A look back at our masterclasses with a variety of programs and styles
Conduct Your Programme with Maestro Tomáš Koutník
We are pleased to present an advanced three-day conducting masterclass led by the distinguished Maestro Tomáš Koutník, in collaboration with the professional North Czech Philharmonic Teplice (CZE). The course will take place from 8 – 10 October 2025 in Teplice, one of the Czech Republic’s oldest and most musically significant spa towns.
This intensive programme is designed for advanced conductors seeking to refine their technique, expand their repertoire, and produce professional recordings for competitions, auditions, or portfolio development. Unlike standard courses, here each participant selects their own repertoire from the orchestra’s archive – ensuring the masterclass is tailored to individual artistic and professional needs.
📅 Programme Overview
Wednesday, 8 October 2025 – Piano session & Seminar 1
- Afternoon: First meeting and analysis of selected compositions with the Maestro Tomáš Koutník
- Individual piano sessions (60 minutes each) – programme of your choice with Maestro.
- Evening Seminar: How to Talk with the Orchestra & How to Rehearse – rehearsal psychology and communication skills
Thursday, 9 October 2025 – String Quintet session & Seminar 2
- String Quintet session – 60 minutes per participant
- Video analysis of working with an ensemble with a Maestro
- Evening Seminar: Career Development for Conductors – strategies and career building
Friday, 10 October 2025 – Symphony Orchestra session & Video analysis
- Full Symphony Orchestra session – 65 minutes of podium time per participant
- Professional video recording included
- Orchestra: North Bohemian Philharmonic Teplice (CZE)
- Orchestra setting: 8.8.6.5.4 / 4.2.3.1 / harp, timpani + 2
- 60 minutes video analysis with Maestro after the orchestra recording session
- Maestro’s Dinner – End of the masterclass, Conversation & Dinner with Maestro Koutník
💶🤝 FRIENDLY PRICE for active participant
👉 This masterclass combines intensive artistic training with career-focused preparation – offering a unique opportunity for advanced conductors to both refine their craft and take home a professional recording of their chosen programme.
Summarized
Participants begin with a preparatory session at the piano with Maestro Tomáš Koutník, before moving on to work with chamber ensemble and full symphony orchestra.
Each rehearsal includes analytical feedback during and after sessions, supported by video review for deeper insight.
The masterclass culminates in 65 min. podium time (per each student) with the orchestra and a professional recording of the chosen repertoire – ideal for competitions, auditions, or portfolio development.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Exclusive International symphonic Conducting masterclass
We are pleased to introduce a 5-day special and intensive symphonic conducting masterclass titled “Dvořák & Smetana symphonic conducting masterclass”, led by the esteemed Professor Maestro Tomáš Koutník, in collaboration with the professional West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra. The masterclass will take place from 8 – 12 September 2025 in the breathtaking UNESCO spa town of Mariánské Lázne (Czech Republic), a place of deep musical tradition connected with Fryderyk Chopin.
A unique opportunity to study Czech compositions performed on world stages by two major composers, under the expert guidance of Maestro Koutník. Each day, participants will work intensively with a professional orchestra, focusing on selected symphonies by Antonín Dvořák and excerpts from Bedřich Smetana’s Má vlast (My Country) – see the detailed program below. Every active participant will receive generous podium time, individual feedback during and between rehearsals, and both group and individual analysis sessions with the Maestro after rehearsals with the video.
The course culminates in a public symphonic concert, where each participant will conduct part of the final program. Each participant will receive a professional recording of the concert and photographs. The supportive, collegial atmosphere and Maestro Koutník’s active pedagogical approach provide an ideal setting for musical and professional growth to help each participant achieve as best as possible.
Participants will have a first preparatory lesson accompanied by a professional pianist Prof. Stanislav Bogunia (Academy of Performing Arts). The next days of the masterclass are already taking place in front of the orchestra. The students receive analytical feedback from the lecturer directly during the rehearsal and subsequently also during a detailed analysis of the recorded video of the rehearsal. All active participants will have the opportunity to perform at great symphonic professional final concert (excellent repertoire preparation is a prerequisite), which will be professionally recorded on video for further study purposes, competitions and masterclasses.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation (including semi – active participants).
,,Conductors repertoire highlights“
Symphonic conducting masterclass in Marianske Lazne / 11 – 16 May 2025
Looking back at our 6-day symphonic conducting masterclass called “Conductors’ Repertoire Highlights”, full of unforgettable experience for everyone.
Masterclass was held from May 11 to 16, 2025, in the charming UNESCO spa town of Marianske Lazne, the course brought together talented young conductors, the excellent West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, and the inspiring guidance of Maestro Tomáš Koutník.
Participants had the rare opportunity to work with a full professional orchestra, study major symphonic repertoire, and receive immediate feedback after each rehearsal during afternoon sessions with Maestro Koutník. The sessions were organized in groups and individually with video recording of the rehearsal and commentary by the master. Each participant had enough time to discuss with the professor every important question about conducting and working with the orchestra.
The whole week was full of beautiful music, intense work and the joy of high quality and excellent results. As usual, the courses ended with a great final concert. A bonus was the very best professional photography by Petra Hajska, the principal photographer of the Czech Philharmonic. The students received valuable advices from Maestro Tomáš Koutník, who was extremely engaged and helpful during the whole week. They also gained a lot of time working with the orchestra, the climax being a wonderful evening concert with a full audience. It wasn’t just a masterclass. It was another wonderful and memorable experience.
We would like to thank: The West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra for their hard work, the Kučeravy’s for their kind cooperation at the Forest Mill, and Petra Hajská for her unique photographs.
The Programm:
Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 104 in D major – 1st movement
Franz Schubert – Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D. 417 – 1st movement
Robert Schumann – Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97 – 1st movement
Claude Debussy – Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13 – complete symphony
About
the orchestra
The West-Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Mariánské Lázně cooperates with the Koutnik Academy and offers masterclasses and practical experience to aspiring conductors, supporting their development and enriching the local cultural environment.
