International Conducting Academy - ICA

International Conducting Academy - ICA We strive to create a welcoming and supportive learning atmosphere where participants encourage one another. For more information please contact us!

International Conducting Academy: A Holistic Approach to Musical Leadership

The International Conducting Academy (ICA) is a new contribution to the training available for conductors. Founded in 2017 originally as the Cardiff International Academy of Conducting, CIAC provides opportunities for conductors around the world to participate in live and virtual masterclasses with internationally renowned conducting pedagogues.

​We provide a variety of masterclasses to aid conductors development. Whether you are just starting your exploration of conducting, working as a music educator and need to enhance your skills right through to those who are already working with professional ensembles, we hope you will find a masterclass that can suit your needs. Live courses take place throughout the UK and recent collaborations have featured the Ulster Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Cambrica. Whether it be a single pianist or full symphony orchestra we always strive to find the best musicians who will provide a positive and supportive environment for our participants. CIAC virtual courses established in 2020 help us to reach participants around the globe who might not be able to travel to the UK. We now have a large video library of virtual courses that can be requested. These courses feature in depth score discussion, interviews/Q+A's with guest artists and CIAC's unique 'conducting in silence' virtual podium sessions. CIAC can also facilitate bespoke lessons with our faculty on a one to one basis.

05/09/2026

Conduct Ensemble Cambrica in concert this October.

Our 2026 Closing Masterclass with Colin Metters culminates in the opportunity to rehearse and perform with professional orchestra Ensemble Cambrica in Cardiff.

Following intensive work with Colin through score study, piano, quintet and orchestral sessions, participants take their work onto the concert platform.

26–30 October 2026 | Cardiff

Mozart – The Marriage of Figaro Overture
Prokofiev – Symphony No. 1, Classical
Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, Eroica

Applications are open now. If you’re looking for the opportunity to develop your conducting intensively with Colin Metters and put that work into practice with a professional orchestra in rehearsal and concert, we would love to hear from you.

Places are strictly limited — apply now or contact us for further details:
[email protected]

12/08/2026

ICA Closing Masterclass & Concert 2026 with Colin Metters

26–30 October | Cardiff

Join Colin Metters, ICA Senior Tutor and former Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, for the culmination of ICA’s 2026 programme.

Following three days of online preparation, conductors come together in Cardiff for five intensive days progressing through piano, string quintet and full orchestral sessions, culminating in a public concert with professional orchestra .

Repertoire:
Mozart – The Marriage of Figaro Overture
Prokofiev – Symphony No. 1, Classical
Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, Eroica

All conducting sessions video recorded.

Places are limited. For details and applications: [email protected]

07/07/2026

A fantastic start to this year’s Colin Metters International Conducting Retreat at The King’s School, Canterbury.

Our opening sessions have got off to a really positive start, welcoming participants from around the world for an inspiring week of score study, podium sessions, musical discussion and individual coaching. It’s been wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment from everyone involved.

We’re now looking ahead to a special collaboration on Wednesday evening with the where participants will have the opportunity to rehearse and conduct movements from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

Here’s to a fantastic week of music-making!

Tchaikovsky CanterburySymphonyOrchestra ColinMetters InternationalConductingAcademy TheKingsSchoolCanterbury EducationalPurposes

15/06/2026

There are few places more inspiring to spend a week immersed in music than The King’s School, Canterbury.

Steeped in history and nestled within the historic city of Canterbury, it provides the perfect setting to step away from everyday life and focus on artistic growth, reflection and meaningful musical exploration.

This July, conductors from around the world will gather at The King’s School, Canterbury for the first Colin Metters International Conducting Retreat – a week of music making, conversation, community and discovery in a truly extraordinary environment.

09/06/2026

For more than five decades, Colin Metters has dedicated his life to music, conducting, and the training of future generations of conductors.

Emeritus Professor of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, teacher at the Royal College of Music, conductor across more than twenty countries, and mentor to countless successful conductors — his influence on conducting education is extraordinary.

What continues to define Colin, however, is his passion for teaching and his commitment to helping conductors discover their own artistic voice.

The International Conducting Academy is incredibly proud to have Colin as Senior Tutor and Artistic Advisor.

This summer brings something unique — the opportunity to spend an immersive residential week learning alongside Colin at The Colin Metters International Conducting Retreat.

A remarkable musician. An inspirational teacher. A rare opportunity.

We’re thrilled to launch a major new flagship event from the International Conducting Academy:THE COLIN METTERS INTERNAT...
26/05/2026

We’re thrilled to launch a major new flagship event from the International Conducting Academy:

THE COLIN METTERS INTERNATIONAL CONDUCTING RETREAT

A unique week-long residential retreat at The King’s School, Canterbury, bringing conductors together for music-making, score study, discussion, and artistic exploration in one of England’s most historic settings.

Led by and , the retreat offers rare time and space to explore music, technique, interpretation, and communication away from the pressure of traditional conducting courses.

Featuring work with pianists Hamish Brown and Iain Clarke, plus a professional string sextet. Repertoire includes Wagner, Schumann, and Stravinsky.

Applications are now open.

ClassicalMusic

23/05/2026

As we come to the end of this year’s ICA Concerto Masterclass, it is important for us to reflect on just how central this work is to the philosophy of ICA. The art of accompanying, listening, breathing with a soloist and shaping music collaboratively sits at the heart of what we believe conducting and music making to be.

A huge thank you to our wonderful soloists Magdalena Filipczak and Luba Ulybysheva, and above all to our Senior Tutor and Artistic Advisor Colin Metters for his extraordinary depth of insight, generosity and belief in the long-term development of young conductors.

These days have felt very special.

21/05/2026

Another amazing day at our ICA Concerto Masterclass with Colin Metters. Today we were joined by the string players, adding another dimension to the work as participants explored the relationship between conductor, soloist and ensemble in Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.

21/05/2026

Incredible second day of work at our ICA Concerto Masterclass, now joined by soloists Magdalena Filipczak and Luba Ulybysheva. Participants working with Colin Metters on Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky in preparation for ensemble sessions on days 3 and 4.

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