Master of Fine Arts in Classical, Studio, Contemporary Conducting and Related Recording Technologies

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offering modern conductors what they need the most:

  1. Regular Weekly Conducting Experience with a Professional Orchestra
     

  2. A Comprehensive One-Year Practical Experience: Classic Orchestral, Studio, Chamber, Live Orchestra to Film, Opera, Big Band

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Malcolm Yuen

Program Director

Pedagogue, Conductor and Violinist. Associate Conductor, Dublin Philharmonic; Music Director, Irish Chamber Ensemble, and Juror, Wiener Musikseminar

Now Enrolling for 2021:

Interested in more information? Submit the form:

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Students from the United States can request information about Financial Aid at info@eafa.iamu.edu

The Ultimate One-Year Practical Experience for the Modern Conductor

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Conservatories and Universities around the world notoriously offer their conducting candidates a limited conducting curriculum, sometimes including intermittent rehearsals with their student orchestras.

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We take an entirely different approach.

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We've teamed up with the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra and are providing all of our conducting candidates 30 minutes of podium time with a professional orchestra every week. Plus, we've created the most comprehensive MFA degree program for the modern conductor offered by any University in the world.

10 Reimagined Modules

Designed in consultation with our conductors, orchestrators, music supervisors and mix engineers from around the world, we've crafted the ultimate 54-credit Masters program for modern conductors.

Conducting Masters

Module 1

Fundamentals of Symphonic Conducting Technique

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The universal language of gesture. Candidates pursue bespoke individual conducting studies at the Conservatory with distinguished resident and visiting conductors. With an emphasis on refining performance practice, artistry and technique, and developing and improving interpretive skills through consideration, reflection and the application of current practice styles across a broad range of symphonic conducting repertoire, from the Baroque through the 20th Century periods.

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OUR PROFESSORS

Conducting with Derek Gleeson, Music Director of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra and Executive Director of the European Academy of Fine Arts

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Live Orchestra to Film with John Beal, acclaimed American film composer and conductor 

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Concerto conducting with Nayden Todorov,  Music Director of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra

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6 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Six merit-based scholarships offered to qualifying students as determined by the Admissions Board.

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No additional scholarship applications. All accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships.

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Nayden Todorov
Scholarship

The Admissions Board and Nayden Todorov will grant the "Nayden Todorov Scholarship" to an accepted student in Spring 2021. Submit the program deposit before January 1st, 2021 to qualify.

€3,000

Amount:

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John Beal Scholarship

The Admissions Board and John Beal will grant the "John Beal Scholarship" to an accepted student in Spring 2021. Submit the program deposit before February 1st, 2021 to qualify.

€3,000

Amount:

Valeri Vachev

Valeri Vachev Scholarship

In Memoriam of the great Valeri Vachev, Principal Conductor of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra. Submit the program deposit before March 1st, 2021 to qualify for this scholarship.

€3,000

Amount:

Derek Gleeson

Derek Gleeson
Scholarship

The Admissions Board and Derek Gleeson will make a joint decision and name an annual "Derek Gleeson Scholarship" recipient.

Amount:

€3,000

Malcolm Yuen

Malcolm Yuen
Scholarship

The Admissions Board and Programme Director Malcolm Yuen will make a joint decision and name an annual "Malcolm Yuen Scholarship" recipient. 

Amount:

€3,000

Christo Pavlov

Christo Pavlov Scholarship

The Admissions Board and Christo Pavlov will make a joint decision and name an annual "Christo Pavlov Scholarship" recipient.

Amount:

€3,000

OUR CONDUCTORS IN ACTION

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Academic Calendar

Two semesters of course work with a third semester dedicated to the Major Project. SEMESTER 1 -- Full-time, presence in Sofia required Sept. 7, 2021 -- Semester 1 commences Nov. 25 -- Thanksgiving Holiday Dec. 10 -- Final day of classes Dec. 11 -- Winter break SEMESTER 2 -- Full-time, presence in Sofia required Jan. 10, 2022 -- Semester 2 commences Mar. 17 -- St. Patrick's Day Holiday May 13 -- Final day of classes May 27 -- Semester 2 ends SEMESTER 3 - Presence in Sofia Optional May 28, 2022 -- Semester 3 commences Aug. 31 -- Semester 3 ends



Tuition & Fees

Total Course Tuition: €24,450 Payment Schedule Program Deposit: €1,000 (Due to enroll) Tuition Downpayment: €4,000 (Due June 1, 2021) Payment 1: €7,000 (Due September 1, 2021) Payment 2: €6,450 (Due December 1, 2021) Payment 3: €6,000 (Due March 1, 2022) The MFA program at The Conducting Institute is providing conducting candidates more podium time and a more comprehensive conducting experience than any other program in the world. Be sure to check out the "Costs of Living in Sofia" dropdown to see how much more affordable Sofia is compared to other major European and American cities. Financial Aid Programs: USA: FAFSA - https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa Norway: Lanekassen - https://www.lanekassen.no/ Colombia: Colfuturo - https://www.colfuturo.org/



Costs of Living in Sofia

Costs of living in Sofia are extremely low in comparison to other major European and American cities. Exponentially cheaper than LA, NYC, London, Valencia, or Boston, while maintaining an extremely comfortable standard of living. Sofia, Bulgaria compared to other cities that house Conducting Masters degrees: 73% lower than New York City 65% lower than London 64% lower than Los Angeles 66% lower than Boston 30% lower than Valencia For more information on comparing prices between cities, visit www.numbeo.com The Conducting Institute will have a team ready to help students find accommodation in the city centre. MFA Students who wish to live together will be able to find shared accommodation for as low as €150 - €200 per month. MFA Students wo wish to live alone will be able to find accommodation for as low as €350 - €400 per month.



Visa Requirements

Students from the EU do not need a Visa. Students coming from outside the EU will need a Type D Student Visa. It is recommended that you begin looking at the required documents on the Bulgarian Embassy's website in your country in order to apply for a Visa.



Application Requirements

Submitting your application to The Conducting Institute is simple; please click here. Required documents to submit an application:

  • video examples of you conducting three (3) different pieces of contrasting styles (these need to be uploaded to a video streaming service such as YouTube or Vimeo so that you can insert links into your application for the Admissions Board to view)
  • 1-page Letter of Interest, detailing why you are a viable candidate to be considered by the Admissions Board for the MFA Program
  • copies (Image or PDF) of any music degrees / certifications you have earned
  • CV / Resume (PDF format)



European Academy of Fine Arts, Sofia is an Instructional Site of Irish American University. IAMU is an accredited institution of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the organisation that accredits The Juilliard School, The Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York Academy of Art, Columbia University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, West Point United States Military Academy, and more.

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info@eafa.iamu.edu

© 2020 European Academy of Fine Arts, Sofia

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Film Scoring Academy of Europe

ul. "Hristo Kovachev" 34

1527 Sofia Center, Bulgaria