An elite program for orchestra conductors.

The master class program Dirigentforum Orchestra is aimed at musicians or conducting students who can demonstrate a high conducting level and a great artistic potential.

In Dirigentforum Orchestra, we recruit outstanding young talents for a master class programme. Four or five weekends a year, we use our own hired rehearsal orchestra, "Orkester Ø", which holds master classes for the participants in the Conductor's Forum orchestra. These events are also open to the public/passive participants) in the orchestra hall in the Opera in Oslo. In addition, we visit the professional orchestras in Norway to arrange master classes with them. In Dirigentforum we use leading international mentors and instructors such as Jorma Panula, Edward Gardner, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Sakari Oramo, Peter Eötvös, Leif Ove Andsnes, Wofram Christ, Eva Ollikainen, Matthew Halls, James Gaffigan, Hannu Lintu, Johannes Schlaefli, Nicolás Pasquet, Mark Stringer, Eivind Aadland, Anna-Maria Helsing, and more. It is the Professional Council in Dirigentløftet that selects the participants in Dirigentforum (after trial conducting) and determines the repertoire and mentors/instructors.

The participants in Dirigentforum Orkester get access to coaching through Talent Norway'. They receive professional photographs and can take part in various industry courses together with the other participants in Dirigentforum.

Participants are admitted for two years at a time, and can have up to two periods. The participants in Dirigentforum Orkester are selected solely on the basis of artistic, musical and conducting qualifications. There is no requirement for formal education. The upper age limit for application is 30 years. The program has approx. eight places and entrance exams are held annually. Applicants must submit an application with a CV, letter of motivation and a video recording of their own conducting. Current candidates are invited to test conducting.

Admission to Dirigentforum Orkester takes place in January, with an application deadline in December. Calls for applications are announced at dirigentloftet.no.