Events

Leading the next generation of Australian conductors

Each year Orchestra Victoria collaborates with Symphony Australia to provide a major training opportunity for young Australian conductors, the Core Conductors program.

Aimed at conductors who wish to make a career of conducting professional orchestras, the Core Conductors program is one tier of the Symphony Australia Conductor Development program. The program is offered free to participants. Entry to the program is by audition; the participants are the cream of Australia’s next generation of conductors.

Orchestra Victoria is committed to nurturing the next generation of Australian music makers. Hundreds of music students in regional Victoria have rehearsed and performed alongside Orchestra Victoria’s professional musicians through its Education program. Part of the role of the Orchestra Victoria’s Principal Guest Conductor Marko Letonja is to mentor young Australian conductors.

Orchestra Victoria Artistic Director Jo Beaumont said “It is so important that we nurture local talent, whether we are building the orchestras of tomorrow, supporting home-grown composers or the next generation of conductors. Orchestra Victoria is pleased to be able to play its part in Symphony Australia’s unique Conductor Development program.”

Internationally acclaimed and New York-based conductor Christopher Seaman is Course Director of the Conductor Development program and will lead the Core Conductors program next week.

Christopher Seamen said “I feel very excited and also very privileged to continue this important role in the musical life of Australia. For more than 20 years I have enjoyed coming here and conducting the excellent Australian orchestras. Now, in addition to that, I am enjoying playing my part in teaching and nurturing young Australian conductors.”

Over two days Orchestra Victoria will workshop music by Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Sibelius and Weber with young conductors Elizabeth Scott, Patrick Miller, Jason Isaac, Dane Lam and Jamie Allen.