SCHEDULE THIRD EDITION

PRE-SELECTION

• 30 November 2026 – Deadline application
• 1 March 2027 – Announcement participants

APPLY FROM 1 SEPTEMBER HERE

2 - 4 JULY 2027 - LIVE SELECTION ROUNDS

Quarter Finals – 2 & 3 July 2027

Sinfonia Rotterdam & 24 Conductors
Jurriaanse Hall | de Doelen, Rotterdam

Repertoire

  • Dvořák – string serenade, Op22 – I Serenade moderato
  • Tchaikovsky – serenade for strings Op48 – II Waltz
  • Wirén – Serenade for Strings, Op11 – I Praeludium & IV Marcia
  • Bacewicz – concerto for strings
  • Crawford Seeger – Andante for strings

Semi Finals – 4 July 2027

Sinfonia Rotterdam & 24 Conductors
Jurriaanse Hall | de Doelen, Rotterdam

Repertoire

  • Mozart – Der Schauspieldirektor
  • Mozart – La Clemence de Titus
  • Mozart – Idoménée
  • Beethoven – Symphony No3 ‘Eroica’

22-25 SEPTEMBER 2027 – ACADEMY 1

The career development will also feature a number of academy weeks, where introductions are given to orchestras, conductors and other key-figures of the classical music world.

10-13 JANUARY 2028 – ICCR X LEAD LAB HELSINKI

The Finnish Lead Foundation directed by conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste supports emerging conductors through mentoring programs, Lead Labs and the Fiskars Summer Festival. From 10 to 13 January 2028 an ICCR x Lead Lab will be hosted in Helsinki where the designated winners will work with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

18-23 APRIL 2028 – ACADEMY 2

The career development will also feature a number of academy weeks, where introductions are given to orchestras, conductors and other key-figures of the classical music world.

23-25 JUNE 2028 – ICCR X DRESDNER PHILHARMONIE

DRESDNER PHILHARMONIE

Main Hall | Kulturpalast, Dresden

During this project the six conductors will each present a 20-minute program during a concert, with two rehearsals each. Throughout the project they will receive direct feedback from distinguished conductors.

REPERTOIRE

Selection 1

  • Dvořák Symphony No No7 – I Allegro Maestoso
  • Janáček – Taras Bulba No1 – Death of Andri

Selection 2

  • Dvořák Symphony No No9 – I Adagio – Allegro Molto
  • Janáček – Taras Bulba No2 – Death of Ostap

Selection 3

  • Dvořák Symphony No No8 – I Allegro con Brio
  • Janáček – Taras Bulba No3 – The Prophecy and death of Taras Bulba

22-23 AUGUST 2028 – ROUND 1 CLASSICAL

Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century

Main Hall | de Doelen, Rotterdam

During the classical round, the six conductors will each present a 20-minute program together with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century.

REPERTOIRE

Selection 1

  • Schubert – Symphony No5- I Allegro
  • Haydn – 93 ‘Fart’ – II Largo cantabile
  • Farrenc – Symphony No2 – III Scherzo. Vivace

Selection 2

  • Haydn – 94 ‘Surprise’ – II Andante
  • Schubert – Symphony No5 – III Menuetto – Allegro molto – trio
  • Farrenc – Symphony No3 – IV Finale. Allegro

Selection 3

  • Haydn – 96 ‘Miracle’ – II Andante
  • Farrenc – Symphony No 3 – III Scherzo. Vivace
  • Schubert – Symphony No5 – IV Allegro Vivace

24-26 AUGUST 2028 – ROUND 2 PROMS

Sinfonia Rotterdam

Stadspodium Rotterdam

A free entrance open air concert: the Proms. The six conductors are given a free hand to put together a program with only three conditions: there must be a personal story and it must be accessible to a wide audience.

27-28 AUGUST 2028 – ROUND 3 CONTEMPORARY

Ensemble Modern

Jurriaanse Hall | de Doelen

In this round each conductor will present one movement from Webern 5 pieces opus 10, a new commission by Dutch composer Anne-Maartje Lemereis, as well as one of the following three key works:

PROGRAM

  • George Benjamin: At First Light – II
  • Nina Šenk – Baca II
  • Lutosławski – Chain I

30-31 AUGUST 2028 – ROUND 4 OPERA

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra / Laurens Symfonisch & 5 vocalists from the International Vocal Competition ’s-Hertogenbosch

Grote zaal | de Doelen

The ultimate test: in this round, the conductors do not only work with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, but also with the Laurens Symphony Chorus and five singers of the International Vocal Competition. Each conductor will perform a 15-minute selection Selection from VERDI.

REPERTOIRE

1 - 3 SEPTEMBER 2028 – ROUND 5 LARGE SYMPHONIC

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra & violinist

Main Hall | de Doelen

Six designated winners will perform one movement of a Prokofiev violin concerto during the first concert and one finale movement of a Brahms Symphony during the second concert. Followed by the award ceremony.

REPERTOIRE

CONCERT 1

  • Prokofiev – Violin Concerto No 1, Op19 – mvmt 1 Andantino
  • Prokofiev – Violin Concerto No 1, Op19- mvmt 3 Moderato
  • Prokofiev – Violin Concerto No 2, Op63 – Mvmt 2 Andante Asai

CONCERT 2

  • Brahms Symphony No2 – IV Allegro con Spirito
  • Brahms Symphony No3 – IV Allegro
  • Brahms symphony No4 – IV Allegro energico e passionate

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