MASTERCLASS WITH YUVAL WEINBERG AND STUDIO CHOIR SWR VOKALENSEMBLE

01 - 04 October 2026, Leipzig

Under the direction of Yuval Weinberg, this four-day choral conducting masterclass as part of chor.com 2026 offers choir directors the opportunity to develop the conducting skills in all aspects, improve body language, solve rhythmical problems, create a tone controlled technique, show dynamical differences, pronunciation, intonation and interpretation. Furthermore, new and interesting repertoire will be introduced.

The participants can test their learnings directly together with the SWR Vokalensemble. A concert in Leipzig, led by the participants themselves, will conclude the masterclass on Sunday, 04 October 2026.

Yuval Weinberg has been at the helm of the SWR Vokalensemble as chief conductor since the start of the 2020/2021 season. He studied singing and conducting in Tel Aviv and continued his training with Jörg-Peter Weigle at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin and Grete Pedersen in Oslo. From 2015 to 2017, he was chief conductor of the Oslo Chamber Choir NOVA and the National Youth Choir of Norway and 2019-2023 Artistic Director of the EuroChoir He has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Norske Solistkor since 2019.

The SWR Vokalensemble is one of the international top ensembles in the professional choir scene. Ever since the ensemble was founded almost 75 years ago it has devoted its passion and extraordinary vocal competence to exemplary performances and the further development of vocal music. Since 2020 Yuval Weinberg has been the ensemble’s artistic director. With the complete recording of all choral works by György Ligeti, released in 2023, he presented his first recording as chief conductor of the SWR Vokalensemble, being rewarded with the annual “Diapason D’Or” and “Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik”.

REPERTOIRE

The repertoire fort he masterclass consists of the following works:

  • Olivier Messiaen: Cinq Rechants für 12 Stimmen a cappella (1/2 Chor)
  • Kaija Saariaho: Nuits, Adieux für 4 Soli und 12-stimmigen Chor a cappella (1/2 Chor)
  • Bohuslav Martinu: Tschechische Madrigale (Auswahl) 
  • Johannes Brahms:  Fünf Gesänge op 104 Nr 1-3 

APPLICATIONS FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

PARTICIPANTS

This masterclass is aimed at advanced choir conducting students as well as experienced choir conductors who would like to deepen their knowledge of conducting techniques and body expression to strengthen communication and artistic output. The number of active participants is limited to six persons. Selected parts of this masterclass will be open to passive participants (listeners) as well. 

The masterclass is held in German and English.

Click here to download the application information (PDF).

PREPARATIONS

In preparation for the masterclass, participants are expected to study the score in detail and familiarise themselves with the works. The successful applicants will receive materials in advance (e.g. on Czech pronunciation). If necessary, there will be an online preliminary meeting prior to chor.com. Details will be announced in good time.

PRICES

Participation in this masterclass is covered by price of the chor.com full-access ticket (Gesamtticket €360 normal price, concessions €180 for students, schoolchildren, unemployed persons, trainees, participants in the German Federal Volunteer Service, persons doing military or civilian service, persons with disabilities with a degree of 50 or more, subject to valid ID. This ticket additionally permits the holder to take part in other chor.com workshops and concerts (depending on availability and prior registration). One-day tickets do not entitle the holder to participate.

Board and lodgings are not included in the price of the ticket and must be organized independently. Full-access tickets are available at www.chor.com/tickets or at the chor.com event itself.

PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR APPLICATION

To apply as an active participant in the masterclass, please fill out the relevant application form. Please include:

  • CV
  • Cover letter
  • Video (showing the applicant from the front and from the side).

Links to YouTube and other online platforms are welcomed. Alternatively, you may send a DVD via postal service to: Deutscher Chorverband e. V., chor.com/Masterclass Weinberg, Karl-Marx-Str. 145, 12043 Berlin, Germany.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

The closing date for applications is 30 June 2024. The selection will be made latest by mid-august 2024.

APPLY HERE:

Application form

PASSIVE PARTICIPATION

Registered full-access participants of the chor.com can also passively participate in public sessions of the masterclasses without applying. For these time slots, a chor.com ticket (full-access ticket or day ticket) is a prerequisite as is the registration which is part of the workshop bookings.

CONTACT AND ENQUIRIES


Maike Fiedler
Deutscher Chorverband e. V.
Karl-Marx-Straße 145, 12043 Berlin, Deutschland 

projektbuero[at]deutscher-chorverband.de, Tel. 030 847108930