MASTERCLASSES
Work with the professionals – compact, inspiring and at the highest level.
Conducting
May 13-16, 2026
Director: Jan Schumacher (DE)
The Conducting Masterclass with Jan Schumacher offers dedicated choir directors the opportunity to refine their choral conducting skills in theory and practice. During this three-day intensive course, participants will have the renowned Cantanima as their studio choir. You can expect informative and exciting days under professional supervision, culminating in a brilliant final concert in a unique setting.
Studio Choir: Cantanima (Sebastian Meixner)
Program:
Franz M. Herzog: O magnum mysterium - Helbling
Eriks Esenvalds: Only in Sleep - musica baltica
Johann Kuhnau: Tristis is anima mea - CPDL
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Rest - CPDL
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Double, Double Toil and Trouble - Sulasol
Rudolf Mauersberger: How desolate the city lies - Edition Merseburger
Kerensa Briggs: Media vita - Boosey and Hawkes
Moses Hogan: Elijah Rock - Hal Leonard
Requirements and application:
The Conducting Masterclass is open to participants with basic training in choral conducting or previous experience. To ensure high quality and intensive support, the number of participants is limited to eight active participants. Please register and submit your application by January 11, 2026, with the following documents:
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CV
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photo
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Short video (link) of my own conducting
Deadline: January 11, 2026
Time:
May 13-16, 2026,
May 13 7-8.30 pm
May 14 9 am-4 pm
May 15 9.30 am-8 pm
May 16 9.30-11.30 am
Number of participants:
max. 8 active / 10 passive
Participation fee:
Active participation € 300 | € 200
(for students)
Passive participation: € 50
Requirements:
Experience in choir conducting
Closing concert:
Sat. May 16, 2025 | 16:30 | Andräkirche
Course location:
Johann Joseph Fux Conservatory, 8020 Graz
Participants receive discounted tickets (-30%) for all concerts!
Only passive participation or waiting list possible.
Vocal Music
May 13-15, 2026
Director: Simone Kopmajer
Simone is a jazz singer, vocal coach, and pianist. A Hans Koller Prize winner, she has released 14 solo albums and performed in Europe, Asia, and the USA. In this workshop, you will practice microphone technique, explore various styles (jazz, gospel, pop), learn stage composition, and work on two prepared pieces.
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Daily group coaching sessions Wed-Fri (max. 8 participants)
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3 x 20-minute individual coaching sessions (times by arrangement)
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Concert Fri 18:00 Minoritensaal, Graz
Deadline: January 11, 2026
Time:
May 13-15, 2026,
May 13 5-8 pm
May 14 9 am-6.40 pm
May 15 9 am-5.15 pm
Number of participants:
max. 8 people
Participation fee:
€250 | €180 (for students)
Closing concert:
Fri May 15 | 6:00 p.m. | Minorite Hall
Course location:
Johann Joseph Fux Conservatory Graz, Entenplatz 1b, 8020 Graz
Participants receive discounted tickets (-30%) for all concerts!
composition
May 14-15, 2026
Director: Ä’riks Ešenvalds
The Latvian composer Ä’riks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought-after choral composers of his time. His works are performed around the globe, from Europe to the USA and Australia. Through collaborations with renowned choirs from around the world, such as the Latvian Radio Choir, The King's Singers, Salt Lake Vocal Artists, Choir of Trinity College Melbourne, The University of Mississippi Concert Singers, and the Rundfunkchor Berlin, his works have achieved international fame and recognition.
The composition masterclass with Ä’riks Ešenvalds offers interested participants the opportunity to further develop their compositional skills. The two-day intensive course offers participants an informative and exciting experience under professional supervision.
Deadline: January 11, 2026
Time:
May 14-15, 2026,
May 14, 2026, 10-11.45 am
May 15, 2026, 9.30 am-4 pm and 6.30-8 pm
Private lessons: by arrangement
Maximum number of participants: 8 Pax
Participation fee: €250 | €180 (for students)
Course location: Johann Joseph Fux Conservatory, 8020 Graz
Participants receive discounted tickets (-30%) for all concerts!
conducting
May 14–15, 2026
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Instructor: Tori Longdon
The Conducting Masterclass with Tori Longdon offers dedicated choral conductors the opportunity to refine their skills in both theory and practice.
During this two-day intensive course, participants will work with a professional pianist, and the renowned Vocalforum Graz chamber choir will serve as the studio choir for the final session. Expect two days of inspiring and instructive work under expert guidance.
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Programme
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Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) – Die Himmel erzählen, SWV 386
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Franz M. Herzog – Agnus Dei from Missa “Da pacem, Domine”
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Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847) – Denn er hat seinen Engeln, MWV B 53
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Anton Bruckner (1824–1896) – Ave Maria, WAB 6
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Josef Rheinberger – Abendlied
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James MacMillan (*1959) – O Radiant Dawn​
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Requirements and Application
The masterclass is open to participants who have completed basic training in choral conducting or who already have equivalent experience.
To ensure high quality and individual attention, the number of active participants is limited to eight (8).
Please submit your application by February 15, 2026, including the following documents:
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Curriculum Vitae
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Photo
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Short video (link) showing your conducting work
📅 Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
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Time:
May 14–15, 2026,
May 14 3-4.30 pm
May 15 10 am-2.30 pm and 7-9 pm
​​Number of participants:
Maximum of 8 persons
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Participation fee:
€200
€150 (for students)
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Venue:
Johann-Joseph-Fux Conservatory,
Entenplatz 1b, 8020 Graz
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Special offer:
Participants receive 30% discounted tickets for all festival concerts!