CONDUCTING FELLOWS

OPERA/ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING FELLOW

Arrival July 1st - Departure August 3rd

New for 2026, The Vienna Summer Music Festival is proud to offer a premier new program for the training and advancement of emerging conductors. The program will provide three aspiring conductors with an exceptional opportunity to develop their craft in one of the world’s most musically rich cities. This intensive program is designed for emerging conductors seeking hands-on experience in symphonic, chamber and operatic repertoire.

Conducting Fellows will work closely with Maestros Christian Schulz and Gregory Wolynec, as well as guest artists with the Vienna Summer Music Festival faculty. Under their mentorship, Fellows will refine their technique, deepen their interpretive insight, and gain valuable rehearsal and performance experience with the festival orchestra and mainstage productions. Podium sessions will be video recorded and made available to the Fellows for their professional use.

Week 1: Technical and interpretive coachings with piano ensemble and an orchestra podium session based around the festival orchestra’s Masterworks I program.

Week 2: Each Fellow will be assigned a work for the Masterworks II program, which they will lead in the beautiful and historic Ehrbar Saal.

Weeks 3&4: Each Fellow will serve as the assistant conductor for a main stage production. In this role, they will work with the chief conductor to help prepare the orchestra, participate in vocal and staging rehearsals and serve as cover conductor.

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This season features a compelling lineup or orchestral, chamber and operatic repertoire including:

Masterworks Orchestral Concert I: 

Franz Schubert – Symphony No. 8 in Bm Unfinished

Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 in F Pastoral

Johann Strauss II – Emperor’s Waltz

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Masterworks Orchestral II: 

Felix Mendelssohn – Nocturno

Richard Strauss – Serenade in Eb

Igor Stravinsky – Octet

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem

Operas: 

Claude Bizet – Carmen

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – The Magic Flute

Giacomo Puccini – Suor Angelica

Choral Conductor Fellow Opportunity

Arrival July 1st - Departure July 21st

The Choral Conductor Fellow Opportunity is a unique professional development experience designed for emerging and early-career conductors. As part of the Coral Symposium, selected fellows will actively participate in the rehearsal and performance process of the major work, Mozart’s Requiem.

Fellows will:

• Rehearse with the symposium chorus during the two week program 

• Receive mentorship from experienced faculty conductors

• Conduct portions of Mozart’s Requiem in the culminating choral concert

• Conduct individually during the Vienna Summer Music Festival Choral Concert 

This opportunity offers invaluable podium time, hands-on experience with a full ensemble, and the chance to grow artistically in a supportive, high-level choral environment. Ideal candidates are passionate, skilled conductors seeking real-world experience and artistic collaboration.