The masterclass for choral conductors started in 2015 under the direction of the renowned Bulgarian choral conductor, Professor Krikor Chetinyan and his assistant Krastin Nastev. Together, they developed the idea for this intensive workshop for conductors, interested in refining their skills through exploration of new and rarely performed choral repertoire.
During the last six editions (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022) the conducting sessions were combined with specialized presentations on diverse topics: Jazz (led by Miroslav Turiyski), Bulgarian folklore (led by Michael Delchev), American spiritual with Madlen Bachvarova, Scandinavian music with Jakob Grubbström; Milka Toledova, Adriana Blagoeva and Darina Krosneva offered a fascinating lecture on the traditions of Boys choirs in Bulgaria, and other past sessions included lectures on Sacred Orthodox music with Miroslav Popsavov, Late Romantic Music with Frieder Bernius, English Renaissance Tradition with Nelly Matova and Spanish Renaissance Music with Severin Vassilev.
The participants have had the opportunity to conduct different vocal ensembles: Chamber choir "Ivan Spassov" (with music director Gergana Lyutzkanova), Cantores Amicitie (with music director Jakob Grubbström), and Chamber choir of the Technical University Berlin (with music director Donka Miteva).
Every year, all active participants conduct a portion of the final concert of the masterclass. The repertoire selection for the summer of 2023 includes works for choir, piano and string ensemble. The final concert will take place in the restored 4th century Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis.
The 2023 edition is under the leadership of Krastin Nastev and Sergei Pavlov, and with the special participation of James Han from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, USA. Zornitsa Getova from the National Music Academy in Sofia will be the pianist for the workshop. This edition's specialized session will be presented by the organist Vessela Dyakova from Belgium who will offer practical advice on how to use the various organ registers in order to enrich the sound of a choir when performing with an organ accompaniment.
The masterclass is part of the summer activities of The National School of Music and Dance "Dobrin Petkov" in Plovdiv.
The course languages will be English, Spanish, and Bulgarian.
