The 2024 8th edition is open in the following categories, with a maximum of 16 participants with the orchestra for each session:
1. Instrumental. Students may opt for one of three categories:
- solo with orchestra
- chamber music/orchestra member
- 1 week solo with orchestra and 1 week chamber music/orchestral
Participants in the “Solo with Orchestra” category must have up to two works prepared. One should be for a small-medium size orchestra such as Classical/Early Romantic/Baroque repertory (Mozart, Haydn, Stamitz, Boccherini, Schumann, Beethoven, JS Bach, CPE Bach, etc.) and the second work may be from the Romantic/20th century repertory (Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvorak, Elgar, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Ravel). The soloists may collaborate with experienced apprentice conductors. Availability of orchestral parts is vital, please check with the festival if you have any concerns. Some works require a high rental fee from the publisher which will be the responsibility of the soloist. Upon your application, if there are repertory challenges, the Academy staff will be in touch.
Each participant in the “Solo with Orchestra” category will receive 4 rehearsals/week with the orchestra (20 minutes x 3 and 10 minutes x1), and a minimum of one public performance of at least one movement of a concerto (maximum 10-12 minutes).*
Participants may choose to do one week “solo with orchestra” and one week “chamber music/solo recital.” See application form.
Note: If only one work with orchestra is prepared, students will participate in the solo/chamber music category for the second week.
2. Composition: up to four resident composers: two with the orchestra, and two with chamber ensembles. Works will be rehearsed and performed by the orchestra or faculty. Each piece accepted by the Academy will receive 4 rehearsals/week with the orchestra (20 minutes x 3 and 10 minutes x1) and one public performance of 10-12 minutes.*
3. Piano
– solo with orchestra OR – chamber music/solo recital.
Each participant in the “Solo with Orchestra” category will receive 4 rehearsals/week with the orchestra (40 minutes x 3 and 10 minutes x1) and a minimum of one public performance of at least one movement of a concerto (maximum 10-12 minutes or each performer for the performance).*
5. Vocal (one week lieder, one week solo with orchestra). One-week participants may opt for either track.
Each participant in the “Solo with Orchestra” category will receive 4 rehearsals/week (20 minutes x 3 and 10 minutes x1), with the orchestra and a minimum of one public performance of at least one aria (maximum 10-12 minutes). * Depending on the repertory selected, each rehearsal will be between 15-20m minutes. In addition, the soloists will have 2-3 rehearsals with the conductor and/or piano as necessary. Masterclasses will be offered by the faculty, with an additional masterclass with a guest singer from the Bulgarian National Opera. Each faculty will design the masterclass schedule to benefit each student.
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Each participant in the “Chamber Music” category will receive 4 rehearsals/week with a chamber group and one public performance of at least one movement from the standard repertory. String players may also play in the orchestra during the morning rehearsals and “International Musicians” Participant Concerts. All players also participate in daily masterclasses for additional performance opportunities and to benefit from feedback from the faculty and peers. Each faculty will design the masterclass schedule to benefit each student and may include private lessons (schedule permitting).
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The tuition for the one-week participants is $1600 + $50 application fee. Additional fees apply for transportation from and to the airport ($100 each way), video/audio recordings (upon request), and day trips.
*Tuning and stage entrance/exit are part of the time allotted.