DETAILS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONDUCTORS ACADEMY OF THE ALLIANZ CULTURAL FOUNDATION


Description of the Institution:

The International Conductors' Academy of the Allianz Cultural Foundation was set-up last year in the UK by the Curator of the Allianz Cultural Foundation Karsten Witt, former Chief Executive of the South Bank Centre and ex-President of Deutsche Gramophon. The Academy is London-based and is engaged in the training and professional development of talented young conductors. All the Academy administration goes through a London office, managed by Barbara Palczynski, former Concerts Manager of the Philharmonia Orchestra.

There will be an intake of 3 students in each academic year. The curriculum is as follows: starting with the season 2003/04 the Academy will take place within 4 periods over each season; the first 3 periods will each be linked to a rehearsal period of one of either the London Philharmonic or the Philharmonia Orchestra. Within each of these periods the 3 students will develop a close relationship with the respective coaching conductor (Maestro Kurt Masur or Maestro Christoph von Dohnanyi) and the orchestra by watching the entire rehearsal process, attending daily sessions with the coaching conductor and rehearsing the orchestra themselves under the leadership of the coaching conductor. In the final period the students will each conduct repertoire in a concert which will take place in the Royal Festival Hall. The institution to which we are affiliated, and which at present has sole responsibility for the overall financial arrangements for the activity and administration of the Academy, is the Allianz Cultural Foundation.

The central theme of the Allianz Cultural Foundation is to capitalise on the potential of culture amongst young people. In keeping with its aim to build cultural bridges through the arts, the Allianz Cultural Foundation is both a programme initiator and a sponsoring foundation. The Foundation promotes artistic, cultural and educational projects in the spirit of European integration and especially with the participation of young people. It aims to make a lasting contribution through increasing our understanding and knowledge of one another through maintaining a healthy respect for lively, independent cultures in all European nations. Beyond that, the Foundation hopes to build up its own alumni network and thus make an active, long-lasting contribution to the promotion of cross-border cultural processes. For this, besides an internet-based communication platform, there are also internal seminars and open discussions, which give chosen former grant-holders, prize-winners and partner institutions the opportunity to meet in person and to exchange information.

Aim of the programme:

The creation of the International Conductors' Academy is a structured programme based in the UK, which aims to foster new conducting talent. It does so at the highest level, working with the two world-class and leading London orchestras (London Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestra) and their chief conductors (Maestros Kurt Masur and Christoph von Dohnanyi) with three young conductors at the start of their careers. Both the Philharmonia Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra are resident at the South Bank Centre. The SBC, with its own rich and varied musical programme will be an exciting venue in which to create the Academy environment. Both Christoph von Dohnanyi and Kurt Masur are among the small number of leading international conductors world-wide. They have a lifetime's experience to offer.

The Academy will provide both an active mentoring and invaluable training experience, as well as a meaningful performance opportunity at the end of the year. As the programme develops, it will be flexible enough to respond appropriately to the needs of each young conductor individually, in order that their training experience is both personal and relevant. During their training periods they will gain immediate professional experience in rehearsing important repertoire under the guidance of their mentors. In addition to rehearsing, throughout each period they will attend rehearsals and performances of the orchestras, meet regularly with their mentors for on-going musical guidance, coaching and feedback on technical and musical matters to develop their leadership qualities.

In addition to on-the-job training, the programme will also provide invaluable off-site learning opportunities through contact with the orchestral management, composers, publishers, agents, promoters, venue managers, producers and journalists. In this way the young conductors will develop a better understanding of the complex environment in which they are operating and of their own positions in orchestral life and a highly differentiated international music business.

The aim is to prepare the young conductors for their future professional roles bringing creativity, individuality and musicality to the work involved in artistic leadership.

Based in London, it is arguably the most important centre of the international music business, a draw for all representatives from the major classical music institutions and at the heart of orchestral life in the UK. There are no other orchestras of this level offering the same hands-on training and mentoring for young conductors at this stage in their career under the guidance and expertise of conductors such as Maestros Masur and Dohnanyi. Nor are there any programmes which can promise a concert of such high profile as the Royal Festival Hall London performance with these or chestras, with the South Bank Centre Marketing and PR machinery attached to such an event.

The selection process is primarily by recommendation through close and careful consultation with teachers, orchestral managers, agents, more experienced conductors and other music experts. The final shortlist is presented to Maestros Masur and Dohnanyi respectively on behalf of the orchestras. They make a decision in consultation with the General Managers of each orchestra (David Whelton & Timothy Walker) and with the Curator of the Allianz Cultural Foundation (Karsten Witt).