Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music open applications for the next LSSO Conductor in Residence

Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music have opened applications for a young conductor to be resident with the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) for a year. This will be the second year of the residency for young conductors from under-represented groups, designed to nurture diverse talent and champion representation within the orchestra.

The scheme sees the successful applicant gain unique experience working with LSSO students during the orchestra’s week-long Christmas, Easter and Summer holiday courses, as well as being offered one-to-one mentor support from professional conductors. The Conductor in Residence is involved in all aspects of the orchestra, including attending audition panels and taking sectional rehearsals, as well as having the opportunity for a professional credit conducting the orchestra in concert. Bradley Wilson, the inaugural postholder, conducted Errolyn Wallen’s Mighty River at a concert in Milton Court earlier this year as part of his year in post.              

Roger Wilson, Director of Operations at Black Lives in Music says:

“The London Schools Symphony Orchestra Conductor in Residence programme is ground-breaking in shining a light on developing conducting talent from underrepresented communities.  Making your way into the music profession is hard enough, to make your way as a conductor for someone from an underrepresented group is harder still.  Black Lives in Music has been proud to work in partnership with Guildhall Young Artists and the LSSO.  As an alumnus of the orchestra, I know what a significant part it played in my life, both personally and professionally.  It’s been wonderfully satisfying to see the mentoring Bradley Wilson has received as the present incumbent.  Working with some of the top music professionals has always been a key feature of LSSO, inspiring the orchestra as part of that experience.  I’m looking forward to the programme cementing itself as one of the key pathways for development of tomorrow’s professional conductors and, in turn, helping to improve representation in this area as we should all wish to see.”

Alison Mears, Director of Guildhall Young Artists says:

“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Black Lives in Music to support aspiring conductors from underrepresented groups on their journey into the profession. It has been so rewarding to see Bradley develop as a conductor during the year; he has brought a new energy to the orchestra and introduced the students to some really exciting repertoire. The conductor in residence post enriches the learning opportunities for all involved with the LSSO, and we hope that in turn we are helping to drive change towards a more inclusive music profession.”

Bradley Wilson, inaugural LSSO Conductor in Residence says:

“It’s been an exciting year of learning and evolving as an artist whilst I have been in my post as Conductor in Residence with the LSSO, and I am incredibly grateful to Guildhall Young Artists and Black Lives in Music for supporting me throughout. This experience has given me invaluable opportunities, and because of this, I am going on to the role of Founder and Director of Orchestra Development at Underscore, the first Midlands orchestra for global majority musicians and their allies. I hope that applicants for the Conductor in Residence role will cherish this opportunity to work with a wonderful orchestra of young musicians.”

The Conductor in Residence scheme forms part of Guildhall Young Artists’ commitment to support young musicians from historically under-represented backgrounds and is part of an ongoing partnership with Black Lives in Music to help build an equitable, inclusive environment at Guildhall School. 

Applications are invited from individuals who have recently completed studies in conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, who are currently studying conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or who are studying conducting as part of their degree. The successful applicant will receive an assistant conductor’s fee of £6,000, payable in three instalments.

Candidates wanting to apply to the scheme should do so before the deadline on 24 July 2023, by sending a letter of application summarising your experience, any forthcoming plans and what you hope to gain from the scheme to tim.pottier@gsmd.ac.uk. Interviews will be held on 13 September for shortlisted students, and those invited to interview will be invited to attend the LSSO concert that evening at Barbican Hall. 

Photo credit: Bradley Wilson, LSSO Conductor in Residence 2023 conducting the LSSO at Milton Court Concert Hall, April 2023. Photo by Robert Masek

FAQs for Applicants 

•    What is the London Schools Symphony Orchestra?
Hailed by Sir Simon Rattle as “an incomparable ambassador for the dynamism and excellence of British youth”, the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) has been celebrated as a potent symbol of the talents and achievements of London’s finest young musicians. Managed by London’s Centre for Young Musicians, part of Guildhall Young Artists, the orchestra aims to give its members a complete experience of orchestral repertoire. Guildhall Young Artists is Guildhall School’s network of centres across the country, providing inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people.

•    Who can apply for the scheme?
Applications are invited from students who have recently completed studies in conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, who are currently studying conducting at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or who are studying conducting as part of their degree. In order to nurture diverse talent and champion representation within the orchestra, the scheme is particularly aimed at attracting applications from young conductors from under-represented groups.

•    What dates will the role be required to work?
The successful applicant will work with the orchestra during the Christmas holiday, Easter holiday and summer holiday LSSO courses, provisional dates still to be confirmed, are:

Course 1: 10 December 2023–10 January 2024 
Course 2: 4 April–15 April 2024 
Course 3: 21 July–4 August 2024 and 14 September–16 September 2024

•    Where will the work be based?
Rehearsals take place at Morley College in London, with some rehearsals in concert venues such as the Barbican or Milton Court at Guildhall School (London). Course 3 will include a short domestic or international tour. 

•    How do I apply and what’s the deadline?

Please send a letter of application summarising your experience, any forthcoming plans and what you hope to gain from the scheme. Please supply contact details of at least one referee who can support your rehearsal and conducting experience, or an application by video that includes at least one example of you conducting during rehearsal. 

Applications and supporting documents (rehearsal footage or reference) should be sent to Tim Pottier, Head of CYM Programmes tim.pottier@gsmd.ac.uk by 24 July 2023.  Interviews will be held on 13 September for shortlisted students, and those invited to interview will be invited to attend the LSSO concert that evening at Barbican Hall. 

•    How much will the role be paid?
The successful applicant will receive a fee of £6,000, to include any expenses such as travel, payable in three instalments.

•    Do applicants need to be DBS checked?
Guildhall Young Artists will undertake DBS checks once an offer has been made to a successful candidate. 

If you have other questions related to the scheme, please email lsso@gsmd.ac.uk for more information.