The Conducting Chair of the Reina Sofía School of Music offers a unique academic programme that awards a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Orchestra Conducting Studies. The Chair is led by Nicolás Pasquet, with the collaboration of Jordi Francés and Miguel Ángel García Cañamero as associate professors.

In order to be admitted to the programme, candidates must have previously completed a Bachelor's degree in Orchestra Conducting, and a Master's degree will be an advantage. In some exceptional cases, the panel may invite candidates who do not meet these requirements to audition. The duration of the programme varies according to the student's profile, ranging from 1 to 2 years. Our priority is to provide an enriching and close educational experience, so the number of students will be limited to 4.

The practical approach is one of the fundamental pillars of our programme. Students will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with prestigious Spanish and European orchestras, immersing themselves in a fully professional environment. Orchestras like Orquesta de Extremadura, Orquesta de Navarra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, Orquesta de Córdoba, Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao, Filharmonie Hradec Králové or Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau are part of this collaboration.

We will continue working to expand our partnerships, in order to offer a direct student-orchestra contact at the highest international level, as it is the immersion in orchestral practice that will allow our students to gain the valuable experience that will enhance their skills and knowledge in the art of conducting.

At the Reina Sofía School of Music we pride ourselves on providing an education of the highest standard, with a unique focus on the professional and artistic development of our students. Below you will find more detailed information about the study programme.

Orchestral Practice:

Collaborations with Spanish and European orchestras to facilitate practical teaching in a fully professional environment, for 2-4 days at least 6 times a year.

Collaborating orchestras include the Orquesta de Extremadura, Orquesta de Navarra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, Orquesta de Córdoba, Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao, Filharmonie Hradec Králové and Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau.

Compulsory subjects:

• Instrumental Practice (for pianists).
• Instrumental Practice (for Orchestral Instrumentalists)
• Specialised Listening Education
• Singing
• Languages applied to singing: choose one or more from Italian, German, French, English.

Elective subjects [3 max]:

• Opera Repetition
• Artist Development
• Entrepreneurship
• History of Music
• History of Musical Thought
• History of Art
• Historiography and Analysis of Musical Performance
• Orchestra (participating as instrumentalist in orchestra, camerata, symphonietta meetings)
• Contemporary Instrumental Techniques
• Orchestration
• Instrumental Knowledge Seminars (bows, winds, percussion)

You can check the requirements for the auditions, as well as dates and specific repertoire, on the Registration page.