Narva Music Forum - July 17-24
Classical Hugs Summer Academy in Narva, Estonia
Narva Town Symphony Orchestra

Scholarship application deadline - May 31; final application deadline - June 20.

About

Narva Music Forum Festival started in 2021 with the goal of inviting eminent musicians to Estonia. The festival provides an excellent opportunity for Estonian and international students to take master classes with Professors of leading European Conservatories and to perform solo with Narva Symphony Orchestra. For music-loving audiences in Narva and Northern Estonian provinces, it's a great chance to see internationally acclaimed musicians in their native town and to enjoy beautiful concerts. In 2021, Narva Music Forum welcomed Shlomo Mintz, who gave a fantastic performance at Narva's Geneva Concert Hall and masterclasses to Estonian and international violinists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Belgium, and Poland. Narva Music Forum-2022 presents orchestral & solo/chamber music concerts, and masterclasses with eminent professors from the United States, Finland, Spain, Italy, and Estonia.

Facilities

All masterclasses and rehearsals, are held at Geneva Hall Chamber Hall and at Narva Music School. 

Students' concerts will take place at Narva Castle and at Tallinn's Town Hall.

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Narva Music Forum in Narva is held in partnership with Narva Town Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Anatoli Štšura, which makes it possible for all instruments to participate in the Orchestra Academy, perform an orchestra audition simulation, and get excerpts training from experienced orchestra musicians, including Sergei Tiutiunik (1st violin - Kumy Sinfonietta) and Peter Sarapuu (Estonian National Orchestra and Professor at Estonian Academy of Music). Students can also perform a concerto with Narva Town Symphony Orchestra, and receive multi-camera recordings of their performance with professional sound. 

The Festival's Artistic Director/Founder is Michael Bulychev-Okser (USA). 

 

Eligibility 

Narva Music Forum accepts students of all ages and nationalities. 

Period of study

1 week, July 17-23 with an additional students' concert in Tallinn Town Hall on July 24. 

 

Costs of participation

Masterclasses + Orchestra program in Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Bassoon - 499 €

Orchestra/Chamber Music program only - 300 €

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Masterclasses are offered for the following instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Chamber Ensembles.

1 week - 3 masterclasses (60 mins each)

 In addition to masterclasses, study programs include:

- Participation in student concerts in Narva Castle and Tallinn Town Hall.

- Solo with Narva Town Symphony Orchestra (recorded by multi-angle cameras) - additional cost. 

- Chamber Music.

- Orchestral Academy as part of Narva Town Symphony Orchestra, led by maestro Anatoli Štšura (all instruments, except piano).

- Orchestral Audition Mastery - special course with Sergei Tiutiunik (Principal violinist: Kumy Sinfonietta).

- Observation of all masterclasses and concerts by festival professors and guest artists.

- High Definition Recording of all festival events and masterclasses.

- Walking tours in Narva & Tallinn. 

- Artistic portfolio photoshoot by the festival Photographer (in Tallinn). 

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Orchestra/Chamber Music program 

Cost: 300 €

The program is open to all orchestral instruments, except piano:

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpets, Trombone, English Horn, Timpani, Harp.

Program includes:

- 3 orchestral rehearsals with Maestro Anatoli Štšura as part of Narva Town Symphony Orchestra. 

- Participation in 2 orchestral concerts in Geneva Concert hall (Narva) and in Tallinn.  

- 1 Orchestra Audition simulation with Excerpts prepared - detailed feedback and coaching will be offered by the adjudication panel. Excerpts: 1 technical selection, 1 lyrical selection, 1 work for sightreading. 

- Orchestral masterclasses with key excerpts discussed with members of Kumy Sinfonietta, Mariinsky Theater, Estonian National Orchestra. 

- Chamber Music.. 

- HD Recording of all orchestral sections, rehearsals, and concerts.

- Daily Practicing hours in the same location as Masterclasses.

- Participation Diploma.

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Performance with Symphony Orchestra Program

Open to all instruments.

Costs* (all subject to €100 discount for masterclass participants)

€599 - 1st movement

€799 - 2nd & 3rd movement; €1,099 - Full Concerto.

€699 - Concert piece (e.g., Ravel's Tzigane)

Program includes:

- Perform a concerto with Narva Town Symphony Orchestra.

- 1 Orchestral rehearsal + 1 Dress Rehearsal with orchestra

- 1 Session with the conductor - Maestro Anatoli Štšura

- 1 Lesson on a concerto with a Professor of your choice.

- Multi-angle professional video + audio recording of your performance.

* Additional instruments may add to the cost of concerto performance. 

 

Scholarships: Limited number of stipends is offered to those who apply early: on or before May 31, 2022. 

Scholarships will be provided based on the applicants' video/audio recordings and personal financial needs. 

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Concerts

Student concerts will be offered in the Narva Castle (13th century), and in Tallinn Town Hall, the oldest parliament house in the entire Scandinavia. Orchestra concert on July 22 is held at the Great Hall of Geneva Concert Hall. 

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Narva City Symphony Orchestra

The Narva City Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra founded in Narva in 1994 and administered by the Cultural Department of narva city government. Since 1995, the orchestra has been the initiator of the International Yevgeny Mravinsky Music Festival in Narva.
Throughout its history, NTSO presented a variety of programs, including symphonic repertoire, opera, ballet, in Narva, Tallinn, and had trips to other countries of the Baltic region and beyond. The principal conductor and artistic director of the symphony orchestra is Anatoly Shchura. Students can also register to perform solo with an orchestra, see the Performance with Orchestra Program above, which is open to all instruments, including piano.  

Chamber Music. 

Students of all instruments will have the opportunity to perform as part of chamber ensembles with members of Estonian orchestras, and festival professors, including violinist Sergei Tiutiunik (Finland), pianist Michael Bulychev-Okser (USA), and Peter Sarapuu (principal bassoonist of the Estonian National Orchestra). 

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Transportation.

Narva City is located 2,5 hours by bus from Tallinn's Lennart Meri International Airport. Narva Music Forum Festival will provide transportation by bus to all students arriving to the festival. 

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Accommodation/Practicing

Accommodation is offered at Inger, Euroopa, or Narva Hotels and can be reserved in advance for a cost of €35 Euro/night per 1 guest.

Students may request a double occupancy room or stay in a single room. Additionally, accommodation is available at apartments in Narva. To inquire about accommodation in an apartment, please contact us at classicalhugs@gmail.com

Daily practicing is offered to all festival participants at Narva Music School, 15 minutes by foot from Geneva Hall and from Inger hotel.

 

Meals

Breakfasts will be offered each morning at Inger Hotel.

Lunches will be offered at the Euroopa Cafe near the Geneva Concert Hall at affordable rates. 

Dinners are offered at Inger Hotel at affordable rates. 

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Certificates & Diplomas

All Active students who have participated in the Narva Music Forum festival in Estonia will be given participation diplomas. 

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Repertoire

The repertoire for the Gala Orchestral Concert in Geneva Hall (Narva) will include D minor Concerto by J.S. Bach. 

The rest of the orchestral and chamber music repertoire will be determined on May 15, 2022.

Music parts will be emailed to all participants no later than June 30.

 

​Covid-19 regulations and safety

Currently, Estonia has a very low number of infections. It welcomes citizens from around the globe. Hotels, practice locations, and concert venues offer fully sanitized facilities, with many people already vaccinated. To learn more about rules, and how to enter Estonia safely, please visit:  kriis.ee  

 

How to apply

To apply, click on the Application link:

Deadlines: Early-bird Application (scholarship) - May 31; Final application deadline - June 20. 

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Professors and Guest Artists (Click on the photo for personal page)