Course Eligibility

The course running 1 – 4 October, 2026 in Budapest is now FULL and there is already a waitlist for 2027 (the dates and cost for which will likely be announced in March or April 2027).

We highly recommend applying to be put onto the 2027 waitlist. There is no cost to do so, and the higher your position on the 2027 waitlist, the greater your chance of getting onto the 2027 course. You might even get lucky enough to make it onto the 2026 programme if a confirmed applicant drops out and those above you on the waitlist are unable to take up the opportunity.

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.

£1150

+ VAT for UK participants only

Cost (2026)

The costs for 2027 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, 2026’s fee rose to £1150 from £1100 in 2025 and £999 in 2024.

Since the 2026 course is now full, and all required payments have been made, applicants accepted from now on will be added to the existing waitlist for 2027. In the unlikely, but possible, event that a spot becomes available for the 2026 course, waitlisted applicants will be notified, in application acceptance order.

  • Should the newly available spot be accepted, full payment would be due immediately.

  • If students decline an offered waitlist spot, they will still keep their priority position for 2027. and  we will present the 2026 opportunity to the next person on the waitlist.

Once the details for 2027 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.

Spots will be offered to accepted students on a first-come, first-served basis. So, the sooner students apply, the less likely they are to miss out! 

Once the 2027 dates and costs have been announced, the first 5-6 students on the 2027 waitlist will be given two weeks to pay their deposit of 25% of the course fee (including VAT for UK-based participants only). We will then work our way down the rest of the waitlist. 

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

2027 dates are likely to be announced March or April for Sept/Oct course dates, with the latest “go” decision being taken in early August. However, course activation could take place much sooner. For example, 2024 and 2026 courses were confirmed in June, while 2025 was confirmed in April.