Sigmund Thorp Conducting Masterclass : The Music between the Beats
Updated: Oct 11
Sigmund Thorp Conducting Masterclass
Dates | Sunday, January 24 – Friday, January 29, 2027 (6 days, please refer to the schedule table below) |
Course Venue | National Taiwan Normal University, General Building 3F, No. 135, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan |
Concert Hall | World Sound Art Co., Ltd., New Taipei (10F, No. 2, Ln. 8, Chengtian Rd., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City) |
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 was engaged as a Visiting Professor at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), a leading institution in Taiwan, where he directed 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
Sigmund Thorp, International Masterclasses
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 (January and June 2025, January 2026)
Robert Schumann Hochschule, Dresden (2026)
About the Orchestra: Ark Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
Ark Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
Founded in 2016 by conductor Huang Li-Wei, who also serves as its Artistic Director, the Ark Symphony Orchestra brings together young musicians from Taiwan’s leading music schools and professional music circles. Its seasons range from classical symphonic repertoire to crossover productions, and the orchestra has full production capabilities.
Throughout the masterclass, the Ark Symphony Orchestra will serve as the training orchestra, in full symphonic formation (complete strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion).
Course Content
Conducting Sessions 5 sessions with String Quintet + Piano
Taught personally by Professor Thorp. Active participants take turns on the podium individually, working on their chosen works and receiving direct coaching.
Orchestra Practicum 4 sessions wtih Full Symphony Orchestra
Taught personally by Professor Thorp. Active participants will work hands-on with the Ark Symphony Orchestra, rehearsing the masterclass repertoire under the maestro’s direct guidance.
Lecture on Conducting Technique: Anatomical Exercises
An exclusive lecture by Professor Thorp on his conducting technique and musical interpretation, attended by all participants (including auditors). Participants may ask questions and discuss the course material or any conducting-related topic.
Video Review
Participants review the footage of their own lessons together with the maestro, examining it section by section to consolidate what they have learned.
Final Concert
Each active participant will conduct one movement or section of the masterclass repertoire (assigned by the maestro) in performance with the full orchestra, and will receive a certificate of completion.
※ Each active participant will have approximately 140 minutes or more of podium time.
※ Orchestra members will vote to present one “Orchestra’s Favourite” award at this masterclass,
Repertoire
Schubert: Ouverture Rosamunde
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6
Mozart: Symphony No. 29
Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn
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 |
Jan. 24 | 14:00~14:15 | Registration | Course Venue |
14:15~14:30 | Opening | ||
14:00~17:00 | Conducting Session 1 | ||
17:00-18:00 | Break | ||
18:00~21:00 | Conducting Session 2 | ||
Jan. 25 | 14:00~17:00 | Conducting Session 3 | Course Venue |
17:00-18:00 | Break | ||
18:00~21:00 | Conducting Session 4 | ||
Jan. 26 | 10:00~12:00 | Lecture on Conducting Technique: Anatomical Exercises | |
14:00~17:00 | Conducting Session 5 | Course Venue | |
Jan. 27 | 14:00~17:00 | Orchestra Practicum 1 | |
18:00~21:00 | Orchestra Practicum 2 | ||
Jan. 28 | 10:00-12:00 | Video Review | Course Venue |
14:00~17:00 | Orchestra Practicum 3 | ||
Jan. 29 | 14:00~17:00 | Orchestra Practicum 4 | World Sound Art Co., Ltd., New Taipei |
17:00~17:15 | Certificate Ceremony | ||
17:15~18:20 | Break | ||
18:20~18:30 | Preparation | ||
18:30~20:30 | Final Concert |
Information
Requirements
a, Active Participants
Open to experienced conductors; 10-12 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: NT$2,000 (USD 70) (credited toward tuition upon acceptance)
Active participant tuition: NT$22,000 (USD 770)
Auditors: NT$3,600 (USD 120) for the full course; NT$800 (USD 28) per day
※ Applicants not accepted as active participants may apply their audition fee toward the auditor fee.
※ All sessions and performances will be video-recorded; how the footage will be used is set out in the consent form included with the application.
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: henry0911849@gmail.com and name each file by your full name.
Application Timeline & Instructions
Deadlines
Active participants: Now open until December 22, 2026 (23:59)
Auditors: Now open until all places are filled
How to Apply
Online only: Full out the form here: The Music between the Beats
Notification of Acceptance: Audition results will be sent to applicants individually by email by December 27, 2026. Selected participants must pay the remaining tuition by January 4, 2027 (inclusive).
Contact
Phone: +886 911-849-405 (Mr. Chu)
Email: henry0911849@gmail.com
Payment Details
US Dollar
Account Name: Yi-Chuan Chen
IBAN: GB62 REVO 0099 7014 6490 64
BIC / SWIFT code: REVOGB21
Address: Revolut Ltd 30 South Colonnade, E14 5HX, London, United Kingdom Correspondent
BIC: CHASGB2L
Euro
Account Name: Yi-Chuan Chen
IBAN: GB62 REVO 0099 7014 6490 64
BIC / SWIFT code: REVOGB21
Address: Revolut Ltd 30 South Colonnade, E14 5HX, London, United Kingdom Correspondent
BIC: CHASDEFX
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.
