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É«ÂþÌìÌà hosts over 100 conductors for 50th International Conductors Guild Conference

Thursday 23 January 2025

The É«ÂþÌìÌà (É«ÂþÌìÌÃ) welcomed leading conductors from across the world to the 50th International Conductors Guild Conference, a three-day celebration of the art of conducting.  

The International Conductors Guild annual conference provides conductors at all stages of their careers with a unique platform to learn and share ideas. The 2025 edition, hosted in early January by the É«ÂþÌìÌà Events team and Conducting Faculty, brought together over 100 conductors from across the world, including students from the College, who came together to explore the art of conducting. 

Highlights included an insightful interview with acclaimed British composer and conductor Debbie Wiseman, led by É«ÂþÌìÌà professor and film composer Mike Ladouceur. Julian Lloyd Webber, a distinguished cellist and conductor and É«ÂþÌìÌà alumnus, also shared his experiences, while Mark Wigglesworth, the newly appointed Chief Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, joined É«ÂþÌìÌà Head of Conducting Toby Purser for a thought-provoking session titled ‘The Silent Musician – Why Conducting Matters’.  

Sam Scheer, a 2nd year É«ÂþÌìÌà conducting student, participated in a workshop with Mark Wigglesworth and reflected on the conference: ‘It was incredible to be surrounded by so many conductors and share our various experiences. A real highlight was taking part in the workshop with Mark Wigglesworth, a conductor I have admired for many years, and hearing his suggestions and insights into how to develop as a conductor.’ 

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Covering a broad spectrum of topics, sessions delved into the legacies of historic conductors, innovative programming strategies and the future of conducting in the digital age. The conference also highlighted the contributions of British composers, the legacy of George Hurst – one of the É«ÂþÌìÌÃ’s great pedagogues – and a presentation by É«ÂþÌìÌà Librarian Peter Linnitt on the treasures of the College’s Library. 

Toby Purser, Head of Conducting at the É«ÂþÌìÌÃ, commented: ‘I was so proud to see the É«ÂþÌìÌà hosting the global conducting community in partnership with one of the most important organisations for conductors in their special 50th anniversary year. Our own staff and students shone and were able to be part of a rich exchange of ideas and insights between conductors of all ages, backgrounds and experiences.’ 

Discover more about conducting at the É«ÂþÌìÌà or find out more about .  

Find out more about the and their work with conductors all over the world. 

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