphony Orchestra and the first chief conductor and curator of Chicago’s Ravinia Festival. In her 14-year tenure as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, she led the orchestra’s first European tour in 13 years, conducted more than two dozen world premieres and founded multiple change-making initiatives, including OrchKids, a music education program for the city’s most disadvantaged youth.

Praised for her dynamic, passionate conducting style, Taiwanese American conductor Mei-Ann Chen is acclaimed for infusing orchestras with energy, enthusiasm and high-level music-making, galvanizing audiences and communities alike. Music Director of the MacArthur Award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta since 2011, Ms. Chen has been Chief Conductor of Austria’s recreation - Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte since fall 2021, following two seasons as the orchestra’s first-ever Principal Guest Conductor, making her the first female Asian conductor to hold this position with an Austrian orchestra. Since 2019, she has served as the first-ever Artistic Partner of Houston’s ROCO and became an Artistic Partner with Northwest Sinfonietta in Washington starting in fall 2022. Highly regarded as a compelling communicator and an innovative leader both on and off the podium, and a sought-after guest conductor, she has appeared with distinguished orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe, Taiwan, The United Kingdom, and Scandinavia, and continues to expand her relationships with orchestras worldwide (over 120 orchestras to date).

Fees

Fees and tuition for the Conducting Academy include:

  • Early Bird Fee (Before Dec 15, 2023): $50

  • Standard Fee (Dec 15, 2023 and later): $70

  • University of Maryland students apply with no fee! Email noi@umd.edu for further instructions.

  • Fellowship tuition: $950

  • Auditor tuition: $495

Fellows and auditors are responsible for arranging travel to and accommodations in College Park, MD. NOI+F staff will provide nearby suggested options upon acceptance. Please note: travel and housing options/requirements may be updated due to local health and safety guidelines with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing

  • Conducting academy fellows are responsible for procuring their own housing in College Park, MD during their residency. Sublets for the duration of the NOI+F Conducting Academy near the University of Maryland campus can be found through a variety of websites. A list of resources will be provided to all fellows upon acceptance. Other housing options may be available through UMD Greek Life Housing.

Parking

  • Participants that wish to park their car on the University of Maryland campus will be required to purchase a parking permit from the University. Campus parking fees are set by the University’s Department of Transportation and are not under the purview of NOI+F. Discounted satellite parking options will be made available closer to the festival. More information will be made available regarding the cost and specific parking locations upon acceptance.

  • A 50% deposit will be required upon acceptance. The remaining balance will be due on or before May 15, 2024.

  • Tuition assistance is available for fellows demonstrating financial need.  

Questions + Additional Information

If you have additional questions or would like additional information, contact us at noi@umd.edu or 301.405.2317.

NOI+F is subject to University of Maryland COVID-19 guidelines. At this time, UMD does not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. However, COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended. We encourage fellows, faculty and staff to assess their personal COVID-19 health risk and take appropriate measures. Additional information can be found here: https://umd.edu/4Maryland