World Class Conducting Tuition Since 2007

WHO WE ARE

Twelve years ago, Achim Holub decided, after five years of experience with conducting concerts in London, to finally organize a conducting masterclass with orchestra.The interest was, right from the onset, very encouraging and the artistic outcome extraordinary:
The winner of the competition in January 2014 was Mathieu Herzog who subsequently conducted Kammerphilharmonie Graz at a concert in Austria the following summer.
Mathieu then went on to make an outstanding career as a conductor, founding his own orchestra 'Appassionato' in Paris and recording a hugely successful album for Deutsche Grammophon.Over 30 courses later and as a tribute to our beginnings, we decided to combine the repertoire of the first courses with the most popular symphonies you chose in our 10-YEAR-JUBILEE-SURVEY.
The winner of the competition will again conduct in Austria, this time a Beethoven symphony at a concert in August 2024.All participants in our London masterclasses will conduct at one or two concerts at an acoustically superb venue, including professional video & audio recordings.As always, Achim Holub will share his experience of 20 years of collaboration with many world-class musicians and recording companies like the Vienna Philharmonic and Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft in talks about career planning and record producing.MAIN FOCUS
Conducting technique and communication of interpretational concepts
Efficient preparation of parts and rehearsals
Insights on how to apply principles of the historically informed performance practice movement
Score analysis and memorizing techniques
Future-oriented career management and music business survival strategies
Advice on how to organize concerts and recording sessionsTARGET GROUPS
Conducting students and professionals; chorus masters; instrumentalists and music pedagogues who would like to improve their skills in ensemble leadership.COURSE LANGUAGES
English, German, Spanish, FrenchFurthermore, Achim Holub will give personal feedback with comprehensive career advice.
Do not miss the opportunity to receive professional instruction and valuable advice from one of Austria’s internationally most acclaimed conductors and please make sure to apply as early as possible!Please get in touch with us as early as possible, you can find the Application Form here.We very much look forward to again seeing many talented colleagues from all over the world at one of our courses in 2026!

MAESTRO'S TOOLBOX ONLINE
Four 60-minute One-on-One Sessions

SPECIAL MAESTRO’S TOOLBOX ONLINE OFFER
Four 60-minute One-on-One Sessions for €145 | £125 | $170
Including a €145 voucher for any Achim Holub’s upcoming orchestra masterclasses in 2025/2026.The sessions will focus on the Four Maestro Toolboxes of a conductor:
Personality, Technique, Communication & Interpretation.You will receive conducting technique tuition, interpretational insights, score analysis and memorizing techniques, as well as career management advice.INCLUDED ARE
Four 60-minute One-on-One Sessions: once or twice a week Microsoft Teams or Zoom sessions
Email Support: within the session period you will be able to contact Achim via email regarding specific problems
A €145 voucher for any of Achim Holub’s upcoming orchestra masterclasses in 2025/2026.PAYMENT
You can pay with credit card or via bank transfer in Euros, USD or GBP.ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Session Duration: 60 Minutes
Languages: English, German and Spanish
All sessions are private ONE-ON-ONE sessions via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Login details will be sent to you together with confirmation of date and time of your session.SESSION CONTENT
Conducting technique and communication of interpretational concepts
Efficient preparation of parts and rehearsals
Insights on how to apply principles of the historically informed performance practice movement
Score analysis and memorizing techniques
Future-oriented career management and music business survival strategies
Advice on how to organize concerts and recording sessionsSESSION FORMAT
Question & Answer on specific technical, interpretational or organizational topics
Talk on a pre-approved topic
Analysis of a live-session with piano or ensemble
Feedback on a performance on video or audio
Preparation for future orchestra masterclasses in London, Austria and SpainHOW TO REGISTER
Use this form or send a short message with your mobile number and a selection of topics you would like to work on to [email protected].

COMPLETE BEETHOVEN ONLINE

When I decided in 2015 to organize my first masterclass with the Complete Beethoven Symphonies I would never have thought that almost ten years later there had participated over 200 students in these courses, resulting in an almost unfathomable amount of individual performances and video footage with the London Classical Soloists.During my studies with my teacher Milan Horvat in Austria, I was introduced to Igor Markevitch’s analysis and edition of the Beethoven symphonies, a really remarkable achievement and still the standard regarding traditional, late-19th-century rooted performances.What I missed already back then was a guide to not only the technical problems, which are huge, but also to the performance practice and inspirational context of the time of composition.These works were conceived in a period when the shockwaves of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars were still ubiquitous, when a new consciousness of personal freedom was descending on Europe - and without understanding that era you do not understand Beethoven.So, I decided to build on my experience and give you the opportunity to have an introduction into this cosmos not only at masterclasses but also with personalized one-on-one online tuition sessions.You get:
- four 60-minute one-on-one online sessions on the symphonies Nos. 3 and 9
- seven 60-minute one-on-one online sessions on each of the remaining symphonies
- in-depth-analysis of the structure of each symphony with memorizing techniques
- a guide to the technical performance problems, both playing and conducting
- extensive information regarding historically informed performance of early 19th century music
- thoughts on how to deliver the historical and political context to a modern audienceFee: €350 for eleven sessionsUsually, the sessions will take place in a weekly rhythm, but can also be organized twice or three times a week.HOW TO APPLY
Use this form or send a short message with your mobile number and a selection of topics you would like to work on to [email protected].

PARTICIPANT'S FEEDBACK

The masterclass and competition were an ideal setting for musical freedom and growth. During the workshop, Maestro Holub discussed aspects of classical interpretation, which I found immensely thought-provoking and which have influenced my approach to studying classical scores. The workshop staff are supportive and want each conductor to achieve positive growth. I look forward to my continued contact with the staff as I continue to grow as a conductor.
Karin Hendrickson, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaI have never been in the company of so many great conductors in the same place, at the same time! The orchestra is also brilliant and their level of musicianship, ensemble and technique is absolutely sensational. A ‘one rehearsal’ orchestra par excellence! I learnt so much from watching them and the other conductors work. Conductors came from all over the USA, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom – Music Directors, Associate Conductors, Doctors of music, Orchestra members from the best orchestras in the world and aspiring maestros all the same wanting to take a significant step forward in their reputation as a conductor.
Matheu Kieswetter, JohannesburgI would like to thank you again for a wonderful experience in London. I believe that this was one of the most positive experiences I've had since I had begun to conduct. Your positivity and support, together with the wonderful atmosphere and open communication with the orchestra members have truly created perfect conditions for me at this point in my professional and personal life. They allowed me to learn so much about myself and how I think about music, connect to it and experience it, while gaining more confidence in communicating my ideas about the score and emotional experiences to the members of the orchestra, and, hopefully, also the audience.
Thank you for this opportunity, your valuable feedback and priceless advice.
Yael Front, CincinnatiI would like to thank you again for your guidance during my time in London. Some "take-aways" that I have already put into practice include:
-How to stand to exhibit stability and confidence. A simple enough concept, yet one that had never been demonstrated or spelled out to me. Sometimes it takes just the right teacher to get a point across to a student, and that was you for me.
-The continued reminder that less is more, gesturally speaking. Especially with the London Classical Soloists, it was amazing to watch you lead them with so few, and yet so effective, gestures.
Dan Whisler, Louisville, KentuckyThe conducting masterclasses with Achim Holub and the London Classical Soloist are an excellent program that combines your formation as a conductor with a complete professional experience offered by an outstanding orchestra.
It's simply perfect!
Rubén Sanchez Vieco, MadridThe London April 2017 Masterclass with Achim Holub was a truly inspiring experience that reinforced my love for music and my passion for conducting.
As a teacher, Achim is incredibly encouraging and he really helped me to develop a greater sense of confidence as a conductor and in projecting my musical ideas.
The players of the London Classical Soloists, all highly proficient, are wonderfully supportive and very easy to get along with, demonstrating a high degree of sensitivity and flexibility.
It was clear that both Achim and the orchestra were completely dedicated to helping us to develop as conductors.
Sameer Alladin, Port of SpainIt was an experience that made me grow and from which I could learn many things. The London Classical Soloists are an exceptional orchestra and I felt perfectly at ease with them.
Davide Bontempo, MilanoThank you very much for a wonderful course! I enjoyed the excellent teachings of Achim and Christof and the high level of the orchestra. It was a pleasure!
Roit Feldenkreis, Tel AvivFirst of all, I want to thank Achim and Christof for the very good masterclass I was lucky to attend! It was an extraordinary experience and I appreciate your very useful and valuable advice. But I particularly enjoyed working with the London Classical Soloists, who are a really good team.
Olivier Murith, Villars-sur-GlâneI felt that I've learned a lot and, even though I realise how difficult it is to start a career in this field, my experience in London reinforced my will not to give up on that idea. The feeling of receiving from the orchestra so much love and enthusiasm for music is absolutely one of the best experiences one can have in life. I also very much appreciated the fantastic teaching, the good organisation, how extremely fair all the choices have been, and how much I felt that both Achim and Christof really gave each one personal attention besides a collaboration feeling with the whole class and orchestra.
Camilla Rossetti, ParisAchim, thank you and Christof for the course and the time spent to share what you know with us. It was eye-opening.
Pamela Soria, Ciudad de MéxicoThanks a lot Achim and Christof for giving me this chance, I got so many things to learn during these days, it was not just learning about conducting.
Through the work we did, you made me feel and understand more the deep meaning about music and the real meaning about being an orchestra conductor. Thanks also to the musicians in the orchestra, they are so great.
When I was on stage with them I just felt we all were like waves in the ocean of music, we had fused together and moved together, I really enjoyed this kind of feeling with them.
Jianning Zhu, Genève

APPLICATION

Many thanks for your interest in applying to one of our courses!
Please fill in the Application Form below, * denotes a mandatory field.
As always, there are no application or registration fees and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

PAYMENT

Please find below credit card payment links for our courses and online tuition offers.
The currency will automatically adjust to match the standard currency of your location.

PRESS

LONDON JANUARY 2027
TWO MASTERCLASSES
WITH THE LONDON CLASSICAL SOLOISTS

Die deutsche Version finden Sie hier.Our January 2027 program reflects a little bit our history of the last 12 years, what started as a small Mozart-Jupiter-Workshop in a tiny church in West London, later became a huge undertaking with the - already legendary - Complete Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms projects.We have introduced some changes, the courses have now a 10 participants limit.As usual, there will be competitions &professional video recordings and our pricing, starting, is still extraordinary value-for-money!Our deadlines are the same for all two dates, please make sure to apply as soon as possible!Below the details and links to all courses and some important addtional information.If you have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected].We very much look forward to welcoming again so many participants from all over the world this summer!Please find below an overview on all two masterclasses.COURSE I | Complete Beethoven
2 till 6 January Details
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Overtures to Prometheus & Coriolan
Course Fee: £1500 [£450 Deposit + £1050 remaining course fee]
(Additional discount for participating in both masterclasses: £500)COURSE II | Tchaikovsky Last Three Symphonies plus Manfred-Symphony
6 till 10 January Details
Tchaikovsk: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5 & 6 plus Manfred-Symphony
Course Fee: £1700 [£450 Deposit + £1250 remaining course fee]
(Additional discount for participating in both masterclasses: £500)DEADLINES
Please note that the deadline is the same for all four courses:
Early-Bird-Deadline: Friday 6 Novemebr 2026
Application-Deadline: Friday 4 December 2026, 5pmFEE PAYMENT
There are no application or registration fees and we will try to process your application as quickly as possible.
The deposit will be due two weeks after receiving our offer of place.
The remaining course fee will be due on Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Partners and family members of active participants will have free access to all sessions and concerts.INCLUDED ARE
- a world-class orchestra
- two concert performances at an acoustically superb venue in Central London
- high-quality video and audio recordings of all rehearsals and concert performances
- daily one-to-one sessions during the course
- piano and after rehearsal feedback sessions
- the opportunity to win the competition with prize money and to conduct a concert in Vienna in 2026PLEASE NOTE
- a **deposit of £450 which is included in the course fee will be due two weeks after receiving our offer of place
- there are no registration or application feesCOMPETITION
All participants will take part in the competition.
Both concerts will be part of the competition voting process.
All members of the orchestra will vote at both concerts.
Additionally, a panel of London based conductors, instrumentalists and music business professional will vote at the second concert.
Prize Money: 1st Prize £1000, 2nd Prize £750, 3rd Prize £500
The 1st Prize includes a performance of Beethoven's Eroica at a concert in Vienna in 2026, three days accommodation and travel expenses within Europe.MAIN FOCUS
Conducting technique and communication of interpretational concepts
Efficient preparation of parts and rehearsals
Insights on how to apply principles of the historically informed performance practice movement
Score analysis and memorizing techniques
Future-oriented career management and music business survival strategies
Advice on how to organize concerts and recording sessionsTARGET GROUPS
Conducting students and professionals; chorus masters; instrumentalists and music pedagogues who would like to improve their skills in ensemble leadership.COURSE LANGUAGES
English, German, Spanish, FrenchAPPLICATION
To apply, use the Application Form or send an email to [email protected] with your name, address, nationality, phone & mobile numbers and a short CV.
To secure your participation, please make sure to pay the deposit as soon as possible, within two weeks after receiving our offer of place, at the latest (payment details will be sent to you together with the offer).

LONDON JANUARY 2027 COURSE I
MASTERCLASS & COMPETITION
COMPLETE BEETHOVEN SYMPHONIES

Go to OVERVIEW COURSES I-IICourse II | Tchaikovsky Last Three Symphonies
6 till 10 January 2027 DetailsDETAILS COURSE I
Course starts: Saturday 2 January
Course ends: Wednesday 6 January
Arrival: Friday 1 or Saturday 2 January morning
Departure: Wednesday 6 January afternoon or Thursday 7 JanuaryGENERAL INFORMATION
Venue: the course will take place in Central London
Number of participants: 10
Podium Time: 6 rehearsal sessions with orchestra, 120 minutes in total
Public Concerts (all participants conduct at the concert): Sunday 3 & Tuesday 5 January, 7.30pmFEES
Deposit: £450 [due two weeks after receiving our offer of place]
Course Fee: £1500 [£450 Deposit + £1050 remaining course fee]
Early-Bird Discount: £300 [£1200 overall course fee]
Early-Bird Deadline: Friday 6 November 2026, 5pm
Application-Deadline: Friday 4 December 2026, 5pm
The remaining course fee will be due on Wednesday 23 December 2027.
[Example: A participant who applies before the Early-Bird-Deadline of Friday 6 November pays the £450 Deposit two weeks after receiving our offer of place and the remaining course fee of £750 on Wednesday 23 December 2027.]REPERTOIRE
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Overtures to Prometheus & Coriolan
Editions: Henle & Bärenreiter (Symphonies), Breitkopf (Overtures)
We recommend choosing up to six movements & one overture.
You will work on one movement/overture per rehearsal session.
At each concert you will conduct one movement/overture of your own choice.
Please note that there will be no concert performance of any movement of Symphony No. 9.
The orchestra will use Bärenreiter parts for the symphonies and Breitkopf for the overtures.

LONDON JANUARY 2027 COURSE II
MASTERCLASS & COMPETITION
TCHIKOVSKY SYMPHONIES 4, 6 & 6 plus Manfred-Symphony

Go to OVERVIEW COURSES I-II
Course I | Beethoven Complete Symphonies
2 till 6 January 2027 DetailsDETAILS COURSE II
Course starts: Wednesday 6 January
Course ends: Sunday 10 January
Arrival: Tuesday 5 or Wednesday 6 January morning
Departure: Sunday 10 January afternoon or Monday 11 JanuaryGENERAL INFORMATION
Venue: the course will take place in Central London
Number of participants: 10
Podium Time: 6 rehearsal sessions with orchestra, 120 minutes in total
Public Concerts (all participants conduct at the concert): Thursday 7 January & Saturday 9 January, 7.30pmFEES
Deposit: £450 [due two weeks after receiving our offer of place]
Course Fee: £1700 [£450 Deposit + £1250 remaining course fee]
Early-Bird Discount: £300 [£1400 overall course fee]
Early-Bird Deadline: Friday 6 November 2026, 5pm
Application-Deadline: Friday 4 December 2026, 5pm
The remaining course fee will be due on Wednesday 23 December 2026.
[Example: A participant who applies before the Early-Bird-Deadline of Friday 6 November pays the £450 Deposit two weeks after receiving our offer of place and the remaining course fee of £950 on Wednesday 23 December 2027.]REPERTOIRE
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5 & 6 plus Manfred-Symphony
Editions: Breitkopf
We recommend choosing up to six movements.
You will work on one movement per rehearsal session.
At each concert you will conduct one movement of your own choice.
The orchestra will use Bärenreiter parts.

LONDON JANUAR 2027
ZWEI MEISTERKURSE MIT DEN
LONDON CLASSICAL SOLOISTS

You can find the english version here.Unser Programm für Januar 2027 spiegelt ein wenig unsere Geschichte der vergangenen zwölf Jahre wider: Was als kleiner Mozart-Jupiter-Workshop in einer winzigen Kirche im Westen Londons begann, entwickelte sich später zu einem umfangreichen Vorhaben mit den – inzwischen legendären – Projekten Complete Beethoven, Schumann und Brahms.Wir haben einige Änderungen eingeführt: Die Kurse sind nun auf 10 Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer begrenzt.Wie gewohnt wird es Wettbewerbe und professionelle Videoaufnahmen geben, und unsere Einstiegspreise bieten nach wie vor ein außergewöhnliches Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis!Die Fristen sind für beide Termine identisch. Bitte bewerben Sie sich unbedingt so bald wie möglich!Nachfolgend finden Sie die Einzelheiten und Links zu allen Kursen sowie einige wichtige zusätzliche Informationen.Wenn Sie Fragen haben, zögern Sie bitte nicht, uns unter [email protected] zu kontaktieren.Wir freuen uns sehr darauf, auch in diesem Sommer wieder so viele Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer aus aller Welt begrüßen zu dürfen!Nachfolgend finden Sie eine Übersicht über beide Meisterkurse.KURS I | Complete Beethoven2. bis 6. Januar DetailsBeethoven: Sinfonien Nr. 1–9, Ouvertüren zu Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus und CoriolanKursgebühr: 1.500 £ [450 £ Anzahlung + 1.050 £ verbleibende Kursgebühr](Zusätzlicher Rabatt bei Teilnahme an beiden Meisterkursen: 500 £)KURS II | Tschaikowskys letzte drei Sinfonien plus Manfred-Sinfonie6. bis 10. Januar DetailsTschaikowsky: Sinfonien Nr. 4, 5 und 6 sowie Manfred-SinfonieKursgebühr: 1.700 £ [450 £ Anzahlung + 1.250 £ verbleibende Kursgebühr](Zusätzlicher Rabatt bei Teilnahme an beiden Meisterkursen: 500 £)FRISTENBitte beachten Sie, dass die Frist für alle vier Kurse identisch ist:Frühbucherfrist: Freitag, 6. November 2026Bewerbungsfrist: Freitag, 4. Dezember 2026, 17:00 UhrZAHLUNGENEs gibt keine Bewerbungs- oder Anmeldegebühren, und wir bemühen uns, Ihre Bewerbung so schnell wie möglich zu bearbeiten.Die Anzahlung ist zwei Wochen nach Erhalt unseres Platzangebots fällig.Die verbleibende Kursgebühr ist bis Mittwoch, den 23. Dezember 2026, zu entrichten.Partnerinnen, Partner und Familienangehörige der aktiven Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer erhalten freien Zugang zu allen Sitzungen und Konzerten.IM KURSPREIS ENTHALTEN SIND- ein Orchester von Weltklasse
- zwei Konzertauftritte in einem akustisch hervorragenden Veranstaltungsort im Zentrum Londons
- hochwertige Video- und Audioaufnahmen aller Proben und Konzertauftritte
- tägliche Einzelsitzungen während des Kurses
- Klavier- und Feedbacksitzungen nach den Proben
- die Möglichkeit, den Wettbewerb mit Preisgeld zu gewinnen und im Jahr 2026 ein Konzert in Wien zu dirigierenBITTE BEACHTEN SIE- Eine Anzahlung von 450 £, die in der Kursgebühr enthalten ist, wird zwei Wochen nach Erhalt unseres Platzangebots fällig.
- Es gibt keine Anmelde- oder Bewerbungsgebühren.WETTBEWERBAlle Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer nehmen am Wettbewerb teil.Beide Konzerte fließen in die Abstimmung im Rahmen des Wettbewerbs ein.Alle Mitglieder des Orchesters stimmen bei beiden Konzerten ab.Zusätzlich stimmt beim zweiten Konzert eine Jury aus in London ansässigen Dirigentinnen und Dirigenten, Instrumentalistinnen und Instrumentalisten sowie Fachleuten aus der Musikbranche ab.Preisgeld: 1. Preis 1.000 £, 2. Preis 750 £, 3. Preis 500 £Der 1. Preis umfasst eine Aufführung von Beethovens Eroica bei einem Konzert in Wien im Jahr 2026, drei Übernachtungen sowie Reisekosten innerhalb Europas.SCHWERPUNKTEDirigiertechnik und die Vermittlung interpretatorischer VorstellungenEffiziente Vorbereitung von Stimmen und ProbenEinblicke in die Anwendung der Prinzipien der historisch informierten AufführungspraxisPartituranalyse und Techniken zum AuswendiglernenZukunftsorientiertes Karrieremanagement und Strategien zum Überleben im MusikgeschäftBeratung bei der Organisation von Konzerten und AufnahmesitzungenZIELGRUPPENDirigierstudierende und Berufstätige; Chordirektorinnen und Chordirektoren; Instrumentalistinnen und Instrumentalisten sowie Musikpädagoginnen und Musikpädagogen, die ihre Fähigkeiten in der Ensembleleitung verbessern möchten.KURSSPRACHENEnglisch, Deutsch, Spanisch und FranzösischBEWERBUNGFür eine Bewerbung nutzen Sie bitte das Bewerbungsformular oder senden Sie eine E-Mail an [email protected]. Geben Sie darin bitte Ihren Namen, Ihre Adresse, Ihre Staatsangehörigkeit, Ihre Telefon- und Mobiltelefonnummern sowie einen kurzen Lebenslauf an.Um Ihre Teilnahme zu sichern, überweisen Sie bitte die Anzahlung so bald wie möglich, spätestens jedoch innerhalb von zwei Wochen nach Erhalt unseres Platzangebots. Die Zahlungsinformationen werden Ihnen zusammen mit dem Platzangebot zugesandt.
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