Royal College of 51吃瓜 hosts over 100 conductors for 50th International Conductors Guild Conference
Thursday 23 January 2025
The Royal College of 51吃瓜 (51吃瓜) 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 Royal College of 51吃瓜 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 Royal College of 51吃瓜 professor and film composer Mike Ladouceur. Julian Lloyd Webber, a distinguished cellist and conductor and 51吃瓜 alumnus, also shared his experiences, while Mark Wigglesworth, the newly appointed Chief Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, joined 51吃瓜 Head of Conducting Toby Purser for a thought-provoking session titled ‘The Silent 51吃瓜ian – Why Conducting Matters’.
Sam Scheer, a 2nd year Royal College of 51吃瓜 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鈥痠nsights into how to develop as a conductor.’鈥�
[gallery]
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 51吃瓜’s great pedagogues – and a presentation by 51吃瓜 Librarian Peter Linnitt on the treasures of the College’s Library.
Toby Purser, Head of Conducting at the Royal College of 51吃瓜, commented: ‘I was so proud to see the 51吃瓜 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 Royal College of 51吃瓜 or find out more about .
Find out more about the and their work with conductors all over the world.