Course Eligibility

For CFF Budapest

The 2026 course running in Budapest (dates TBC) is now FULL.

However, you can apply to be put on the waitlist in case an accepted applicant doesn’t pay their course fees when the dates are announced, or they drop out.

2026 dates will not be announced until March or April 2026, but are likely to be in late September / early October.

Participation is open to adults (a) with an undergraduate or master’s degree in music ideally within the last 3-4 years, or (b) who can demonstrate a similar level of skill. Particularly important requirements are:

  • The ability to read a full score

  • A working knowledge of orchestration

  • Experience playing at least one instrument to a high level.

Previous conducting experience is beneficial but not required, as Daryl is quite skilled at tailoring feedback to differing levels. Please see FAQs for more information.

For suitably qualified applicants, spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

£1100

+ VAT for UK participants only

Cost (2025)

The costs for 2026 will be announced at the same time as the dates.

  • Daryl tries to keep them as affordable as he can for those at the early stages of their career. He doesn’t even charge for his time. Only for the musicians, the venue and for work by his employees to produce the attendee videos. As the first two are largely outside his control, it is likely the costs will increase from one year to the next.

    • To give you an idea, 2025’s course fee rose to £1100 from £999 in 2024.

Once the 2026 dates and costs have been announced, the first 5 accepted students will be given two weeks to pay their deposit of 25% of the course fee (including VAT for UK-based participants only).

  • The remaining balance will be due within two weeks of confirmation that the course will run, due to the minimum numbers having been achieved.

Waitlisted applicants will only be offered spots if those above them in the queue do not pay their fees as per the above schedule, or if they drop out.

Once the details for 2026 have been finalised, this website will be updated with more precise terms and conditions. However, as they will follow those for previous years, we can give the below general guidance.

The course fee, including deposit, is 100% refundable only if cancelled or postponed by Conducting for Film. The course will be activated with a minimum number of participants.

Students will need to find and pay for their own transportation, lodging and meal arrangements, though we will provide suggestions upon acceptance to the course.  

We recommend students take out travel insurance in case of problems outside of anyone’s control.

All payments must be paid by bank transfer, the details of which will be provided upon acceptance to the program.

As you can see from the above, spots are offered to qualified students on a first-come, first-served basis. So, the sooner students apply, the less likely they are to miss out!