Biz news: Finns launch agency for young conductors
NewsThe Lead! foundation in Helsinki has opened an international agency for promising conductors.
The first clients are an American, Caleb Young (pictured), Joonas Pitkänen from Finland, and Ukrainian-Norwegian Roman Reznik.
Artists will receive personal coaching from the veteran Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
Website here.
Unfortunately like most solutions, this doesn’t solve the demand issue. There is already plenty of supply.
I have worked with the guy pictured here… If this is what they call a “promising conductor”, I guess you shouldn’t expect much of this agency.
Funny, I had the complete opposite experience!
Young, young, young. Youth, youth, and more youth. Age limits in training (masterclasses, some conservatoire programs…), competitions, professional development opportunities, even jobs. It is blatant discrimination in front of our eyes, and it is almost never challenged.
Dear Young Conductors,
I say this with love as you embark on what is most likely a short career.
> don’t over conduct. Watch the Masters.
> don’t tell stories. Save those for the kids. We’ve heard them all before.
> don’t decide where you need to rehearse before hearing the orchestra play the passage.
> don’t tell the orchestra how “humbled” you are for getting the opportunity to conduct the orchestra
> do your best to learn the names of the principal players (roster on your stand)
> don’t teach. Most of us have been playing the standard repertoire longer than you have been alive. You may have the enlightening interpretation of Beethoven 5 that will change our lives but probably not.
> Don’t bother learning the language of the orchestra until you are hired back. In most cases you’ll be wasting your time.