Sigmund Thorp Conducting Masterclass : The Music between the Beats
- sigmundthorp
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4
Sigmund Thorp Conducting Masterclass
Dates | June 23– June 27, 2025 (5 days, please refer to the schedule table below) |
Course Venue | Taipei Chamber Singers Chaozhou Studio 1F, Lane 3, Alley 26, Chaozhou St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan |
UNI SPACE B1, No. 13, Ln. 135, Sec. 1, Anhe Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan | |
Concert Venue | 1980 Chamber Music Ensemble 2F, No. 30-1-2, Beiping E. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan |
Maestro: Sigmund Thorp
Sigmund Thorp has been a professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music for nearly 30 years, dedicated to training future conductors. In addition to teaching classical and romantic repertoire, he served as Artistic Director of the Norwegian Academy Sinfonietta Orchestra for over 24 years, conducting more than 350 contemporary works, including numerous premieres. Thorp is currently a Visiting Professor at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), a leading institution in Taiwan, where he directs NTNU’s orchestras in regular rehearsals and performances.
Artistic Leadership Experience
1997–2000: Founder and Artistic Director, Oslo New Ensemble
1992–2016: Artistic Director, Norwegian Academy Chamber Ensemble
2016–present: Jury President, Jeunesses Musicales International Conducting Competition, Bucharest
International Masterclass Experience
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London (2001)
Trieste Conservatory, Italy (2011, 2016)
Academy of Performing Arts, Prague (HAMU) (2013)
University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz, Austria (2014)
Jeunesses Musicales International Conducting Masterclass, Bucharest (2017, 2018, 2019,2021)
UPH Conservatory of Music, Jakarta (2018)
Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin (2018)
Seoul National University (2018)
European Conducting Academy, Vicenza, Italy (2019)
Shanghai Conservatory of Music (2019)
Sigmund Thorp International Conducting Masterclass, Taiwan (2019)
Korea National University of Arts (2019)
Sigmund Thorp International Conducting Masterclass, Taiwan (Jan, 2025)
Taipei International Masterclass for Conductor (Feb, 2025)
Course Content
Orchestral Conducting Practicum (4 Days / 8 Sessions)
Participants will rehearse designated repertoire with two pianos and chamber orchestra. Each session will include 15–20 minutes of podium time per participant, with direct feedback from Maestro Thorp.
Conducting Technique Workshop: "The Anatomy of Conducting"
“Stop the beat in order to release your music” Thorp’s exclusive instruction on conducting techniques. Participants may ask questions and engage in open discussion with the Maestro..
Final Concert
Each full participant will perform one assigned piece (or movement) from the repertoire with the chamber orchestra in the final public concert and receive a certificate of completion.
※ Total Podium Time per Participant: Approx. 85–100 minutes
Repertoire
J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus Overture
Mozart: Symphony No. 39
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, movements 1, 2, 5
Brahms: Symphony No. 3, movements 1, 3
Full In order to obtain repertoire flexibility during the masterclass,
all participants are expected to prepare all pieces in their entirety.
Notes
Participants should bring their own scores and are encouraged to conduct by memory.
Instruction will be in English; a strong understanding of English is recommended.
Masterclass Schedule
Date | Time | Content | Location |
6/23 | 12:30~13:00 | Registration & Opening | UNI SPACE |
13:00~14:10 | Conducting Practices Session 1 (two pianos) | ||
14:10~14:20 | Break | ||
14:20~15:30 | Conducting Practices Session 2 (two pianos) | ||
6/24 | 18:00~19:20 | Conducting Practices Session 3 (two pianos) | Taipei Chamber Singer Chaozhou Studio |
19:20~19:30 | Break | ||
19:30~21:00 | Conducting Practices Session 4 (two pianos) | ||
6/25 | 13::00~16:00 | Conducting Technique Workshop: The Anatomy of Conducting | Taipei Chamber Singer Chaozhou Studio |
18:00~19:20 | Conducting Practices Session 5 (Chamber orchestra) | ||
19:20~19:30 | Break | ||
19:30~21:00 | Conducting Practices Session 6 (Chamber orchestra) | ||
6/26 | 18:00~19:20 | Conducting Practices Session 7 (Chamber orchestra) | UNI SPACE |
19:20~19:30 | Break | ||
19:30~21:00 | Conducting Practices Session 8 (Chamber orchestra) | ||
6/27 | 13:30~17:00 | Dress Rehearsal | 1980 Chamber Music Ensemble |
18:30～19:00 | Preparation | ||
19:00~21:00 | Final Concert | ||
21:00～21:30 | Closing & Certificate Ceremony |
Information
Requirements
a, Active Participants
Open to experienced conductors; 8-10 selected by video audition.
b. Observers
Up to 20 participants interested in learning about conducting, with access to sessions and Q&A.
Tuition Fees
Audition Application Fee: USD 60
Active Participant Fee: USD 520
(Audition fee applies toward tuition upon acceptance)
Observer Fee: USD 30 per day or USD 100 for the full 5-day program
(audition applicants not selected may apply audition fee toward observer tuition).
The standard application fee for our masterclass is USD60.
Participants from Taiwan are offered a special discount, with an application fee of TWD1000.
Please note that the application fee will be fully deducted from the final tuition fee (USD520) upon acceptance.
In the end, all accepted participants will pay the same total tuition.
※ All participants will receive a video recording of their performance for personal use only.
Application Requirements for Active Participants
Personal Conducting Experience
Submit a PDF file detailing your conducting background.
Conducting Video
No longer than 12 minutes, front-facing view,. repertoire and timing clearly stated.
Each piece must be at least 3 minutes.
Consent Form for Use of Image and Interview Content
Complete the agreement form included in the application.
※Late, incomplete applications, inaccurate, or falsified information may result in disqualification.
※ Incomplete, false, or fraudulent applications will be disqualified.
※ If any falsified information is discovered after admission, the participant’s acceptance will be revoked.
※ All materials submitted are for audition purposes only. Non-selected applicants’ materials will be destroyed after the selection process.
※ If your audition files are too large to upload, please email them to: falabibo519@gmail.com and name each file by your full name.
Application Timeline & Instructions
Deadlines
Active Participants: May 18, 2024 (by 23:59)
Observers: June 20, 2025 (by 23:59)
How to Apply
Online only: Full out the form here: The Music between the Beats
Notification of Acceptance: Full participants will be notified individually via email by May 21, 2025.Tuition fee must be paid by May 24, 2025.
Disclaimer
The organizer reserves the right to modify the program repertoire, schedule, or venue.
The organizer reserves the right of final selection for all participants.
International participants are responsible for arranging their own visas for travel to Taiwan.
International participants must also arrange their own accommodation and transportation.
If assistance with accommodation during the course period is needed, international participants are welcome to contact the organizer. Support will be provided to the best of our ability.
