Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music announce LSSO Conductor in Residence scheme for young conductors

Otis Enokido-Lineham conducting the LSSO at the LSSO & CYM Anniversary Concert (2022). Photo by Kevin Leighton.

Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music announce LSSO Conductor in Residence scheme for young conductors

Today Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music announce the launch of a new Conductor in Residence Scheme, providing a unique opportunity for a young conductor to be resident with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) for a year. In order to nurture diverse talent and champion representation within the orchestra, the scheme is particularly aimed at attracting applications from young conductors from under-represented groups.

The scheme will see the successful applicant gain unique experience working with LSSO students during the orchestra’s week-long Christmas, Easter and summer holiday courses, as well as being offered one-to-one mentor support from professional conductors. The Conductor in Residence will be involved in all aspects of the orchestra, including attending audition panels and taking sectional rehearsals, as well as having the opportunity for a professional credit conducting the orchestra in concert.

The launch of this new scheme forms a part of Guildhall Young Artists’ commitment to support young musicians from historically under-represented backgrounds and is part of an ongoing partnership with Black Lives in Music to help build an equitable, inclusive environment at Guildhall School.  

Roger Wilson, Director of Operations at Black Lives in Music says:

“This is an excellent opportunity to nurture the diverse conducting talent that we should all wish to see on the podium. Black Lives in Music are confident this ground-breaking programme will help to shine a light on an often-overlooked career pathway in classical music. We’re pleased to be working alongside Guildhall Young Artists and the LSSO. It’s a tangible, empowering and impactful effort to level the playing field of opportunity for aspiring young conductors from all backgrounds and not just the privileged few.”

Alison Mears, Director of Guildhall Young Artists says:

“We are really excited to be working with Roger Wilson and all at Black Lives in Music to realise this important initiative. The conductor in residence post is an opportunity for an aspiring conductor to join the team at LSSO for a year to help train and conduct this outstanding orchestra of young talent and to be mentored by guest conductors.”

Applications are invited from individuals who have recently completed studies in conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, who are currently studying conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or who are studying conducting as part of their degree. The successful applicant will receive an assistant conductor’s fee of £6,000, payable in three instalments.

Candidates wanting to apply to the scheme should do so before the deadline on 15 September 2022, by sending a letter of application summarising your experience and what you hope to gain from the scheme to alison.mears@gsmd.ac.uk. Interviews will be held on 20 September and those invited to interview will be invited to attend the LSSO concert that evening at Barbican Hall.

Photo credit: Otis Enokido-Lineham conducting the LSSO at the LSSO & CYM Anniversary Concert (2022). Photo by Kevin Leighton.

FAQs for Applicants 

  • What is the London Schools Symphony Orchestra?
    Guildhall Young Artists is Guildhall School’s network of centres across the country, providing inspiring performing arts training for children and young people. Hailed by Sir Simon Rattle as “an incomparable ambassador for the dynamism and excellence of British youth”, the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) has been celebrated as a potent symbol of the talents and achievements of London’s finest young musicians. Managed by London’s Centre for Young Musicians, part of Guildhall Young Artists, the orchestra aims to give its members a complete experience of the orchestral repertoire.
     
  • Who can apply for the scheme?
    Applications are invited from students who have recently completed studies in conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, who are currently studying conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or who are studying conducting as part of their degree. In order to nurture diverse talent and champion representation within the orchestra, the scheme is particularly aimed at attracting applications from young conductors from under-represented groups.
     
  • What dates will the role be required to work?
    The successful applicant will work with the orchestra during the Christmas holiday, Easter holiday and summer holiday LSSO courses, approximate dates still to be confirmed, are:
    - Christmas: Mid-December to early January
    - Easter: Early April to mid-April
    - Summer: Mid-July to the end of July, as well as some dates in early September
     
  • Where will the work be based?
    Most of the rehearsals take place in Morley College in London, with some rehearsals in concert venues such as the Barbican or Milton Court at Guildhall School, also in London.
     
  • How do I apply and what’s the deadline?
    Please send a letter of application summarising your experience and what you hope to gain from the scheme to alison.mears@gsmd.ac.uk by 15 September 2022.  Shortlisted students will be invited to interview on 20 September and will be invited to attend the LSSO concert that evening at the Barbican.
     
  • How much will the role be paid?
    The successful applicant will receive a fee of £6,000, payable in three instalments.
     
  • Do applicants need to be DBS checked?
    Guildhall Young Artists will undertake DBS checks once an offer has been made to a successful candidate.

If you have other questions related to the scheme, please email info@cym.org.uk for more information.