Conducting Masterclass

led by Ilona Dobszay-Meskó

5th international conducting masterclass
in Budapest, Hungary
from September 2 to September 9, 2024

We cordially invite conductors hoping to elevate their skills, improve their conducting and rehearsal techniques, and seeking to develop a rich and diversified artistic range.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in a daily exercise routine to enhance coordination, structure, and precision in their conducting. They can hone their communication style and rehearsal techniques in a friendly, warm environment provided by a supportive orchestra. In this comprehensive program, the instructor will offer a wide array of methodological tools suitable for any skill level.
The range of musical expression will be expanded with associative methods and personality development techniques.

Participants will be able to enhance their expression of the narrative and drama of music by mastering the art of conveying the gestures and characters of the musical piece. With practice techniques focusing on in-the-moment, participants will learn to overcome any stage fright-related attention issues.

Each participant will receive personalized training tailored to their unique needs, ensuring a valuable educational experience.
The course ends with a concert with the participants conducting.

Ilona Dobszay-Meskó
conductor and a composer honoured with the Erkel Ferenc Award (a Hungarian state award)

With two decades of experience in teaching composition, conducting orchestras, and providing mentorship, she regularly shares her vast expertise through conducting courses, supporting both junior and experienced colleagues.

ABOUT THE MASTERCLASS

Improvement of conducting technique

The course is designed to improve conducting techniques, and participants will be provided with opportunities, methods, and exercises to develop expressive and efficient conducting movements. Some participants might feel that their current technique requires correction; the course will equip them with conducting etudes which they can continue practicing independently even after the course concludes.

Improvement of rehearsal technique

Another key focus of the course is to improve leading rehearsals. Participants will learn how to effectively communicate with an orchestra, develop a rehearsal plan, and achieve their desired musical results. We will explore the critical role of mirror neurons. Moreover, the course leader share insights from her experience with the new field of applying modern pedagogical methods on orchestra conducting.

Improvement of musical expressions

The course dedicates significant attention to broadening the participants’ musical range and expression. With associative methods and personality development techniques will be used by the course leader to help participants dive deeply into the emotional and narrative meaning of music, enhancing their ability to express it more vividly.

Improvement of communication skills

The course will be held in a friendly, warm environment, collaborating with a supportive orchestra. This will help participants improve their cooperation and communication. They will learn how to develop a good relationship with the orchestra, other people, and to communicate effectively to achieve their musical vision.

Personalized training

Each participant will receive personalized training tailored to their unique needs. The masterclass will address the needs and improvement areas of each participant, helping them progress. Each participant will receive continuous feedback as we monitor the steps of their development.

All active participants will have the opportunity to perform at the final concert in Eötvös10. The movements to be conducted at the concert will be chosen by the course leader.

Maximum number of active participants: 10

These unique benefits of the course will help participants improve their conducting and rehearsal skills, expand their musical range and musical expression, improve their communication skills, and receive personalized training that supports their development.

The orchestra

Symphony Orchestra of the Bartók Conservatory

Bartók Béla Conservatory, a high school affiliated with the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, is the leading institution in secondary music education since 1840. Its symphony orchestra earned first prize in the national secondary school orchestra competition and regularly perform concerts at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. The orchestra members range in age from 16 to 21.

Please note that the orchestra is comprised of students, not professional musicians. Patient collaboration with the orchestra is a component of the conductor training.

List of works

Venue

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem – Excerpts, with choir:
1. Kyrie Eleison
2. Dies Irae
4. Rex Tremendae Majestatis
6. Confutatis Maledictis
7. Lacrymosa
9. Hostias
10. Sanctus
12. Agnus Dei
Alexander Borodin: Prince Igor – Overture
Alexander Borodin: Prince Igor – Polovtsian dances No. 8. No. 17.
Maurice Ravel: Bolero
Aram Khachaturian: Sabre Dance from Ballet „Gayane”

Course venue: Béla Bartók Conservatory – 1065 Budapest, Nagymező u. 1, Hungary
The closing concert will take place at Eötvös10 – 1067 Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, Hungary

Agenda

The participants receive 120 minutes of lessons with the course professor and 4 pianists.
! 120 minutes of orchestral conducting time with the Symphony Orchestra of the Bartók Conservatory in rehearsals and performance.

Tuition fees

1480 € Registration + Participation fee

320 € Participation fee

Application and participation rules

The conducting course will be in English.
Participation in the course is subject to the submission of an application form and selection by the course leader.
Once selected, you will have to pay the course fee by bank transfer within 7 days of the confirmation email. The registration fee (after the early bird deadline) will not be refunded if the applicant is not selected.
To apply, you must submit the following information on the application form: full name, date and place of birth, contact details, a brief introduction of yourself in English, for active participants, a video recording (upload YouTube link only) of at least two performances/rehearsals of contrasting works or movements. The video must feature the conductor from the front.
We would like to inform interested parties that it is not possible to provide additional documents after the application has been submitted. Any missing application requirements will result in disqualification, and applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Accommodation, travel and meals are not provided by the organizers, but assistance can be offered upon request.
The opening ceremony of the course will take place on 2 September at 10:00 (Budapest time).
The sessions are held from 10am to 5pm. A timetable will be sent to all participants after successful enrolment.
The masterclass will end with a public concert, which will be video and audio recorded.
By applying, the applicant accepts the terms and conditions set out in the declaration and the privacy policy.

Application deadline: 26 July.

masterclass@ilonamesko.com

PARTICIPANTS' feedback from previous courses

"Ilona’s course granted me the opportunity to learn essential beat techniques as well as various forms of expression and communication. At that time, this wealth of information was almost overwhelming to me, but it proved to be crucial for my development as a conductor. The structure and the details of the course captured my attention even then. In addition to serving as a professional networking place, the course was an excellent opportunity to build new relationships. I still stay in touch with several conductors I met there. Ilona generously hosted her students at the end of the course, we spent wonderful evenings together. "

"I look back on Dobszay Meskó Ilona’s courses with joy and gratitude. I attended her programs every year since 2011. Her summer school programs granted me my first conducting experiences with a professional orchestra. She amazed us with her intense focus, exceptional quality of work, and outstanding mentorship. Ilona’s sensitive and mature sense of music left a lasting impression on all of us. Her approach is further enriched by her unique perspective, not just as a conductor and pianist, but also as an outstanding composer. Each year, the atmosphere among Ilona, her students, and the orchestra was pleasant, friendly, yet focused. This was all thanks to Ilona’s attentiveness, openness, and approachable nature. "

"I like your way of teaching because it is gentle and rich in the time. I learned so many things about conducting in this masterclass, but I also learned a professional and kindly way of teaching."

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