Cascade Conducting Master Class

Cascade Conducting Masterclass

 “…a challenging business, yet a highly worthwhile and valuable art form.  Preserving one’s own talent, faith to the music, and performance integrity while navigating a successful path forward is imperative. Not only so that great symphonic music can live on be cherished by generations to come, but also so it may function as a relevant and effective platform for peace, expression, and understanding of our world.” 

~Sarah Ioannides

The Third Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides is officially going Online.

The Third Annual Cascade Conducting Master Class and First Annual Cascade Composers Workshop will take place June 14- 21, 2020.  Due to current conditions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the masterclass will be offered virtually through Zoom at a 50% reduction in price.

Symphony Tacoma conductor and music director Sarah Ioannides will lead baton technique, score study, and round table discussions about the realities of working as a professional conductor, including rehearsal techniques, business and media aspects, and navigating the application/audition process for professional conducting positions. 

Podium time will be replaced with individual analysis of each participant’s conducting by Maestra Ioannides through analysis of past videos of the participant conducting as well as analysis of the participant’s live movement during the individual Zoom session.  Each full participant will receive approximately 1.5 hours of individual time with the Maestra.  These sessions will be open to all of the masterclass participants, but attendance will only be required by the individual receiving the instruction (to provide ample time away from the screen should one desire it.)

Moving the masterclass to an online format allows us to invite a greater number of guest speakers who possess experience working with conductors in a professional setting, who will share their insights into the variety of responsibilities unique to the conducting profession.

The First Annual Composers Workshop, in collaboration with Symphony Tacoma, will be led by their composer-in-residence, David Ludwig.  This workshop will take run June 17-21, 2020.  

Six composers age 35 or younger will be chosen to work under Dr. Ludwig’s guidance and write a piece which will be performed in concert by the Cascade Conducting Orchestra at a future date to be determined.  The Workshop will also accept auditors (no age restriction). Visit the Cascade Composers Symposium page for more information.

Conducting Masterclass Tuition

Full Participants- $825 ~  Full participants each receive 1.5 total hours of virtual podium time, special round table sessions, and one-on-one discussion time with Sarah Ioannides, as well as score study and baton technique sessions with Maestra Ioannides, and daily guest speaker events.

Conducting Auditors- $300 ~  Auditors receive 10 to 15 minutes of virtual podium time with Sarah Ioannides as well as access to all of the daily score analysis, baton technique, and general round table Q and A sessions with Maestra Ioannides and guests.

Composer’s Workshop Tuition

Full Participant $600 ~ Full Participants will receive guidance from Dr. Ludwig as they create an original work for orchestra (max 15 minutes) to be performed in a final public reading/concert at a date TBD.

Auditor $150 ~ Auditors will be present for all of the group sessions during the workshop as well as the rehearsals and final concert.  There is no age restriction for auditors.

Scholarships- A full scholarship for one “conducting fellow” will be offered as well as one full scholarship for a Latino conductor provided by Orquesta Northwest, and one full scholarship for an African- American conductor provided by an anonymous donor.  Cascade Conducting will also offer partial scholarships for an outstanding female conductor and for a local conductor. 

Continuing Education at Pacific Lutheran University is offering 35 OSPI clock hours or 5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participants who successfully complete the Cascade Conducting Masterclass. There is an additional fee of $50. PLU is an accredited provider of OSPI clock hours for courses. A PLU CEU is equivalent to 10 hours of work on a course.  Register for continuing education credits here.

Sarah Ioannides is currently the Music Director of Symphony Tacoma.  A former assistant conductor for the legendary teacher Otto-Werner Mueller, she has conducted orchestras of the highest level from around the world.  Read more about Sarah Ioannides, visit artist’s website,  read a complete resume.