IAYO Orchestral Conducting Workshops

IAYO Orchestral Conducting Workshops

IAYO Orchestral Conducting Workshops 2025

Course Director: Robert Houlihan

Guest Director: Geoffrey Spratt

Robert Houlihan

The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras’ annual Orchestral Conducting Workshops will take place in MTU Cork School of Music from Monday, 30 June to Friday, 4 July 2025.

Please apply here.

Please see here for more information on course content and here for the repertoire.

Information

  • The course is open to conductors of youth orchestras, amateur orchestras, bands, music teachers and music students from Ireland and internationally.
  • Meals and accommodation are not provided as part of the fee. Ensuite accommodation in shared, self-catering, apartments is available Cork City. Rooms can be booked through IAYO and the cost is around €50 per night. Accommodation is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, we will provide a booking link for those wishing to book themselves. This link will have the agreed IAYO rate and is subject to availability of the accommodation.
  • Participant places are limited to 22 and will give preference to Irish and Irish-resident youth orchestra conductors and Irish-resident music students. Remaining places will be awarded to suitable applicants based on a first-come, first-serve policy.
  • It is not required for participants to prepare all the repertoire for the course. Participants may choose a selection that is in keeping with their experience and standard.
  • However, participants and observers should have copies of scores of all the repertoire studied on the course. Details of editions and bound copies will be available from the IAYO office. Most editions will be chosen from those available at imslp.org and costs will be minimal. Information on scores is available on the repertoire page.
  • Please note, for those with less or no experience of orchestral conducting, there will be sessions on baton technique with Guest Director Dr Geoffrey Spratt.
  • There will an initial assessment of all active participant’s level of conducting on the course on the first morning. This is nothing to be worried about, it is just for the Directors’ knowledge as there are often varying levels of experience on the course.
  • The course fee is €400 for active participants and €250 for observers, payable on acceptance.
  • There will be a social evening on Monday, 30 June 2025. We would love for everyone to join us!
  • The IAYO Orchestral Conducting Workshops are funded by The Arts Council and Cork City Council and supported by MTU Cork School of Music.