The Master Class : The Music between the Beats

Sigmund Thorp Conducting Masterclass

Dates: January 8–11, 2025 (4 days; see schedule below)

Location: 1F, Lane 3, Alley 26, Chaozhou St., Da’an 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)

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Course Content

1. Conducting Practice with Ensemble (6 sessions over 4 days)

   Participants will conduct and rehearse pieces with a small ensemble (strings quintet & piano) under direct guidance from the maestro. Each session allocates around 20 minutes per participant.

   
   

2. Q&A with the Maestro

   Participants may engage in discussions with the maestro on the course material and topics related to conducting.

   
   

3. Final Performance

   Each participant will conduct a selected piece in a final performance and receive a certificate of completion.

   
   

   ※Total conducting time per participant: approximately 75 minutes

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Repertoire

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 Mvt.II

Beethoven: Egmont Overture

Schubert: Symphony No. 5 Mvt.1

Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 Mvt.II

（Note：All pieces must be fully prepared.）

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Masterclass Schedule

1/8 (三)	18:00~18:30	Opening
	18:30~19:50	Conducting Practices Session 1
	19:50~20:00	Break
	20:00~21:30*	Conducting Practices Session 2
1/9 (四)	18:00~19:20	Conducting Practices Session 3
	19:20~19:30	Break
	19:30~21:00	Conducting Practices Session 4
1/10 (五)	18:00~19:20	Conducting Practices Session 5
	19:20~19:30	Break
	19:30~21:00	Conducting Practices Session 6
1/11 (六)	15:00~17:00	Q&A with the Maestro (optionaal)
	17:00~18:00	Break
	18:00~21:00	Final Concert

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Information

Requirements

a, Active Participants: Open to experienced conductors; 8 selected by video audition.

b. Observers: Up to 20 participants interested in learning about conducting, with access to sessions and Q&A.

Application Requirements for Active Participants

1. Conducting Resume (PDF)

2. Conducting Video: 12 minutes, front-facing view, repertoire and timing clearly stated. Each piece must be at least 3 minutes.

3. Consent Form (found in the application form)

   
   

Late or incomplete applications, or inaccurate or falsified information, may result in disqualification.

Tuition Fees

Audition Application Fee: NTD 600

Active Participant Fee: NTD 12,500 (audition fee applies toward tuition upon acceptance)

Observer Fee: NTD 600 per day or NTD 2,000 for the full 4-day program (audition applicants not selected may apply audition fee toward observer tuition).

※Participants will receive a video of their performance for personal use only.

Registration Process and Deadlines

Active Participants: November 10 - November 24, 2024 (by 23:59)

Observers: November 10 - December 30, 2024 (by 23:59)

Registration

Online only: The Music between the Beats

※Selection results for Active Participants will be emailed by December 6, 2024. Selected participants must pay the remaining fee by December 10, 2024.

Contact

Phone: +886-929-928-979 (Ms. Tsai）

Email: falabibo519@gmail.com

Payment Details

BANK NAME : HUA NAN BANK

SWIFT CODE : HNBKTWTP

ACCOUNT NO : 153970020089

ACCOUNT NAME : 蔡函潔

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.

Disclaimer

The organizer reserves the right to modify the program, schedule, or location as needed. Overseas participants are responsible for their own visas, accommodation, and transportation, though assistance can be provided for accommodation arrangements upon request.