The Jorma Panula Foundation

 

Jorma Panula acted as Professor in Orchestral Conducting at Helsinki's Sibelius Academy from 1973 to 1993, and as visiting professor at several other Scandinavian music academies. Over the years he has trained an impressive number of conductors, among whom Esa-Pekka Salonen, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Sakari Oramo, Mikki Franck.

 

Panula's approach to conductor training is based on his conviction that up-and-coming conductors need an "instrument", a live orchestra,  to be able to develop. Practice has shown that the experience of spending practice time with a live orchestra is crucial for the development of conductors, and that the size of the "live instrument" is irrelevant.

 

The  Jorma Panula Foundation conducting course, therefore , works with an "orchestra"

made up of  students taking part in the course, professional musicians and students preparing for professional musical careers. Any parts lacking in the orchestra will be played on keyboard instruments, if necessary.

 

The repertoire focused on is the familiar symphonic repertoire.

 

It is a six-day course which offers "hands-on" conducting practice in the mornings, and, in the afternoons video viewing sessions with  Professor Panula  commenting on the students' conducting. Students will have the opportunity to conduct the "orchestra"" for twenty minutes each day.

 

The course is open to ten students of all ages. Students from abroad are welcome.