8–11 April 2027
Arvo Pärt Centre, Laulasmaa, Estonia
The masterclass is intended for choral conductors at university level or above and is aimed at participants with previous conducting experience.
The masterclass will welcome up to eight active participants and up to 30 observers. Active participants will be selected from among the applicants, and all applicants will be notified of the results in mid-January.
Observer places are not subject to a selection process and will be allocated until all places are filled. Observers will have access to the full programme, excluding the individual practical sessions with the choir.
The masterclass programme will include works by Arvo Pärt alongside selected works from the early vocal polyphonic repertoire. The detailed repertoire will be announced in January 2027.
Active participants
Each active participant will have an individual conducting session of approximately 20 minutes per day, working with the choir under the guidance of the master teacher, in addition to shared rehearsals with The Carice Singers and the wider masterclass programme.
All rehearsals and the final concert will take place in the Arvo Pärt Centre’s Concert Hall. The working language of the masterclass is English.
The programme for active participants includes:
- individual conducting sessions with Paul Hillier and George Parris
- practical work with The Carice Singers
- rehearsals preparing the programme for the final concert
- additional individual consultations with Paul Hillier and George Parris on the final day, according to participants’ needs and by prior agreement
- a guided tour of the Arvo Pärt Centre’s exhibitions, library and archive
- a lecture by an APC researcher
- a film evening
- participation in the final concert on 11 April, during which the active participants will conduct The Carice Singers alongside Paul Hillier and George Parris
During the masterclass, participants will have access to the Centre’s exhibitions, library and documentary film about Arvo Pärt.
Programme
A detailed programme will be provided to participants once registration and payment have been completed.
8 April
- Arrival and registration
- Guided tour of the Arvo Pärt Centre
- Paul Hillier: introduction and work with the choir
- Individual conducting sessions with Paul Hillier and The Carice Singers
- Lecture by an APC researcher
9 April
- Individual conducting sessions with Paul Hillier and The Carice Singers
- Rehearsal and preparation with The Carice Singers for the final concert programme
- Evening visit to Tallinn
10 April
- A special repertoire selection by George Parris and The Carice Singers, followed by rehearsal with the choir
- Individual conducting sessions with George Parris and The Carice Singers
- Film screening — a portrait film of Arvo Pärt and his music
11 April
- Optional individual consultations with Paul Hillier and George Parris
- Final rehearsal in the Arvo Pärt Centre Concert Hall
- Final concert
Fees
Active participant — €800
The fee includes the full masterclass programme, individual conducting sessions, practical work and rehearsals with The Carice Singers, and participation in the final concert.
Lunch, dinner and refreshments during the working sessions are also included.
Accommodation is not included. Please see the accommodation section below for details.
Observer — €300
The fee includes access to the full masterclass programme as an observer, including the Centre programme, lunch, dinner and refreshments, transport for the Tallinn excursion, and a ticket to the final concert.
Accommodation is not included. Please see the accommodation section below for details.
Day ticket — €80 (€35 on the final day)
Day tickets are available for individual days of the masterclass, subject to availability. On the first three days, the ticket includes access to the full programme scheduled for the selected day.
On the final day, the €35 ticket includes admission to the Centre, access to the concert rehearsal as an observer, and a ticket to the final concert.
Accommodation and travel are not included.
Accommodation
Participants may arrange their own accommodation or stay at La Spa Hotel, where a special rate has been agreed with the Arvo Pärt Centre. More information will be available soon.
For participants attending the full masterclass, accommodation for five nights, 7–12 April 2027, is recommended.
Application
Active participants
Applications for active participants are open until 30 December 2026, 9 pm (EET).
Application form for active participants
Observers
Observers can register for the masterclass and purchase their tickets through Fienta. To help us with planning, we encourage early registration. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact: masterclass@arvopart.ee