Not another conducting competition…
mainMessage from Manchester:
The Hallé is pleased to announce the launch of an international conductors competition with Siemens AG, a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability for more than 170 years. Commencing on Thursday 20th February 2020, the competition will take place over three days, with the winner being announced on the evening of Saturday 22nd February 2020.
The inaugural Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition will recognise the talents of one emerging conductor with a two-year engagement as Assistant Conductor for the Hallé, during which they will develop their skills under the mentorship of the Hallé’s Music Director Sir Mark Elder CH CBE. The position of Hallé Assistant Conductor is a prestigious role for talented young conductors, having previously been held by Edward Gardner, Andrew Gourlay, Ewa Strusińska and Jamie Phillips over the past 17 years. In addition to leading the Hallé Youth Orchestra during their tenure, the winning conductor will receive a cash prize of £15,000 and the opportunity to establish themselves on the world stage through guest conducting appearances.
The Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition builds upon a remarkable partnership between the Hallé and Siemens that has been developed over the last two decades. Creating links between engineering and music, Siemens and the Hallé have not only brought classical music to Manchester audiences, they have collaborated on delivering a variety of education and community outreach projects that engage children and support communities throughout the North of England.
Mentored by Mark Elder? That’s not a prize, it’s a wooden spoon!
Glyndebourne and the ROH mysteriously fail to share your opinion. But then – what would they know about music, compared to you?
Does that mean that Sir Mark is carrying on until at least 2022
Well, at least the winner gets a job — the kind of job that can help them become a better conductor.
After Brexit, how much will £15000 be, actually?
More to the point, after Brexit how will it be possible to offer the position to any winner of the “International” conducting competition, regardless of that person’s citizenship and ability to acquire a visa and work permit for Great Britain?
Enough to keep Rees-Mogg’s Brexit Bus in diesel for almost 10 minutes.
Isn’t this the same offer as the RNCM Conducting Fellowship? Halle thinking ahead to potential difficulties studying in the U.K. post Brexit?
This is a very smart idea — to hold an assistant conductor audition and bring attention to it by calling it an international competition, with sponsorship and prize money.
Does anybody outside the UK really wants to work there after March 2019?? 15,000 will be worth maybe 2/3 of what it is today by 2020, and who knows if everyone will be able to actually work there by then….