Porto, Portugal
Masterclass Conducting Course (Porto, Portugal), May 2026 (Applications deadline Friday 20 February 2026)
We are pleased to advise that the department is offering suitable undergraduate students the opportunity to attend the following conducting masterclass visit in Porto, Portugal:
Masterclass 3 “Sound Without Weight”
Dates: May, 26 (online) · 29 – 31 (in person)·
[Note: Post Masterclass follow-up (online) is for active participants, not passive]
Programme
- Claude Debussy — Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
- Maurice Ravel — Ma mère l’Oye, Suite (M. 60)
- Gabriel Fauré — Pelléas et Mélisande, Op. 80
with Luis Clemente and the Atlantic Coast Orchestra Academy
Having completed an Introduction to Conducting module MUSI200, observation during these sessions could be very useful to support your future studies and conducting development.
Eligibility
- Incoming students on an exchange semester or exchange year are ineligible for funding. Students who have previously been on a departmental GO short trip are ineligible for funding. Students who have been on, or have been awarded, a University/SOTA international experience that is a non-departmental short trip are lower priority.
- You must be able to commit to all of the days on the course, including the online one. Online Session: 26 May (online) 2026. Face-to-face sessions: 29-31 May 2026.
- The trip to Porto must be at least 5 days long (inclusive of travel days), which means you should stay in the host country for at least 4 nights. You should travel 28 May or earlier and return 1 June or later.
- Your application must make clear how conducting relates to your studies and career interest and specifically how attendance at the masterclass will support this. Please clarify the preparation you will undertake to make the most of the opportunity.
- If appropriate to your visit, you are advised to indicate how you will spend your time on any other days.
Funding for this opportunity this year is kindly supported by the Helen Mitchell Endowment Fund. The support you may receive:
- The passive participant fee will be paid for all students directly by the University.
- The support offered towards accommodation and/or travel is in line with UoL guidance which specifies a higher amount of support for those with WP status: Non-WP students receive £200; WP Students receive £365.
If offered support for the trip, you must confirm acceptance within 7 days (contact lee.tsang@liverpool.ac.uk) so that your passive participation fee can be paid by the University.
Things to note
Any student who confirms their attendance but does not proceed with the trip will be required to refund to the University all financial support, including the passive participant fee. This refund must be settled no later than June 2026. Please be aware that graduating students must have any outstanding financial matters settled before they can graduate.
Be aware that coordinating with fellow students over hostel accommodation may be a way to help you to keep costs down.
Travel date to Porto must be 25 May or earlier.
Please be aware that 25 May is in teaching Exam Week 3, and you should check with module convenors that you do not have assignments. Assignment deadlines will not be adjusted for students on this trip; students are expected to manage their time and plan their preparation for assignments well in advance of advertised deadlines.
You will be required to complete a short post-trip report within 10 days of your trip. This form will be sent to you in May.
How to apply
Please complete the application form and select ‘Masterclass Conducting Course’ which will prompt you to provide relevant information about the trip.
Music GO Short Trip Application Form for Funding Support (Students) 2025-26 – Fill in form
Forms must be completed no later than Friday 20 February 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact lee.tsang@liverpool.ac.uk