Other Initiatives

[BALTIMORE, June 24, 2024]—The Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship (TACF) announces the premieres of its new commissioned orchestral work—Go Where the Wind Takes You—by Ukrainian composer Iryna Aleksiychuk, set to poetry by Olena Stepanenko. The world premiere takes place at the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Festival in the Czech Republic on July 5, conducted by TACF’s 2004 Fellow and Music Director of the Reno Philharmonic Laura Jackson. Marin Alsop leads the U.S. premiere with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival, where she is Chief Conductor, on July 13.

TACF Board member Neeta Helms and her company, Classical Movements, have commissioned this work through the Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program specifically for TACF conductors to program in the 2024-25 season and beyond.

“The Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship is grateful to Neeta Helms and Classical Movements for their generosity in commissioning this new work,” said TACF founder and acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop. “While premiering a new work is indeed important, perhaps even more so are subsequent performances, and it’s a thrill that we’ve been able to secure these in the 2024-25 season. I know that Iryna’s piece will resonate with both orchestras and audiences, as her inspiration comes from the heart. We hope there will be many future performances.”

Go Where the Wind Takes You is a 15-minute concert-opening piece for full orchestra inspired by the themes of leadership, strength, tolerance, community, and empowerment found in the poem of the same name by Ukrainian poet Olena Stepanenko. Composer Iryna Aleksiychuk said of the work, “This work is written in honor of Ukrainian women who, despite all the horrors of the war against Ukraine, do not lose their courage, hope, and faith in our victory.”

Dedicated by the composer to the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, the work is scheduled for subsequent performances throughout the coming season led by TACF conductors across the globe during the 2024-2025 season.

[BALTIMORE, March 1, 2024] –Beginning in the 2024-25 season, the Richmond Symphony, led by Music Director and 2015 TACF Fellow Valentina Peleggi, announces the first Richmond Symphony Conducting Apprenticeship. This is a unique opportunity created by the Richmond Symphony in Richmond, VA; in collaboration with the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship; and in partnership with the Richmond Symphony Chorus, Richmond Ballet and Virginia Opera. Claire Lewis, TACF 2024 Mentee, will spend 4-6 weeks over the course of the 2024-25 season with the top musical organizations in Virginia: Richmond Symphony, Virginia Opera and Richmond Ballet. Work with Richmond Symphony Music Director, and TACF Fellow (2015), Valentina Peleggi, and other Richmond Symphony Staff conductors as well as artistic teams from connected organizations.

The conductor will have the opportunity to learn about the variety of jobs and roles connected with conducting at a US Symphony, including, the related expectations, differences, challenges and responsibilities. Such roles include: Music Director, Associate Conductor, Assistant Conductor, staff conductor, score reader (media/tech), choral conductor, opera conductor, assistant opera conductor, ballet conductor, and youth orchestra conductor.

Additionally, the Apprentice will have the opportunity to learn about the complex world of a Symphonic/Opera/Ballet company directly from Executives and Administrators, and to gain knowledge of the workings of different departments and how the relationship with the conducting staff impacts that work, gaining insight in a complex industry landscape.

[BALTIMORE, June 1, 2022] The Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship (TACF) is pleased to announce – on International Women’s Day – a series of concerts around the globe to celebrate its 20th anniversary season and the collective power of women in classical music. Nine conductors who have been assisted by awards from TACF will be featured in the series, seven of whom are the Music Directors of their respective orchestras, and one of whom is Music Director of two participating orchestras. To support these conductors and orchestras as they emerge from the COVID-related challenges of the past two seasons, TACF has arranged – with support from a generous donor – to sponsor a week of their 2022-23 seasons. TACF awardees for 2022-24 will be on hand during these weeks to assist and benefit from the mentorship of their TACF predecessors. All ten performances will feature Israeli-American cellist Inbal Segev – known for her “complete dedication and high intelligence” (San Francisco Classical Voice) – playing DANCE, a concerto commissioned by Segev from Grammy-nominated composer Anna Clyne after the two were introduced by Marin Alsop herself.