International Conductors Exchange Program

SELECTION CRITERIA – EMERGING CONDUCTOR

The ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program Review Committee is charged with the selection of emerging leaders of the choral profession. The ICEP Review Committee has developed the following list of criteria.

1. Is a current member of ACDA
2. Is an active choral conductor in a professional (remunerative) position
3. Has completed at least a master’s degree
4. Leads choirs with a demonstrated a level of excellence
5. Exhibits a high level of human understanding, tact, and cross-cultural sensitivity
6. Has a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 20 years as full time in the profession

Candidates may reflect a wide diversity of interests and accomplishments (church/synagogue, community choir, primary, secondary and higher education, et al.). 

Application opens no later than August 1, 2023. Application deadline: September 30, 2023. 

In 2023, six American and six Israeli conductors will be selected to participate in a bilateral, mutual exchange to take place in 2024. Conductors will be paired based on backgrounds and interests, and will visit each other’s choral communities, sharing techniques, and learning best practices.

Residencies for our Israeli conductors will be centered around our 2024 ACDA regional conferences (Late January-March) and will be hosted by the U.S. ICEP conductors in their local communities (region visits) for 3-5 days before or after the conference. In turn, the American conductors will be hosted in Israel. Typical residencies are 9-10 days (inclusive of travel), and will be centered around the Zimriya Choral Festival, to be held in Acre, Israel June 23-27, 2024

American conductors host visiting Israeli counterparts in their local regions for approximately 3-5 days either prior to, or following the Region conference in their Region and attend Region conference with their guest. American hosts are expected to create a schedule of activities for their guest. Typical activities include leading rehearsals, giving workshops, teaching classes, participating in music for faith communities, rehearsal and concert observations, and in some cases leading concerts or portions of concerts. Itineraries that reach a broad community and multiple organizations are encouraged.

As on the U. S. side, local activities in Israel will be arranged by the hosts, and will vary with each location, depending on local circumstances, and the interests of each conductor.

American conductors going abroad are responsible for their own travel to and from Israel. They will be hosted while in country. Similarly, visiting Israeli conductors are responsible for their own travel to the United States. ACDA hosts the visiting Israeli guests at the Region conference, and also provides for their lodging, food, and travel to or from the region they are visiting before or after the conference. 

American participants selected for the program are expected to host the visiting Israeli conductor during their region visit (typically 3-5 days). Hosting means providing housing (homestays or hotel), meals, and local transport as necessary for the planned activities.  

SELECTION CRITERIA – EMERGING CONDUCTOR
The ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program Review Committee is charged with the selection of emerging leaders of the choral profession, who 1) have not had significant international conducting experience, and 2) reflect a high level of excellence, as well as a wide diversity of interests. The ICEP Review Committee has developed the following list of criteria.

1. Is a current member of ACDA;
2. Is an active choral conductor in a professional (remunerative) position;
3. Has completed at least a master’s degree;
4. Leads choirs with a demonstrated level of excellence;
5. Exhibits a high level of human understanding, tact, and cross-cultural sensitivity;
6. Has completed a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 20 years as full time in the profession.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
The delegation should reflect a wide diversity of interests and accomplishments. The ICEP Review Committee will therefore consider conductors from diverse professional backgrounds (high school, community, elementary, higher education, communities of faith, etc.)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

1.  Statement of Purpose (PDF document)
Please address your qualifications and desire to participate in ICEP. Because ICEP is a reciprocal exchange, ICEP fellows from the United States will also host their international counterparts. In your statement of purpose, please share your vision of how you might structure an experience for a visiting conductor to benefit your wider choral community. In addition, please share how your experience in Germany might impact your future work and how you plan to continue to foster the relationships built.

2. Curriculum Vitae (PDF document)

3. Two Letters of Recommendation (PDF documents)

4. Video Submission. See guidelines below

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VIDEO GUIDELINES

REPERTOIRE
1. Two selections from different periods.
2. Selections should represent two different languages.
3. Selections should be in contrasting tempo and style.

REHEARSAL
1. The applicant should rehearse the choir in such a way as to focus on gestural communication, rehearsal technique, and the development of the musical product (in much the same manner as a guest conductor in a festival setting).
2. The ICEP Review Committee will place primary value on gestural language, and an efficient rehearsal technique that displays a positive, inclusive and collaborative atmosphere with singers.
3. The ICEP Review Committee will also place value on mastery of interpretation and effective communication.

CAMERA ANGLE
1. The camera angle will show a full frontal view of the applicant and all conducting movements.
2. The choral sound and comments of the applicant must be clearly audible on the video recording.
3. The applicant will begin each selection by announcing the title and composer of the work to be presented.

FORMAT & DURATION
1. The video recorded selections will be presented consecutively without stopping between selections.
2. The video recording will not be edited in any manner.
3. The video recording will show the applicant conducting and rehearsing for a minimum of twelve minutes and a maximum of fifteen minutes.
4. The time should be divided equally between the two selections.

Please fill out the following form and upload your supporting documents by September 30, 2023. If you have any questions, please email .