Saturday, July 27 - Sunday, August 4

A ten-day workshop dedicated to the highest professional levels of conducting, for established professional choral and orchestral conductors and for serious students.

For 2002, the two separate weeks of the conductors' program in past years will be combined into one ten-day program. In this year's rich program, conductors will receive extensive daily instruction and information on virtually every aspect of Mendelssohn's Elijah as they observe this great work being prepared for performance. In addition, there will be lectures on the art of conducting and seven conducting master classes where selected participants will conduct excerpts from Elijah and receive specific, on-the-podium instruction from Maestro Keene. All conductors may attend all rehearsals and the performance, all conductor meetings, lectures, and all conducting master classes. Those conductors who wish to get up on the podium at master classes should apply as Conducting Fellows. Conductors may sing in the chorus if desired. This entire ten-day program will be led by Maestro Keene.

* Rehearsals and gala performance at the world-famous Caramoor Music Festival. Conductors may sing in the Festival Chorus or observe.

* Conductor meetings with Dennis Keene. After most rehearsals Maestro Keene will discuss the problems and solutions of the rehearsal, choral techniques, conducting techniques, interpretations, and any topics the conductors wish to discuss.

* Conductor lectures/classes. At the beginning of the week there will be classes on Elijah just for conductors, covering such topics as score study, editions, performance practice, interpretation choices, each movement's rehearsal and conducting technique problems, the vocal and orchestral forces needed, the layout of forces, marking orchestral parts, bowings, and other topics.

* Conducting Master Classes. Throughout the week, Maestro Keene will talk about the art of conducting and will give seven conducting master classes where selected participants will conduct excerpts from Elijah and receive specific, on-the-podium instruction.

* Repertory. The entire week will be devoted to Mendelssohn's Elijah (complete, in English).

Conductors may choose to participate in either of two categories:

1. Conductors. Conductors may attend all rehearsals and the performance, all conductor meetings, lectures and classes, and all the conducting master classes. If so desired, they may opt to attend some vocal classes in lieu of some of the conducting classes. (The classes run simultaneously.) Conductors may sing in the chorus if desired.
2. Conducting Fellows. This year, 25 Conducting Fellows will be chosen from applicants to conduct in the seven master classes. Each Fellow will be given two times on the podium, including once with a chamber orchestra. All sessions will be videotaped. (Fellows may, of course, attend all events listed above under "Conductors.") They may sing in the chorus if desired.

* First-come-first-served applications this year. See details in the Applications section of this brochure.