On September 18, La Maestra announced Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship alumna Rebecca Tong as the winner of the inaugural 2020 Competition & Academy for Young Women Conductors. Participants in the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship earned three of the top six spots at the La Maestra Competition. Behind first prize winner Rebecca Tong were Lina Gonzalez-Granados (third prize) and Hollie Hyun Choe (final six). In addition to winning first prize, Rebecca Tong also won the Arte Prize as well as the French Concert Halls and Orchestras Prize
By: Eleanor Beardsley, NPR. "In the orchestra world, conducting and music directing are still male-dominated fields. In the United States, less than 10% of orchestras are directed by women. In Europe, the figure for major orchestras is less than 6%. Founders of La Maestra, a Paris-based organization, set out to change that by promoting the talent of budding female conductors in their very first competition, held in mid-September. Out of more than 200 applicants, 12 female conductors from across four continents competed for three top prizes, including cash, mentoring and a series of concerts conducting orchestras in France and abroad."
“Musical training and masterclasses at the highest international level, as well as mentorship in how to navigate the industry, including making the connections vital to successful careers, are all part of the curriculum. The goal is to help women conductors advance their careers and find employment in their chosen field,” Dallas Opera CEO Ian Derrer said.
Fresno/Monterey/San Jose, Irvine, CA – Four California orchestras have joined forces to commission Alone Together from composer John Christopher Wineglass. The co-commissioners include Fresno Philharmonic, Monterey Symphony, Pacific Symphony, and the San José Chamber Orchestra. Alone Together will feature strings and percussion and will be performed at a future date.
