This five-day workshop offers nine conductors time on the podium to work on their technique of conducting and rehearsal preparation, with guidance from esteemed conducting teacher Dr. Monika Stefaniak, as well as conductor and Music Director of Willamette Falls Symphony and Tualatin Valley Symphony orchestras Dr. Mark Perlman. The orchestras are two community orchestras based in Portland, Oregon – Willamette Falls Symphony and Tualatin Valley Symphony.

 

This workshop will have its final as a public concert with Willamette Falls Symphony which will be video recorded. Participants will be free to use their resulting videos in the future as demonstrations of their conducting.

REPERTOIRE

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• Tualatin Valley Symphony:

  • J. Strauss II – An Der Schönen Blauen Donau (The Blue Danube Waltzes) 

  • Rossini – Il barbiere di Siviglia Overture (Barber of Seville) 

  • Verdi Overture to La forza del destino 

 

We recommend participants choose and focus on just one of these pieces to work during piano and string quartet sessions and two orchestra rehearsals.

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• Willamette Falls Symphony:

  • Mozart – Overture to Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) 

  • Bizet – Selections from Carmen Suites 1 & 2 

  • Beethoven - Symphony No. 8 
     

It is important to choose two pieces (as a “piece” we will count an overture, one or two movements of the Carmen Suite, or one of symphony movements) to allow organizers to compose the concert program from the first day of the workshop. Each participant will be working with the one piece (assigned by the organizers) to prepare well to conduct in the concert. 

 

Each participant will have 65 minutes conducting a string quintet and piano, and 60 minutes conducting full symphony orchestra, plus an appearance conducting a piece with orchestra in a public concert.   

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All participants are obliged to attend all sessions when they are not themselves conducting, observing the others’ sessions. 

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​One outstanding participant will be offered the chance to become the Assistant Conductor of the 2027 Oregon Mahler Festival (in July 2027).

 

The language of the Twin Rivers Conducting Workshop will be English. There is NO age limit for participants or observers.

 

The location of workshop is in the Portland, Oregon area:

• Tigard Friends Community Church (15800 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard, Oregon, USA), for the piano and string quartet sessions. 

• Oregon City United Methodist Church (18955 South End Rd, Oregon City, Oregon, USA)  for the workshop sessions with Tualatin Valley Symphony and Willamette Falls Symphony rehearsals and concert. 

 

To apply, please send via email:

1. A signed application form

2. A detailed CV / resume

3. Links to 1 or 2 video recordings of their conducting available online (not necessary but encouraged) Do not attach video files to the email.

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Submit by email to: twinriversworkshop@gmail.com. Application form available here.

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The deadline for applications is September 20, 2026. 
There is NO APPLICATION FEE. Early applications are welcome!

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The fee for the workshop is:

For active participants: $1895
For observers: $545(no podium time)

 

After receiving the applications the teachers will select the participants. The decision will be made in a couple of days after the September 20th application deadline and acceptance emails will be sent by email. 

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The fee must be paid via Paypal or bank transfer by no later than September 30th. If we do not receive payment from any initial accepted applicants by September 30th, then that person will lose their spot and someone on the reserve list will be invited instead.

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If any unexpected circumstances occur requiring cancelling of the workshop, the participation fees will be refunded in full.

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Travel expenses, lodging accommodations, and meals are NOT covered in the fee.   

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We will arrange with a local hotel near the Tigard venue to have a discounted rate for participants. 

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Application video guide (for participants only)

• The video excerpt should be up to 10 minutes long. It should be conducting an chamber group ro orchestra, or at least conducting two pianos, and with viewpoint on the conductor’s face or from their side, with a duration of least 5 minutes with one take of camera. 

• Applicants are not required to submit video links, but are encouraged to do so. 

• If applicants do not have any online video to share, teachers will make participation decisions based on the CV of the candidate.       

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​​The workshop will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday October 28. 2026, and conclude on Sunday November 1, at 5:15pm after the concert.