About

The YMF Debut Orchestra Music Director and Conductor post is one of the most prestigious training positions available to young conductors. A three-year position, this opportunity gives one conductor (selected through national auditions) the opportunity to plan, rehearse, and conduct a series of approximately six concerts per season including symphonic, chamber orchestra, family and fundraising performances.

The Music Director & Conductor reports to the YMF Executive Director and YMF Programs Director, working alongside the Programs Director and Music Advisory Board to create each season’s programming and budget, conduct yearly auditions, write program notes, direct up to three outreach performances around Los Angeles County and represent YMF at numerous social and artistic events.

The Music Director receives a BMI Foundation Inc./Lionel Newman Conducting Study Grant, a YMF Conducting Grant, and the YMF/John & Samantha Williams Conducting Fellowship Grant. This is one of the few programs available where the most talented young conductors in the world are paired with one of the premiere youth orchestras in the nation, and given the opportunity to plan, rehearse, and conduct a full orchestra season.

The current Music Director of the Debut Orchestra is Case Scaglione, who began his three-year tenure in July, 2008.

Alumni Conductors 1955-present

André Previn

Michael Tilson Thomas

Lucas Richman

Jung-Ho Pak

Daniel Hege

David Blum* – Andre Previn – Robert La Marchina* – Henry Lewis* – Manuel Compinsky* – Lawrence Foster – Kenneth Klein – Michael Tilson Thomas – Robert Henderson – Phil Lehrman – Michael Nowak – Joel Ethan Fried – Calvin Simmons* – Rhonda Kess – Myung-Whun Chung – Toshiyuki Shimada – Emil de Cou – Neal Stulberg – Lucas Richman – Jung-Ho Pak – Daniel Hege – Lara Webber – Bundit Ungrangsee – Wilson Hermanto – Joana Carneiro – Sean Newhouse

(* In Memoriam)

Eligibility

Open to conductors of exceptional professional promise and ability who reside in the United States, who will not have reached their 27th birthday by June 30th of the year of the auditions, and who are not yet under professional management.

Audition Openings

The next audition for the Music Director & Conductor post will be in May, 2011.

Applications will be available in October, 2010

Required Materials – due March 4th

• Completed application
• Resume
• Proof of age (copy of drivers license, passport, or birth certificate)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Labeled DVD: 10-30 minutes long. Full frontal view of conductor in rehearsal or performance of 3 contrasting works.

Live Audition Requirements

TBA