About the International Conducting Workshop and Festival (ICWF)
Since 2002, ICWF has offered unparalleled conducting training and critique in an intensive, yet non-competitive, professional, and supportive atmosphere creating a superb opportunity to immerse oneself deeply in important standard orchestral repertoire studying with faculty of world class stature.
For practical experience, all participants conduct both full orchestra and piano sextet. Subjects studied include conducting technique, interpretation, score study, analysis, rehearsal technique, stage deportment, and musician interaction.
ICWF 2025 Dallas
The International Conducting Workshop and Festival is thrilled to announce ICWF 2025: Dallas, a new partnership with the Plano West High School Orchestra and Boosters, Ryan Ross, Orchestra Director, in Plano, TX (a suburb of Dallas) to present a workshop from June 16 through June 22, 2025 focusing on Mahler and Mozart and led again by Donald Schleicher (Northwestern University Bienen School of Music) and Farkhad Khudyev (University of Texas Austin Butler School of Music). They will be assisted by Benjamin Loeb (ICWF Artistic Director). Susan Dunn will lead Presence on Stage sessions, and Michael Sheppard will be the workshop pianist.
ICWF 2026: Ústí nad Labem, Czech August!
From August 9-26, 2026 the International Conducting Workshop and Festival will present ICWF 2026 Ústí nad Labem August in Ústí nad Labem, Czech in partnership with the Orchestra of the City of Ústí nad Labem. The workshop will include three public concerts conducted by the conducting participants and Benjamin Loeb, who will conduct the concerto accompaniments. The workshops will focus on varied standard repertoire and will be led by Farkhad Khudyev (University of Texas, Austin, Butler School of Music, DIrector of Orchestras), Rei Hotoda (Music Director Las Vegas Philharmonic), and Benjamin Loeb (ICWF Artistic Director). This is the perfect opportunity to get excellent video with full orchestra for applications to schools and competitions.
ICWF 2024 The Orchestra of the City of Ústí nad Labem
ICWF 2024 Orchestra of the City of Ústí nad Labem. Conductors: Feliza Estrada, Justin Han, Jacqueline Klein, John Moon, Michael Sheppard.
Watch their entire concert here:
Don Schleicher's 12 Ingredients to be a Great Conductor
Don Schleicher tells us all the "12 Ingredients to be a Great Conductor" with Benjamin Loeb