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Tanglewood Music Center

Conducting Program Application Instructions

  • Applications for the Conducting Program are now closed.

Requirements

  • Online application must be completed by December 12, 2024 at 11:59PM Eastern
  • Applicants to the Tanglewood Music Center must be at least 18 years old as of June 20, 2025. 
  • Applicants must be available for the entire duration of the 2025 TMC residency from June 20 – August 19. 
  • Applicants to the Tanglewood Music Center (TMC) must submit an application, including a $75 application fee, via getacceptd.com/tanglewood.
  • Applicants experiencing any hardship that they feel renders them unable to pay the application fee are asked to fill out this form to request an application fee waiver.

Application

As part of completing the online application, conducting applicants will be required to submit: 

  • A current resume 
  • One letter of recommendation. You will be asked to provide the contact information for this reference on the GetAcceptd application. Upon completion of your application, your reference  will be prompted to upload the recommendation. Recommendations should be in PDF format.
  • A list of repertoire you have conducted in public the last three years (including ensemble, location, and date). If possible, this list should include all repertoire you’ve led in public but, if needed, can instead be arranged to highlight the breadth of your performances.
  • Video samples (see requirements below)

Audition

Applicants must upload FIVE video samples: 

  • FOUR samples of footage of the applicant conducting an orchestra in concert, from a minimum of two different concerts. 
  • ONE sample of a rehearsal. This sample must include the applicant giving clearly audible rehearsal feedback to the ensemble. Please check the audio levels before uploading this video to make sure we can hear you speaking.
  • Samples should be as recent as possible. 
  • Samples should display a variety of repertoire styles including classical, romantic, and modern works. 
  • Samples should include the candidate working with at least two different orchestras.
  • Repeat applicants are strongly encouraged to offer material different from that which they have previously submitted. 

Each sample must be uploaded as a separate video file and together should total no more than 30 minutes in length. Video footage should be single camera footage that focuses on the conductor, not the ensemble.

A limited number of finalists for the conducting program will be invited to participate in live interviews with an audition committee including BSO Music Director and Head of Conducting at Tanglewood Andris Nelsons in January. These interviews will be conducted over Zoom.