History
The ABC Concerts Division supported the development of young conductors in a number of different ways until 1995 when it initiated the Young Conductor of the Year competition in conjunction with a three-week mastercourse led by David Porcelijn.
This format continued for four years with such distinguished conductors as Gianluigi Gelmetti, Vernon Handley, Noam Sheriff, Jorma Panula and Gustav Meier leading the courses.
In 1999 Symphony Australia decided to invest significantly more time and money in conductor training. Jorma Panula, one of the world's finest conducting teachers, agreed to spend 12 weeks per year in Australia.
A larger number of conductors was selected to work with him either as part of the Young Conductor of the Year competition or in various shorter modules which focused on particular areas of repertoire, individual composers or specific techniques.
Special modules for school students and beginners were introduced, to wide acclaim.
Jorma Panula remained Course Director until 2003, when Christopher Seaman was appointed to the position.Maestro Panula continues an International Adviser to the program.
Since 2001 the program has taken the form of various mastercourses featuring guest teachers as well as the Course Director.
Christopher Seaman spends a number of weeks each year in Australia.
Guest teachers have included Johannes Fritzsch, Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Geoffrey Lancaster, Graham Abbott, Harry Spence Lyth, Peter Moore, János Fürst, Arvo Volmer, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Ola Rudner, David Porcelijn and Peter McCoppin.
Some mastercourses are specifically aimed at particular groups.
For instance, The Beat Starts Here is run a number of times each year, targeting conductors working in the education system and those working with community groups and ensembles.
Scholar Conductors is a program for talented musicians who are still attending high school.
The Auditors' Program allows interested people to attend courses as observers, for a small fee.
And the Core program caters for those who are of a high standard or show exceptional potential and pass the rigorous audition process.
