New York Conducting Workshop & Competition
New York Conducting Workshop & Competition
for The Respighi Prize at Carnegie Hall
The Spring Workshop & Competition is now open!
May 23-25, 2024 (May 23-30 with Carnegie Hall set rehearsals and concert)
Maestros include John Farrer, Toshiyuki Shimada and
Maestro Salvatore Di Vittorio, Artistic Director
Participants are eligible for The Respighi Prize in Conducting.
Winners conduct a work during the orchestra’s Carnegie Hall Spring concert, as Assistant Conductor to the Music Director.
Past Winners of The Respighi Prize in Conducting include Geoffrey Robson, Music Director of Arkansas Symphony and Jonathan Rush, Associate Conductor of Baltimore Symphony.
Our one-of-a-kind international New York Conducting Workshop and Competition program was founded in 2017 in affiliation with The Respighi Prize music competition – founded with Respighi’s family and hometown of Bologna, Italy in 2010. We offer conductors of all ages and countries the opportunity to reflect, discuss, share, and refine their podium experiences with veteran mentor conductors in New York. The program culminates with the winner’s conducting debut at Carnegie Hall.
The New York Conducting Workshop & Competition is a truly unique experience:
- Up to four maestros providing instruction and feedback
- Work with a fully-professional Manhattan based orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of New York led by Music Director Salvatore Di Vittorio
- Includes masterclasses on baton technique, orchestral score study, and career advancement
- Conductors may video record their workshop experience
- Candidacy option in The Respighi Prize (in Conducting) music competition – founded with Respighi’s family and hometown of Bologna, Italy
- Winners conduct a short work during the orchestra’s Carnegie Hall Spring concert, as Assistant Conductor to Music Director, as well as the following season (including any recording projects)
- Winners also receive professional photos for their portfolio from their performances at Carnegie Hall
Quotes from Winners
Participating in the workshop and competition that led to being awarded the first Respighi Prize in Conducting was a defining moment for me as a young conductor. My gestures were transformed that week, both through the insightful guidance from Maestros Di Vittorio, Farrer, and Brossé and from the affirming and inspiring experience of conducting the Chamber Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall.”
– Geoffrey Robson, Music Director of Arkansas Symphony (Winner, The Respighi Prize in Conducting, 2017)
“The New York Conducting Workshop & Competition is a supportive environment for conductors at all stages of training to gain experience under the tutelage of generous teaching faculty, a highly-responsive orchestra, and a cohort of inspiring colleagues. Fellow alumni of the NY Conducting Workshop continue to be among my most trusted and collaborative colleagues. Winning the Respighi Prize in conducting has been much more than an accolade and the excitement of making my Carnegie Hall debut with an excellent orchestra. Chamber Orchestra of New York and Maestro Di Vittorio have been a continuous support in my professional career and the primary touchstone of my New York City creative network.”
– Caleb Wenzel, Conductor, Pianist & Composer (Winner, The Respighi Prize in Conducting, 2019)
“As a film composer, walking down the red carpet and hearing my score on the big screen was what I thought was the most satisfying moment of my career but 3 months later that pales in comparison to hearing my name called as the winner of The Respighi Prize in Conducting. There is no better feeling than conducting on the other side of the chandelier at Carnegie Hall for a sold out audience. I will always be grateful for that moment and for the Chamber Orchestra of New York.”
– Scott Gentile, Film Composer & Conductor (Winner, The Respighi Prize in Conducting, 2022 – Spring Edition/15thAnniversary Season)
“Chamber Orchestra of New York’s Conducting Workshops provide a space that is compassionate and inclusive while still being motivated by principles of musical excellence and artistic achievement. Being a recipient of the Respighi Prize afforded me the opportunity to get focused and attentive coaching sessions from world-class conductors. Their insights and the opportunity to work alongside the accomplished musicians of CONY opened a new vista for the development of my pursuits in orchestral conducting.”
– Oswaldo Machado, Conductor & Composer (Winner, The Respighi Prize in Conducting, 2022 – Fall Edition/ 15th Anniversary Season)
“Stepping onto the podium at the New York Conducting Workshop, I have always felt welcomed by the compassion and enthusiasm emanating from the musicians of the Chamber Orchestra of New York. The colleagues I have befriended at the workshop have continued to inspire me with their devotion to learning, and the mentors who match their enthusiasm have shared many pieces of wisdom that I will carry with me for life. Making my Carnegie Hall conducting debut with the highly sensitive musicians of CONY was a touching moment for me, and I am incredibly grateful to the Respighi Prize for this transformative experience.”
– Claire Lewis, Conductor (Winner, The Respighi Prize in Conducting, 2023)
Workshop Staff Conductors
John Farrer: Music Director Laureate, Bakersfield Symphony; Director, London Conducting Workshop
Dirk Brossé: Music Director, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia; Professor of Conducting & Composition, Royal Conservatory of Music (Belgium) [Maestro Brosse is not available during the May 2024 NY Conducting Workshop.]
Toshiyuki Shimada: Former Music Director, Yale University Symphony; Music Director, Eastern Connecticut Symphony
Salvatore Di Vittorio: Music Director, Chamber Orchestra of New York; Composer under Casa Ricordi (Universal Music) in Italy
The New York Conducting Workshop & Competition program will be held at The DiMenna Center in New York on May 23-25, 2024 (with rehearsals on May 26-28, leading to our May 30 Carnegie Hall concert).
Workshop Schedule
May 23-25, 2024: Workshop Sessions
May 26 and May 28, 2024: Orchestral Rehearsals
May 30, 2024: Dress Rehearsal/Concert at Carnegie Hall
The New York Conducting Workshop & Competition is held at The DiMenna Center in Manhattan, and leads to The Respighi Prize in Conducting at Carnegie Hall. The workshop allows 20-22 participating conductors and additional auditors.
The program begins with an introductory Welcome Meeting and each of the three days includes a group staff session as follows: baton technique, orchestral score study, and career development. Orchestra sessions take place in the mornings and afternoons. This season’s program will feature the strings of the orchestra on the first day, and the chamber orchestra on the following days. (See Repertoire below.) Each participating conductor will receive daily podium time (typically 15-20 minutes) with the orchestra for three days and is required to attend all workshop sessions, rehearsals, and concert(s) offered, which are part of the workshop program. Session times will be shared via email with all confirmed candidates prior to the start of the program. Complimentary tickets for all conductors (participants and auditors) will be given for any scheduled Carnegie Hall concerts.
All Applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-serve, basis, with priority placement given to alumni of the program. All candidates are recommended to apply well in advance of the deadline to secure their position for both the workshop and competition.
Participants are eligible as candidates for The Respighi Prize in Conducting. The Winner will conduct a short work at the Chamber Orchestra of New York’s Spring concert on May 30, 2024 at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall. (See Schedule and related fees below.)
Orchestral Repertoire
RAVEL, Le Tombeau de Couperin
RESPIGHI, Trittico Botticelliano (Botticelli Pictures)
DEBUSSY, Clair de Lune, for small orchestra
GRIEG, Holberg Suite
Participants and auditors must bring their own scores. Debussy score (orchestrated by S. Di Vittorio) provided by the orchestra.
FEES
Application Fee: USD $100 (non-refundable)
Tuition Fees:
1. Participant fee: USD $2,800
or $2,300 without competition eligibility
2. Auditor fee (for new and returning): USD $500
Returning participants must apply but are automatically accepted and receive a 15% tuition discount ($2,380, or $1,955 without competition eligibility)
LODGING
During selected seasons, hotel lodging may be available to conductors through our recommended affiliate Margaritaville Resort Times Square, located nearby our workshop venue The DiMenna Center. Contact our office for further details:
https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-resort-times-square
TIMELINE
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024 (Final Call: March 10, 2024)
Candidacy Confirmations: April 1, 2024
Candidate Tuition Payment in Full Deadline: April 15, 2024
Arrival Date: May 22 or May 23, 2024 based on housing needs
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS
You can complete the Workshop application in either of two ways:
a) Online, including payment (preferred): Apply Now [Options below]
b) Email the completed attached Application, CV, photo, and video links to: info@chamberorchestraofnewyork.org
Make payments to: Chamber Orchestra of New York
Mailing address:
Chamber Orchestra of New York
450 Lexington Avenue, #1514
New York, NY 10163
For payment options including wire transfer and Zelle,
please email info@chamberorchestraofnewyork.org
Guidelines
All applicants will be confirmed via email. No refunds for application fee or tuition will be given under any circumstances should you later decide not to attend this year. Applicants not accepted as Participants will be offered Auditor status. If the workshop has full participation, remaining applicants may be put on a waiting list and will receive first refusal for places that become available. Concert Artists and Workshop Conductors are subject to change. The Respighi Prize rules apply to the selection of the winning conductor. Applicants hold harmless the Workshop Staff, Artistic Director and Board of the Chamber Orchestra of New York from any damages, claims, liabilities, and costs, or losses of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may in any way arise from the workshop, rehearsals, and performance(s).
The workshop fee covers the following: administrative processing and tuition. The fee does not cover travel to New York, transport within New York, food and drink during the workshop or lodging.
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