A Proven Program, Reimagined for the Future
Why the Conductor Track Exists:
The choral world is evolving — and today’s conductors need more than gesture. They need skills that traditional programs rarely teach.
Some examples of those skills are:
How to collaborate with living composers
How to lead professional musicians
How to communicate clearly when time is limited
How to design a sustainable artistic career
How to bring a new piece to life without recordings
How to navigate budgets, programming, and organizational realities
PREMIERE|Project Festival fills this systemic gap by providing a holistic, real-world environment where conductors develop the artistic, interpersonal, and organizational leadership skills their careers demand.
What You Receive as a Conductor:
Podium Time with a Professional Ensemble
Conductors receive meaningful, guided rehearsal time with CAI’s 26-voice professional ensemble. This is not a “five minutes on the podium” workshop—it is a substantive, supported conducting experience.
Artistic and Organizational Leadership Training
Learn tools that define successful modern conducting careers.
Topics Covered:
Ensemble psychology and communication
Structuring efficient rehearsals
Leading rehearsals where time equals money
Giving and receiving feedback
Leading teams within collaborative structures
Collaboration With a Living Composer
Each conductor is paired with a composer in the festival.
Together, you will:
Study the score collaboratively
Build a shared interpretive vision
Shape the rehearsal plan
Explore texture, pacing, and ensemble strategy
Prepare the premiere as a team
Access to CAI's Leadership, Practices, and Systems
Conductors receive direct insight into CAI’s non-hierarchical leadership model and rehearsal culture.
You will learn:
Collaborative artistic planning
Distributed leadership practices
How CAI achieves artistic excellence within a non-hierarchical structure
Systems-based approaches to communication, rostering, operations, and problem-solving
Seminars for Career Sustainability
Topics Include:
Building and running an ensemble
Budgeting and project management
Programming and artistic design
Working with living composers
Navigating auditions and professional opportunities
Designing a sustainable artistic career
A World Premiere Performance
Conductors lead CAI in the premiere of the work prepared with their composer partner. You receive quality video footage and audio suitable for applications, portfolios, and future opportunities.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for:
Graduate conducting students
Emerging professionals
Music educators expanding artistic leadership
“One-stop-shop” artistic leaders who split both artistic and administrative duties
Conductors seeking contemporary music experience
Artists who value collaboration and clarity
PREMIERE|Project Festival welcomes conductors of all backgrounds and identities. However, conducting gesture and fundamental conducting principles should be at a level of proficiency as this is not a gesture-based experience.
Application Requirements
10 minutes of rehearsal and performance footage.
Resume or CV
Biography
Short responses to leadership-based prompts in the application portal.
Learning objectives
Full application details will appear in the Apply page.
Participation Fee and Scholarships
Application Fee: $35 | Participation Fee: $1,295
Travel and lodging not included.
Limited needs-based scholarships are available.