International Masterclass for Choral Conducting with Conducting Competition

Directly after the 18th International Chamber Choir Competition Markoberdorf, the International Masterclass for Choral Conducting with Conducting Competition will begin on 31 May at the Bavarian Music Academy Marktoberdorf. The Masterclass is aimed at all choral conductors who want to improve their knowledge and skills with outstanding experts at a high level. The participants had to apply with a video and go through several rounds. In the end, only four of about 20 participants are allowed to conduct in the final concert. There, the best three choir conductors will be awarded a prize. The Masterclass ends on 4 June at 4 p.m. with a public final concert in the Bavarian Music Academy Marktoberdorf.

The high-ranking Masterclass will be led by Georg Grün and Gary Graden. Georg Grün is one of the most sought-after choral conductors and choral sound specialists in the world. He founded the KammerChor Saarbrücken in 1990 and is still its artistic director. From 2015 to 2019, he was jury chairman of the Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition. Gary Graden was born in the USA and currently holds the position of Director of Choral Music at the Cathedral and St James' Church in Stockholm. Hyunju Kwon from South Korea assists the two directors. She recently won the 5th German Choral Conducting Prize of the German Music Council in collaboration with the RIAS Kammerchor Berlin. Assisting as vocal and register coaches are Helene Grabitzky (soprano), Anne Greiling (alto), Marlo Hansemann (bass) and Daniel Schreiber (tenor).

The Philippine choir Los Cantantes de Manila under the direction of Darwin Vargas, which is also taking part in this year's Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition, will act as a practice choir for the participants of the International Masterclass for Choral Conductors. Los Cantantes de Manila is a community choir made up of students, young professionals and devout musicians. The choir shows its versatility by performing serious music ranging from the works of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy to dance music by Beyoncé. Under the direction of award-winning conductor Darwin Vargas, the choir won 1st prize in the pop choir category of the 15th Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition in 2017.

Advance tickets are available at the service centres of the Allgäuer Zeitung, at all Eventim ticket agencies and at www.kammerchorwettbewerb.org. Remaining tickets can be purchased at the box office.