OCC Director for 2011 is Martyn Brabbins, a highly regarded and experienced conductor and teacher of conducting.

The course provides a stimulating and supportive environment in which conductors can share in an intensive period of study. Most importantly, as part of the St Magnus Festival, OCC enables participants to work with outstanding orchestras, ensembles, conductors and soloists. In 2011 these will include the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, conductors Martyn Brabbins and Charles Peebles, composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and other Festival artists. Participants will also work with the St Magnus Composers' Course and conduct a Festival concert of new works written by the composers during the course.

Initial sessions are with two pianos, focusing on clarity of communication of musical ideas. The students' work is video-recorded and time is spent analysing these recordings. The two-piano work prepares students for a full day of rehearsal with the orchestra and one day with the resident ensemble.

Participants also direct a rehearsal with the St Magnus Festival Chorus, and work with visiting soloists on concerto repertoire.

Comments from previous participants

'An exceptional experience. Easily the best conducting course in the UK.'

'Excellent teachers, warm, friendly, supportive staff, wonderful atmosphere among participants.'

'I thought the tuition was fantastic throughout. Martyn's incredibly focused and honest approach gave me clear and useful tools which could be developed away from the masterclass, and Charles was crucial in reinforcing ideas and offering an alternative perspective to problems.'

'As a student, you need to be very well prepared prior to coming to Orkney, and then be ‘prepared' to take a lot on board during the course to get the most out of it. So, an excellent course, but students need to be ready to make the most of it.'

'I cannot think of any other opportunity for professional development that compares. One of the most professionally stimulating weeks I have ever had.'

'… dug deep under the surface, went straight to the heart of the matter and at the same time managed to make all of us conduct better (rather than filling us with self-doubt!).'

'I am looking forward to rethinking many aspects of my technique (!) The environment has been supportive and constructive.'

'I have taken several conducting courses before and none has come close to this one for tuition, professional development, attention to personal factors alongside technical. I have benefitted hugely from participating'