Conducting Workshops with Mark Shapiro

August 6–8, 2026 | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

The Conducting Workshops with Mark Shapiro will take place August 6–8, 2026 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, offering intensive podium experience for early to mid career orchestral conductors, choral conductors interested in orchestral conducting, and instrumental musicians seeking a deeper understanding of the conductor’s craft.

Participants receive 90 minutes of total podium time, divided across six ensemble sessions:

All sessions take place at Central Presbyterian Church, a historic venue that boasts notable acoustics designed by noted Canadian architect John M. Lyle, also known for Toronto’s Union Station and major Beaux-Arts architectural commissions.

Each session is professionally audio- and video-recorded, and participants receive copies for study and professional use.

Repertoire

Participants will work from the following standard orchestral repertoire:

Classical

Joseph Haydn — Symphony No. 104 in D major, “London”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major, K. 543
Ludwig van Beethoven — Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Overture to The Magic Flute
Ludwig van Beethoven — Coriolan Overture, Op. 62

Romantic & Early 20th Century

Johannes Brahms — Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Johannes Brahms — Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 6 in B minor, “Pathétique”
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture
Igor Stravinsky — The Firebird Suite

Faculty

Mark Shapiro

Conductor

American conductor Mark Shapiro is widely recognized for his work across orchestral, operatic, and choral repertoire, as well as for his dedication to conductor training and mentorship. A six-time ASCAP Award recipient, he has served as Music Director of the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra and currently leads The Cecilia Chorus of New York and Cantori New York, ensembles that perform regularly at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He has collaborated with leading singers and instrumentalists across North America and Europe, with performances broadcast on CBC, PBS, and major classical radio networks. An acclaimed teacher of conducting, Shapiro serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School, the Mannes School of Music, and Teachers College at Columbia University, and each summer directs the conducting program of the European American Musical Alliance in Paris. His conducting pedagogy emphasizes score literacy, rehearsal communication, musical imagination, and collaborative leadership — skills that equip conductors for the demands of modern professional ensembles.

“Maestro Shapiro’s workshops were a masterclass in finding the best avenue of communication with the orchestra, tailored for each individual participant. It has made a profound impact on how I communicate and lead my orchestras.”

– Sharon Lee

Artistic Director of Toronto Concert Orchestra and Music Director of Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra

“Mark Shapiro‘s patient insight into all the skills and professional areas encompassed by conducting was of enormous value to me as I was first exploring this career path.”

– Lidiya Yankovskaya

Music Director, Chicago Opera Theater

Who Should Apply

Workshop Location

Discover Hamilton

Located between Toronto and Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Ontario offers participants a welcoming arts community, vibrant restaurants and cafés, and easy access to some of Ontario’s most scenic landscapes. Known as the “City of Waterfalls,” Hamilton features more than 100 nearby waterfalls and extensive conservation trails along the Niagara Escarpment. Participants can enjoy galleries, craft breweries, waterfront parks, and convenient day trips to Toronto or Niagara wine country — making the workshop both a professional and memorable travel experience.

Fees

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Conducting Participants

$2,500 CAD (~$1,800 USD) + 13% HST

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Observer

TCO is pleased to welcome observers for our conducting workshop with Mark Shapiro running August 6-8. There are 6 sessions in total. Each session is $50 + HST, or you can attend the full session for $250 + HST Canadian.