Mei-Ann Chen: 8th Shanghai International Conducting Masterclass

09 - 13 Dec, 2026
Mei-Ann Chen is a dynamic Taiwanese-American conductor, educator, and mentor. She is Music Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta and Chief Conductor of recreation – Großes Orchester Graz.

In July 2026, she will become Director of Orchestral Activities and Chair of Conducting at the Manhattan School of Music.

With 14 years of growth, the Shanghai International Conducting Masterclass (SICM) is now one of the leading names in global conducting education.

Markus Stenz, Jorma Panula, Thomas Sanderling, John Nelson were served as mentors. Around 10 participants are selected each year from hundreds of applicants worldwide (acceptance rate below 10%), with free tuition. Students rehearse directly with the orchestra, receive real-time feedback, and perform a final public concert. Over 30 countries have been represented, creating a premier platform for young conductors to gain top-level professional training.

Registration deadline
September 30, 2026 (subject to the receipt of application materials by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music)

Selected participants will be notified by email on October 15.

Admission results
Accepted applicants will be contacted by the organizing committee, so please ensure smooth communication via
email/social media platforms.

Cost
All selected participants will receive a FULL tuition waiver. However, participants must bear all personal expenses
incurred in Shanghai (airfare/hotel/meals).

Agenda
December 9: Arrival/Registration
December 10-12: Masterclass
December 13: Concert 14:30h

Repertoire
STRAVINSKY: L’histoire du Soldat
MAHLER: Symphony No.4 (Chamber Version)

Notes
1. Each participant will conduct the concert on December 13. All participants need to prepare the entire
repertoire. On December 11-12, Prof. Chen will decide the performance content and order for each participant.

2. All rehearsals and performances of the masterclass will be recorded. All selected participants are advised to
bring a large-capacity SD card and a computer/tablet capable of reading SD cards for recording, copying,
and viewing the videos for daily seminars.

3. The orchestra follows standard instrumentation, though sporadic substitutions with piano/electronic organ may
occur where necessary.

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Organized by: Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Undertaked by: Composition and Conducting Department, Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Contact Information: Phone: (+86) 021-53307380, Mrs. Qin, Mr. Wang
E-mail: zqx@shcmusic.edu.cn