Applications are Open for the 

Jewish Choral Conducting Institute 

 

The Jewish Choral Conducting Institute is the first program in the world to train the next generation of conductors of Jewish choral music.

The upcoming cohort of Lazar Fellows will be composed of 12-15 experienced conducting students from around the world.  Fellows gather at intensive in-person retreats and workshops, monthly online and in one-on-one mentoring sessions with Maestro Matthew Lazar and guest presenters.  Upon completion of the two-year program, Fellows receive a Certificate in Jewish Choral Conducting.

Matthew Lazar is the leading force of the Jewish choral movement in North America.  He is an expert in all genres of Jewish choral music including the music of Salamone Rossi, Salomon Sulzer and Louis Lewandowski.  Maestro Lazar has worked closely with Yehezkel Braun, Aharon Harlap and Andre Hajdu, has prepared choirs for Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta, and has commissioned and premiered over 35 new works by contemporary American and Israeli composers.  With a deep and far-reaching knowledge of Jewish and Western music, Jewish historical and secular texts, and a brilliant grasp of the text/music relationship that defines choral music, Lazar models, encourages and nurtures the talents of a new generation of conductors of Jewish music.

The JCCI Fellows deepen their study through conducting retreats, which prioritize podium time with a demonstration choir.  These in-person workshops, alongside monthly Zoom meetings, expand the conductors’ analytic and interpretive skills and create a vibrant international community of Jewish choral conductors.  Fellows will acquire the skills and knowledge to enhance their work as conductors of choirs across the U.S. and beyond.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, this program is fully funded.  Tuition and travel expenses will be covered for accepted Fellows, contingent upon full commitment to the program.

Program Commitments:

  • Full commitment to attend all online meetings and retreats (*Important dates below)
  • Monthly 90-minute Zoom Meetings (Sundays)
  • 2-3 In Person Conducting Workshops (in New York or Israel) (tentative 2026-2027 dates below)

           December, 2026 (Tel Aviv)   or January 3rd-4th, 2027 (NYC)

           May 16th-17th, 2027 (NYC)         or June, 2027 (Tel Aviv)

  • Two week Summer Conducting Intensive, including attendance at the North American Jewish Choral Festival:

           Sunday, July 4th – Thursday, July 15th, 2027 (NAJCF July 11th – 15th) Stamford, CT

           Monday July 10th – Thursday, July 20th, 2028 (NAJCF July 16th – 20th) Stamford, CT

  • Showing up with a spirit of openness and willingness to learn and be critiqued, and willingness to offer respectful feedback
  • Commitment to be prepared for all meetings and retreats as a conductor and singer

To Apply:

Submit the application form, which will request information on your education and background, a video sample of your conducting, and the names of two references.  Candidates who pass the first round will be invited to a Zoom interview.

Applications are due by May 31st, 2026.   Click here to access the application or email conducting@zamirchoralfoundation.org to request additional details.