PMF 2026 Conducting Academy Auditions

The Pacific Music Festival (PMF) is an international educational music festival held annually in Sapporo, Japan. Applications are now being accepted for the PMF Conducting Academy.

OUTLINE

All auditions for PMF 2026 will take place via "Acceptd" on the internet. Applicants must have/make their own personal "Acceptd" account in order to apply. We will not hold live auditions, nor receive materials by postal mail. Please submit your recorded video audition materials online.

PMF 2026 Conducting Academy

CURRICULUM

Coaching sessions, conducting with pianos, rehearsals with the PMF Orchestra, and a concert performance conducting the PMF Orchestra taught by David Robertson.

PROGRAM PERIOD

Monday, July 13 - Monday, July 20, 2026 (with optional extension of stay to observe PMF Orchestra rehearsals/concerts with David Robertson)
Although the first concert is on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Conducting Academy members are expected to arrive in Sapporo on July 13 and members will leave for home from Sapporo on Monday, July 20.

PARTICIPATING COSTS

For successful applicants, PMF covers educational costs, round-trip flight costs between the city of origin and Sapporo*, travel costs within Japan, and shared-room accommodations during the festival period. Meals or stipends are provided during the festival period. Participants are responsible for basic travel insurance fees, visa application fees (if necessary), travel costs to/from the local airport, and any other personal expenses. *Any costs resulting from deviations from a round trip will be the participant's responsibility.

NOTES ON PREPARATIONS OF RECORDING MATERIALS

The recording should be done with a full orchestra. Performance with piano accompaniment/chamber orchestra will not be accepted.
The recording should be of one time sequence and should not be edited. The total length of the recording should be less than 20 minutes.
The recording should have been made after April, 2025 (within six months of October 31).

HOW TO APPLY

*Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge are recommended.

*It is recommended that you use a desktop or laptop computer to apply, as there is a possibility of technical issues arising when using a smartphone.

*Creating your own “Acceptd” account is free, but a $35 USD non-refundable usage fee will be incurred when submitting your online application. This usage fee must be paid with a credit card. No form of payment aside from a credit card will be accepted (this credit card does not have to be the applicant’s own). Applicants are responsible for any and all expenses related to preparation of application materials (video recordings, etc.).

The following credit cards may be used:

*It is possible to complete your application form first and upload your video recordings at a later date, but failure to complete the entire process by the stated deadline will result in the application not being accepted.

1. Access "Acceptd" online, and either create your own personal Acceptd account or log in to your existing account. Make sure that you are able to receive email from support@getacceptd.com, as confirmation emails and more will be sent from that address.
2. Choose a program and sign in to "Acceptd." Complete your online application form, filling in all required information.
3. Upload your recorded audition materials. Video recordings are required. Audio-only recordings will not be accepted.
4. Enter your credit card information and pay the submission fee.*
5. A confirmation note will appear.

DEADLINE

The deadline for applications is January 14, 2026 at 12:00pm (noon) Japan Standard Time. Please note that the deadline will fall within January 13 in many parts of the world. For example, Jan 14, 12:00 noon JST = Jan 13, 10:00pm EST.
Applications that are incomplete at the deadline will not be accepted.

*Video uploads become very crowded just prior to the application deadline and upload times may significantly increase. Uploading early is highly recommended.

RESULTS

Applicants will receive notification of the audition results by email by March, 2026.
We will contact you from: academy@pmf.jp
Please make sure that you are able to receive email from that address.
If you do not receive any notification by March (after checking your spam folder), please feel free to contact us.

For further information

PMF Organizing Committee
Sumitomo Seimei Sapporo Chuo Bldg. 1F
1-14 Minami 2-jo, Higashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku
Sapporo 060-0052 Japan
Tel: +81-11-242-2211 / Fax: +81-11-242-1687
Business hours: weekdays, 10:00 - 17:00 JST
Email: audition@pmf.jp