Tanglewood Music Center

2026 Conducting Program

Conducting Fellows experience an unparalleled summer at Tanglewood, working under the guidance of BSO Music Director and Head of Conducting at Tanglewood Andris Nelsons, and leading the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in concert. 

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

Each Conducting Fellow leads the world-class Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in at least five works a season, experiencing a minimum of 15 hours of independent podium time with the group. 

For at least one work per season, Fellows have the opportunity to lead a piece of their own choosing, determined in collaboration with TMC administration. Examples of works led by Fellows in recent seasons include Bernstein Suite from On the Waterfront, Strauss Don Juan, Ravel Daphnis et Chloé Suite no. 2, Bartók Dance Suite, and Prokofiev Symphony no. 1.

In addition to working with Andris Nelsons, Fellows interact with TMCO guest conductors, soloists, and musicians in a variety of formats, including rehearsal observations, classes, panels, score study sessions, and informal discussions. 

2026 TMCO conductors and repertoire will include:

• Andris Nelsons leading Haydn Symphony No. 31, Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Strauss Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
• Esa-Pekka Salonen leading the Festival of Contemporary Music and Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
• TMC Conducting Fellows leading Debussy La Mer and Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin

Faculty and Conducting Workshops

TMC Conducting Fellows participate in many classes and workshops each season. Several conducting workshops led by guest conductors and faculty are open to the public, while weekly studio classes are held in a private setting.

Vocal Music

Conducting Fellows collaborate with the Vocal Arts Program, under the direction of Dawn Upshaw, on several projects throughout the summer. These often include chamber works with voice, operatic excerpts, and/or orchestrated song. In recent years, Fellows have conducted Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges and opera scenes from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Die Zauberflöte. In 2026, Conducting Fellows and Vocal Fellows will perform scenes from American opera.

BSO Appearance and Career Development

Each Conducting Fellow leads a work on a Boston Symphony Orchestra subscription concert in the season following their fellowship. This chance to share the stage with BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons in a high-profile, professional setting allows Fellows to gain invaluable experience and deepen their relationship with the BSO. 

The subscription concert also serves as a capstone of TMC mentorship from the summer, developing Fellows’ confidence in engaging with press, media, and development to further their long-term professional credentials. 

Leipzig Residency

As part of the Boston Symphony's alliance with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, TMC Conducting Fellows will be considered to participate in a residency in Leipzig, Germany following their fellowship. This provides a unique opportunity to conduct members of the Mendelssohn Orchestra Academy in the Gewandhaus while working closely with BSO Music Director and Head of Conducting at Tanglewood Andris Nelsons.

New Music

Conducting Fellows have significant involvement in new music, especially during the Festival of Contemporary Music, curated in 2026 by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Fellows conduct larger chamber projects and often lead world premieres of TMC-commissioned works. They also lead the Fromm Players, the TMC’s elite group of musicians focused on the performance of new music, in performances of the Silent Film Project, featuring original film scores written by TMC Composition Fellows. 

Special Projects

Conducting Fellows often lead larger chamber works performed by Instrumental Fellows for non-orchestral programs throughout the season. They may also lead sectionals for strings, winds, brass, and percussion under the guidance of section representatives from the BSO. 

Conducting Seminar

In addition to the Conducting Fellows, a small group of applicants are selected as Conducting Seminarians and invited to attend Tanglewood for ten days to become familiar with all that Tanglewood has to offer. During their time on campus, Seminarians attend conducting classes with faculty, observe TMC and BSO rehearsals, and live in the manner of the TMC Fellows, with room and board provided. Select Seminarians may also be invited to conduct performances of chamber works with TMC Instrumental Fellows later during the season.