As part of the training at the Karajan Akademie, the Siemens Arts Program offers a scholarship for conducting. In addition to the two-year academy training, this conducting scholarship includes the position of project-based assistant to the chief conductor and other conductors of the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Karajan Akademie. Performing in a carte blanche concert of the Karajan Akademie is also part of the scholarship concept.
From 2022 to 2024, Christian Blex and Oscar Jockel were the conducting fellows of the Karajan Akademie, both of whom were successful in the conducting competition for the Siemens Conductors Scholarship. They each assisted Kirill Petrenko for a year, conducted the preliminary rehearsals for the Karajan Akademie concerts and each gave a portrait concert in the Chamber Music Hall.
Conductor selection procedure 2024
The winner of the next scholarship was decided in a competition on 9 June 2024 at the Philharmonie Berlin. The selection process was carried out in three stages: Review of the applications, rehearsal work with a chamber orchestra made up of members of the Karajan Akademie and a personal interview to get to know the artistic personalities. In the three selection rounds, the candidates for the Siemens Conductors Scholarship were able to demonstrate their abilities.
Three young conductors were selected from over 60 applications for the scholarship, which is advertised worldwide, and auditioned in a one-day selection process on 6 June 2024. The winner of the competition was Dayner Tafur-Díaz, who will complete a two-year scholarship at the Karajan Akademie.
Candidates 2024
Siemens Arts Program
The Siemens Arts Program is active in the fields of music, visual arts and cultural education and sees itself as a creative platform for the company’s own arts and cultural projects. It creates innovative projects with outstanding individuals and institutions from the arts and culture scene.
An important goal of the programme is to promote outstanding young talent worldwide. This is done through self-initiated young talent competitions, scholarships and networking young artists with established international cultural institutions (Bayerische Staatsoper, Carnegie Hall New York, Opéra National de Paris, Salzburg Festival, ARD International Music Competition).
