NYSS Emerging Conductor Workshops

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Announcing the 2026 New York Session Symphony (Benjamin Niemczyk, Conductor) Emerging Conductor Workshops at Lincoln Center. The workshops offer emerging conductors the opportunity to conduct an orchestra for 40 minutes, receive instruction and receive a professional recording.

Deadline to apply is Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 11:59PM.

The workshops are Mon, May 11, 2026 and Mon, May 18, 2026, 7:00-9:30PM at Lincoln Center’s Rose Building, 10th floor. Dates will be assigned to each conductor.

Winning participants will be notified by Fri, Apr 17, 2026.

Application fee: Free

Participation fee, if selected: $500 (payable upon acceptance via PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. Applicable transaction fees will be added)

Auditor fee (observation only): $100 (payable via PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. Applicable transaction fees will be added)

See our selected conductors from last year here.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 40 minutes of podium time with orchestra.

  • Conduct a mixed volunteer/professional ensemble at Lincoln Center’s Rose Building.

  • Receive instruction from the conductor

  • Plan and conduct one’s own rehearsal.

  • Receive a professional video.

WHO MAY APPLY

Emerging conductors, those at the beginning of their careers, looking to gain experience.

Minimum age is 18.

REPERTOIRE INCLUDES*

  • Weber Der Freischütz Overture

  • Dvořák Song to the Moon

  • Mahler Kindertotenlieder (excerpt)

  • Mozart Così fan tutte Overture

  • Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (excerpt)

*Repertoire will be assigned and is subject to change.

TO APPLY

Please send a letter of interest, CV and link to YouTube video(s) of recent conducting to sessionsymphony@gmail.com with the subject line CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS. (Video links could be from YouTube, Google, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc. Please just ensure the link is not private.) Auditors do not need to include a video but must include a CV.

Participants will be selected and notified by Friday, Apr 17, 2026. Those not selected to conduct will be given the opportunity to observe (auditor fee applies).

Participants and auditors are responsible for their own scores, travel, food and housing.

New York Session Symphony (Benjamin Niemczyk, Conductor) is a mixed volunteer/professional orchestra located at Lincoln Center, NYC. It presents three performances per season and regularly features emerging soloists, often from the major, local conservatories. In addition, NYSS is an official partner of the Philadelphia International Music Festival and presents its winners annually. NYSS is a 501(c)(3) charity. NYSS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability or age.