Courses & Competitions

EMARS BRASS Course in Celje offers an intensive, hands-on program for brass musicians eager to refine their skills and deepen their ensemble performance. The course features masterclasses and dedicated rehearsals led by an outstanding faculty, including trumpeter Marco Pierobon, hornist Boštjan Lipovšek, trombonist Dušan Kranjc, euphonium Nejc Merc, and tuba expert Jožef Steinböck, with ensemble direction by Simon Perčič. The comprehensive fee is €550 plus an €80 registration fee. Applications are now open.

​Finalis, the International Competition for Winds, Brass, and Strings, is an annual event held every November in Białystok, Poland. This competition provides young musicians with the opportunity to perform before an international jury and to earn solo engagements with professional orchestras in Poland and abroad. As the Artistic Advisor, I collaborate closely with the organizing committee to ensure the competition's artistic integrity and high standards.

Programme description

​The Conducting Course is lead by conductor Simon Percic. It is an annual program running from September to February, tailored for current and aspiring leaders of wind, string, and symphonic ensembles, as well as individuals seeking a deeper understanding of conducting. It is located in different locations in Slovenia. The curriculum is structured as follows:​

• Preparatory Sessions: The first two sessions focus on technical skills, theoretical foundations, and repertoire preparation.​

• Intensive Orchestra Sessions: The subsequent three sessions involve hands-on experience with orchestras, allowing participants to apply their learning in real-world settings.​

• Final Examination: The program culminates in a final exam, assessing the comprehensive skills and knowledge acquired.​

• Online Discussions: Two online sessions are interspersed throughout the program, dedicated to evaluative dialogues and in-depth thematic discussions based on selected articles or specific book chapters.

In previous editions, the conducting program has collaborated with various educational institutions, municipalities, and professional orchestras, including Orkester Slovenske vojske (Slovenian Armed Forces Band), Pihalni orkester umetniške gimnazije Konservatorija Maribor (Wind Orchestra of the Conservatory of Maribor's High School for the Arts), Godba Zgornje Savinjske doline (Upper Savinja Valley Wind Band), Orkester Simfonika Vrhnika (Vrhnika Symphony Orchestra), Mešani zbor Danica (Mixed Choir Danica), Pihalni orkester Vrhnika (Vrhnika Wind Band), MePZ Zborallica (Mixed Choir Zborallica) & Godalni orkester Stična (Stična String Orchestra). The course had also featured strong collaborations with composer and arranger Jaka Pucihar, along with several guest lecturers and various instrumentalists who contributed to the masterclasses.