Budapest Summer Film Music Conducting Workshop
27th - 30th August 2026
Pannonia Sound Studios
Budapest, Hungary
with Jonathan Brett, Dr. Yati Durant and the Pannonia Film Orchestra Budapest
In collaboration with Conductors Academy
Active participation for the workshop, including 30-minutes of orchestral conducting, with professional recording included.
Fee for the orchestra workshops and sessions 1250 Euros. Deadline to receive applications is 28th February 2026
Early Bird Bonus: apply before 31st December 2025 and receive the Introductory courses with Conductors Academy (six weekly online classes from 9/10 January 2026) free.
Learn-by-doing the complex art and technique of conducting orchestral film scores
We are delighted to open applications for a new film music conducting intensive workshop + recording session with the Pannonia Film Orchestra, in collaboration with Conductors Academy. The sessions take place in the Pannonia Sound Studios, Budapest.
The conducting workshop and sessions are geared toward specialised skills and techniques for advanced film music composers and conductors. The sessions will be recorded at the highest professional standards by the renowned Pannonia Sound Studios, enabling participants to record their own works for film or demos.
You will conduct your own film scores with a world-renowned film orchestra
Led by two renowned expert professionals in conducting and conducting for films with decades of conducting teaching experience, the workshops are with Jonathan Brett (Conductors Academy, English Classical Players, Moscow Philharmonic), and Dr. Yati Durant (MSCN, IMMSANE, Soundtrack_Cologne CineConcerts, Edinburgh Film Music Orchestra, Staatsorchester Braunschweig, WDR Funkhausorchester, Neues Rheinisches Kammerorchester).
Participants will develop and implement advanced orchestral conducting skills and translate them into the practice of specialised skills in conducting for film music orchestras. The aims of this workshop are the preparation of correct scores that include synchronisation (click or streamers/punches) for film and the usage of efficient gestures and conducting techniques to achieve this with an orchestra.
All applicants can attend the preparatory online classes in January - February 2026. A Methods of Orchestral Film Music Sessions course (18th - 19th April 2026 will prepare participants for composing and directing their work specifically for the scoring session. The lead-up days to the session (27th - 29th August 2026) will involve theory, practical skills, lectures on conducting and to synch, and 1-to-1 sessions in preparing music and synch/click. Each participant will receive specific preparation support and tutoring on the highest professional/pedagogic levels, in order to make the most of the time with the orchestra. At the end of the workshop, participants will receive all takes and stems of the ProTools recordings of their music, a video recording of their conducting, and a certificate of workshop completion from MSCN and Conductors Academy.
Learn how to get the most out of the orchestra and your music
Schedule:
Introductory courses with Conductors Academy, six weekly online classes from 9/10 January 2026
Understanding complexity: Organising our approach
The basis of connection: Connecting musical narrative to external stimulus
Managing sound: The keys to flow, phrasing and colouration.
Managing narrative: Stimulating high quality sound.
Setting the trajectory: Turning theory into practice.
18th - 19th April 2026, Methods of Orchestral Film Music Sessions online preparation course with Dr. Yati Durant
The unique demands of the film music orchestra: what it can/will do
“To-click-or-not to click” methods of synch
The conductor’s “other jobs” with a film music orchestra
Review of works for the August session
27th August 2026, Arrival and Evening Introduction in Budapest
28th August 2026, Conducting Rehearsals
29th August 2026, Recording preparation
preparing synch/click and technical finalisation
Final organisation for the conducting at the recording session
30th August 2026, 11am - 6pm, Conducting and recording with the 29-piece Pannonia Film Orchestra
Evening reception and farewell
Application procedure
Applications from conductors and composers with previous experience conducting and recording of ensembles are preferred, although not strictly necessary. The theoretical and technical concepts of this course are designed to improve the conducting practice of conductors with basic technique and will be delivered in an easily understood format suitable for all musical backgrounds. The teaching is in English.
The application fee (€50) provides the preparatory classes – which will be available on video for anyone unable to attend on the dates listed above.
The deadline for applications is 28th February 2026. Each application will be carefully considered. Those selected for active participation will need to confirm their participation by paying a deposit of €500 within seven days of receiving their offer, and the rest balance by April 30th 2026.
Participants are responsible for their own accommodation in Budapest, although we will provide suggestions and organisational support on where to stay. For any further questions about the MSCN Budapest Summer Film Music Conducting Workshop 2026, please email us at info@mscnfilmmusicfestivalsacademy.com.
FMFA Complete programme 10% discount
We are also offering a 10% discount for the Complete FMFA Mentorship Programme, including the 2026 FMFA Mentorship Programme AND the 2026 Budapest Summer Film Music Conducting Workshop.
Please indicate your interest on the checkbox in your application. The discount applies to the combined programme fees, and does not require more than one application fee! (an additional €50 is saved! ).
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Jonathan Brett
As a performer, Jonathan Brett is known for his exceptional interpretative insight and flair combined with brilliance and clarity of technique. Added to a rare sense of daring, these attributes mean that his performances are imbued with a real sense of adventure. As a teacher, he is noted for exceptional knowledge about connecting gesture and sound and the clarity of his explanations as to how this can be most effectively achieved.
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Dr. Yati Durant
Dr. Yati Durant is a US born composer of concert and film music, lecturer, trumpeter, and conductor living in Berlin. His compositions and film scores have received many prizes from international festivals, and he has received commissions and premieres from many well-known artists and ensembles from around the world. His TV and Film credits include work for WDR, ARD, HBO, MTV, Disney, and many others. He is Director of CineConcerts@Soundtrack_Cologne, Music Director and Conductor of the Edinburgh Film Music Orchestra (2010 - 2019), Guest Conductor at Staatsorchester Braunschweig, Neue Rheinisches Kammerorchester, and other renowned orchestras at prestigious film events throughout Europe.
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Pannonia Film Orchestra Budapest
Budapest's reputation as a great music centre has made it one of the most active film music city in the world. With the most talented musicians, the Pannonia Film Orchestra combines the experience of the Pannonia Studio's 50-year professional base with a wold-class technical solutions. Our versatile orchestra, based in the Pannonia Studio, is made up of the most experienced musicians in film scoring and regularly records in both classical orchestral and modern styles, where string techniques and unique soundscapes are in demand. All the conductors we work with have excellent English communication skills and are highly skilled in classical and modern film scoring styles.
FAQ
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You can go to the application link HERE. The application fee is €50, which includes a one-hour 1-to-1 session to discuss your submission and develop a personalised plan for your participation in the workshop.
Former and current participants of any MSCN Film Music Festivals Academy programme, as well as MSCN Complete applicants, are exempt from paying the application fee.
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Yes, you can conduct your own composition!
As part of the project you will receive 30-minutes of podium time with the Pannonia Film Music Orchestra, which normally equates to the recording of a composition or film score of around 5-minutes at the highest professional standard.
Additionally, we will help you prepare your piece for the orchestra and mentor you throughout the process.
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Applications from conductors and composers with previous experience conducting and recording of ensembles are preferred, although not strictly necessary.
The theoretical and technical concepts of this course are designed to improve the conducting practice of conductors with basic technique and will be delivered in an easily understood format suitable for all musical backgrounds. The teaching is in English.
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Yes, absolutely.
We can also provide orchestra-ready compositions from many famous film music composers in our archives for you to prepare and conduct.
For educational purposes, we can use these compositions in the sessions, but they can not be recorded without the composer’s consent.
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The cost of recording in the Pannonia Studios Budapest with a professional 29-piece orchestra, including recording and engineering fees, in addition to the educational preparatory courses generates a significant cost. We feel our course offers the highest educational and professional standards at a very competitive cost to the participant. Most similar workshops cost a lot more.
Once you apply and are accepted, you will receive an invoice for which you must pay within 7 days to confirm your spot with the orchestra. Should the project be cancelled for any reason, you will receive 100% of the course fee back minus the application fee (if any). We are unable to return the course fee after the recording sessions are confirmed.