Dates
August 2 - 22, 2026
Location
Vratsa, Bulgaria
Application Deadline
Podium Time
9+ hours
(per participant)Active Participants
€6000.00
(up to 8 limited spots, accommodation not included)Deposit
€500.00
(non-refundable, to guarantee your place)Overview
Intensive 20-Day Hands-On Masterclass with Rehearsals, Performance & Video
The 4th Annual Vratsa Conducting Summer Masterclass is an exclusive program (limited to 8 selected participants) aimed at musicians who are interested in developing their conducting skills with professional orchestra in Symphonic Repertoire and Opera Arias. Participants will work closely with international faculty and receive one on one instruction, extensive podium time and streamed rehearsal video for immediate analysis and in class video seminars.
This masterclass provides for participants the opportunity to receive instruction in conducting both symphonic and operatic repertoire in the setting of a summer conducting masterclass.
Level: Intermediate to Advanced conductors only (not suitable for conductors with no experience)
History
This is our fourth successful year (formerly known as the Conducting Summer Programme, EAFA), with alumni going on to lead orchestras worldwide.
Inclusions
- 9+ hours total podium time per participant.
- Concert with the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra
- Multicam livestream & conductor camera HD video with stereo audio mix recorded for your professional conducting portfolio of Final Concert.
- Daily rehearsals with piano, full orchestra and soloist(s).
- Individual coaching sessions.
- Class video reviews.
- Rehearsals are recorded by a dedicated podium camera instantly accessible for personal daily review which can also be used for inclusion for conductors’ portfolios.
- Rehearsals at the Vratsa Municipal Philharmonic Hall and the Vratsa Theater, Bulgaria. Final Concert in Vratsa Municipal Philharmonic Hall.
Repertoire
Selected from:
- Mendelssohn Italian Symphony 1st movt.
- Weber Oberon Overture
- Brahms Symphony no. 2 movt. 4
- Beethoven Symphony no. 1 movt. 1
- Beethoven Coriolan Overture
- Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 4 movt. 4
- Schubert Unfinished Symphony movt. 2
- Schubert Unfinished Symphony movt. 1
- Brahms Symphony no. 4 movt. 1
- Strauss Die Fledermaus Overture
- Mozart Marriage of Figaro Overture
- Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte Overture
- Dvorak New World Symphony 1st mov
- Tchaikovsky March Slav Op. 31
- Plus Operatic Arias TBA
Programme Timeline
| August 2 | Arrival Day and Check-in |
|---|---|
| August 3-8 | Lecture, Orientation, piano rehearsals (One-on-one lessons with our faculty. Group masterclasses on each of the conductor's assigned works. Practise time in the evenings.) |
| August 9 | Free Day |
| August 10-13 | Full Orchestra Conducting Classes/Video review sessions |
| August 14-15 | Consultations/study days |
| August 16 | Free Day |
| August 17-19 | Full Orchestra Conducting Classes |
| August 20 | Free Day |
| August 21 | Dress Rehearsals / Concert Performances |
| August 22 | Departure Day and Check-out |
Faculty & Orchestra
Christo Pavlov
Assoc. Prof. Hristo Pavlov is a renowned name in Bulgaria's musical life and is Music Director of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra. He is a laureate of national and international competitions as a flutist, composer, and conductor. He has conducted numerous ensembles, including the Czech Philharmonic, the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Sofia Metropolitan Orchestra, the Philharmonia Bulgarika, the Youth Orchestra of Radio “ClassicFM”, the Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra, and the Sofia Symphony Orchestra. He teaches orchestration, studio production of symphony orchestras, and video game music in the master's program in film composition at Pulse College in Dublin, Ireland.
Malcolm Yuen
Australian conductor, Malcolm Yuen is known for his charismatic stage presence, elegance, and precision in his interpretations spanning the genres from symphonic, concerto, operatic to contemporary music. He appears with leading orchestras and soloists throughout Europe and Australasia in symphonic, chamber and operatic concerts/ projects and is a strong advocate of new works by emerging and established composers. A regular guest conductor with the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra, with over 30 years in the education sector, he was the Founding Program Director in Conducting at the European Academy of Fine Arts in 2025.
Nikola Petrov
Nikola Petrov is a graduate of the National Academy of Music in Sofia with emphasis on percussion performance, choral and opera-symphonic conducting, and symphonic orchestration. Petrov has performed on tours in Europe, USA, Canada, China, OAE, and since 2018, has served as conductor of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra. Nikola has over 15 years of experience in studio recordings, well-known as both a conductor and score supervisor, for the Film Scoring Academy of Europe, Strezov Sampling, Sofia Session Orchestra and Choir, and Four for Music.
Vratsa Symphony Orchestra
The Vratsa Symphony Orchestra is a prestigious professional ensemble known for its dynamic performances and commitment to artistic excellence presenting in excess of 70 performances each year. Participants will work intensively with these dedicated musicians in a collegial environment.
Gallery
Testimonials
Practical Information
Location: Vratsa, Bulgaria
Recommended Accommodation:
(Reduced rates for Masterclass conductors maybe available once participation is confirmed)
Hotel Leva, Vratsa (https://openvratsa.bg/en/hotel/leva-hotel/)
Hotel Hemus, Vratsa (https://hotelhemus.com)
Hotel Vratsa (https://hotelvratsa.eu)
(Accommodation not included in Tuition cost)
Travel: The nearest airport is Sofia (SOF). We can assist with arranging transport from the airport.
How to Apply
Applications will be processed as they are received. Once the Active Participants places are filled, further applications will be held on a wait list. Once Active Participants have been accepted, a non-refundable deposit of €500 will be required to guarantee your place.
Frequently Asked Questions
A €500 deposit is required and non-refundable on successful acceptance of application. The €500 deposit to enroll is subtracted from the total tuition amount of the enrolling conductor.
Tuition is fully refundable if the conductor cancels prior to May 1, 2026.
If a conductor cancels, for any reason, on or after May 1, 2026 (GMT+2), the tuition is non-refundable.
Remaining tuition amounts from enrolled conductors are due before May 1, 2026. The Vratsa Conducting Summer Masterclass reserves the right to cancel any conductor's participation if the tuition is not paid in full prior to this date. In this event, tuition paid up until this date will be refunded, less the non-refundable deposit.
Accommodation is not included in the Tuition cost.
*Please note that there is no airport in Vratsa, and that all flight tickets should be booked in and out of the airport in Sofia, Bulgaria (SOF).
The Conducting Summer Masterclass reserves the right to cancel any conductor's participation if it is deemed that the conductor does not meet the following requirements.
The Conducting Summer Masterclass is aimed for Intermediate Conductors who have some basic experience in conducting ensembles. If you can't read music, unfortunately you will not be successful on the Conducting Summer Masterclass, as this is a foundation all conductors must have in order to conduct music for our ensembles.
Basic prerequisites:
Practical knowledge of the following beat patterns: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 1, 6/8, 9/8, 5/4
Conductors should prepare works with relevant cues marked, and formulated musical structure suitable to facilitate practical learning of each score.
Scores are to be purchased OR at the very least, comb bound (if copies are used). No iPads are to be used in conducting sessions.
Conductors should bring a computer capable of downloading/transferring their recorded sessions from each day as part of their record of progress/learning tool.
All conductors are required to provide proof of health insurance that covers them in the event of emergency during their participation in the course.
The course will be delivered in English so an intermediate level of language ability is required.
All recording of class sessions (including HD video footage)
The entire lecture/rehearsal series at the Conducting Summer Masterclass.
Any Visa expenses, if applicable.
Travel arrangements to/from Vratsa.
Travel arrangements to/from the airport.
Food expenses during your stay.
Social expenses.
Need help? Let us know!
From Sofia, there are three ways to get to Vratsa from the Sofia airport:
Taxi. Price per trip: 100 leva. (€50)
Private car. Price per trip: 70 leva. (€30)
Bus. Price per trip 10-20 Leva (€5-10)
More information will be distributed to participating conductors closer to the summer.
The program includes hands-on podium time with professional ensembles, offering valuable real-world experience. Conductors will delve into a diverse repertoire, from classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, enhancing their versatility. Rigorous feedback and coaching from seasoned conductors will refine their craft. This program demands dedication, precision, and artistry, preparing emerging maestros to excel in the world of orchestral conducting.
If you already have some experience in conducting, this Masterclass will give you the opportunity to add an HD professionally recorded performance to your video portfolio, and refine your skills in rehearsing and conducting a symphony orchestra in mainstream orchestral repertoire.
You will first receive an instant reply to acknowledge receipt of your application. (If it appears in your Spam/Junk folder, please mark it as 'not Spam/Junk' for further correspondence)
Your materials will then be reviewed before we contact you again with the next steps. This may take some time so please be patient.