Masterclass

International Masterclass for Choral Conducting

1st to 5th of December 2021

For the very first time in Lithuania is organised a masterclass for choral conductors. International choral festival “Cantate Domino” in its program this year includes an educational program and offers training courses with the well-known conductor Gary Graden from Sweden and the professional choir from Lithuania – State Chamber Choir of Šiauliai “Polifonija”. Participants are exposed to the essential skills for professional choral work and given the opportunity at the beginning of their careers to gain practical experience with a professional ensemble.

Eight active students will study challenging choral literature and present the results of their work in a public final concert.

The first two days of the course are reserved for individual lessons, the following three days are devoted to working with the State Chamber Choir of Šiauliai “Polifonija”. The masterclass is aimed at young conductors (up to the age of 35) who are in the final years of their studies, have already graduated or actually begun their careers.

Aims of the International Masterclass for Choral Conducting

Young choral conductors are introduced to all aspects of professional choral work. During the International Masterclass for Choral Conducting, you learn:

Score study
Interpretation
Conducting technique and gesture as it affects sound, breath, intonation, articulation, rhythm and dynamic
Vocal technique in choral singing
Aspects of tuning and intonation
Rehearsal techniques

What awaits you?

During the first two days, the focus lies on the preparation and stocktaking of the selected active master students. The active master students have prepared the entire masterclass repertoire well. This will be acquired in these two days at the piano under the direction of the master teachers.

The public masterclasses with choir will take place over the following 3 days.

The active master students each conduct a work from the International Masterclass repertoire.

The masterclass will end with final concert.

Repertoire

Agneta Sköld – Barnet föddes i ett stall

Agneta Sköld – There is no rose
Sven-David Sandström – To see a world
Michael Waldenby – Dulce Lumen (from Liber Ecclesiastes op 49, Nr. 4)
Vaclovas Augustinas – Hymne à Saint Martin
Vaclovas Augustinas – Jerusalem, surge
Vytautas Miskinis – Dum medium silentium
Algirdas Martinaitis – Sanctus
Eriks Esenvalds – Magnificat/Nunc Dimittis (Musica Baltica MB 2058)

Arvo Pärt – The Deer’s Cry (Universal Edition UE 33723)

Course languages – English

Travel and accomodation

All master students are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation.

Organisers can offer you the best options of accommodation and meals.

Information on application

Active participants

Eligibility to apply

Young conductors in their final years of study, graduates and professional conductors up to the age of 35.

Costs

Application fee (payable until 31st of October, 2021): 35 EUR

Registration fee (upon acceptance for active participation payable until 15 of November 2021): 550 EUR

Banking details

Kauno klubas “Cantate Domino”

193073082

Prancuzu st. 41, Kaunas 44434

IBAN:LT60 7044 0600 0308 6334

Bank code: AB SEB 70440

SWIF code:

CBVILT2X

Please ensure that possible bank charges will not be deducted from the application or registration fee (in the case of foreign transfers). Please also take note of the other conditions of application and participation.

Application procedure

Online application form https://forms.gle/5RsBxqo24pv3PJFaA

Via online application form until 31th of October, 2021

Eight students are selected for active work from the list of applicants.

Gary Graden (Sweden)

Gary Graden is presently Director of Music in the Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) and S:t Jacob´s church. He has also been on the faculty of Stockholm´s Musikgymnasium where founded and conducted the Stockholm Musikgymnasium´s Chamber Choir. With this choir and the S:t Jacobs Chamber Choir he has won grand prizes and first prizes in several of Europe´s most prestigious competitions, including the European Grand Prize.

He has also participated in a wide array of national and international festivals including the Tolosa Festival in Spain, the IFCM World Symposia in Minneapolis and Kyoto, Sagra Musicale Umbra in Italy, Debrecen Festival in Hungary, Koorbiennale in Holland, the ACDA National Convention in USA, and is currently artistic director of the international choral festival La Fabbrica del Canto in Legnano.

Šiauliai State Chamber Choir “Polifonija”

The State Chamber Choir “Polifonija” is one of the most famous Lithuanian professional choirs. The choir is founded on the 31st of December 1974. That day was held the first concert of the Early Lithuanian music ensemble that grew into a beautiful tradition – the annual New Year concerts. The vocal ensemble of Early Music, founded by conductor Sigitas Vaičiulionis, was the only ensemble in Lithuania to sing compositions by Renaissance and Baroque composers. Initially, the ensemble was supported by Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute and later by Šiauliai Higher Music School.

Current artistic director and conductor Linas Balandis.

1st of December
Afternoon/evening – meeting of participants and masterclass leader, pianist.
2nd of December
Afternoon/evening – preparation with piano and masterclass leader.
3rd of December
Rehearsal with the choir. Each participant can work with the choir. (Session friday afternoon, friday evening)
4th of December
Morning – meeting with participants only.
Afternoon/evening session with the choir
5th of December
Afternoon – rehearsal in concert place (20 minutes each in the rehearsal).
Evening – final concert.
6th of December – departure.

Lituania Cantat

Cantate Domino

Festivals: