The Colburn School announced earlier today that Esa-Pekka Salonen will be joining the faculty of the Colburn Conservatory.  The Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London and Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic will lead the brand new Negaunee Conducting Program devoted to training young conductors.

The program is named for the Negaunee Foundation, an Illinois-based charity headed by Richard W. Colburn, son of the Colburn School’s namesake, Richard D. Colburn, and a member of the Colburn School’s Board of Directors.

The first cohort of up to three students will begin classes in Fall 2019 and will be known as “Salonen Fellows.” Applications are due by December 1, 2018; live auditions will be held in the first quarter of 2019.

In addition to their studies in Los Angeles with Mr. Salonen and work with multiple Colburn ensembles, Fellows will also serve as Mr. Salonen’s conducting assistants at the Philharmonia where they will lead the orchestra in both its residency series and designated tour dates.  As with all Colburn Conservatory students, they will receive a full scholarship which includes all tuition, room, and board.

“I’m very excited to be launching the Negaunee Conducting Program at the Colburn School,” said Mr. Salonen. “It’s been a long-term hope of mine to develop something that offers hands-on experience for young conductors. What makes this special is the collaboration between the Philharmonia and the School, bridging the gap from Conservatory to professional music-making.”

“We are delighted to host Salonen Fellows and to partner with the Colburn School in supporting the development of the next generation of conductors,” said Helen Sprott, Managing Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra. “The Philharmonia supports young artists at every stage of the talent pipeline, from early years to post-graduate levels: we want emerging musicians everywhere to benefit from contact with the Philharmonia and its players, and the opportunity to identify and work with outstanding young conductors in this visionary global program is a wonderful manifestation of our mission and vision.”

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Esa-Pekka Salonen to the Colburn School faculty, and we are deeply grateful to the Negaunee Foundation for its support,” said Sel Kardan, President and CEO of the Colburn School. “Esa-Pekka has forged an innovative path as a conductor, music director, and composer both here in Los Angeles, and throughout the world. In collaboration with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the conducting program will allow the Salonen Fellows an unprecedented opportunity to study and work closely with one of today’s most important music figures.”

The full press release is available HERE.

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Photo credit:  Minna Hatinen / Finnish National Opera and Ballet