The Maazel/Vilar Conductors' Competition was launched at a Carnegie Hall press announcment in January 2001. Applications and information were then distributed to symphony
orchestras, opera companies, music schools and artist managers around the
world. Applications from conductors up to age 35 were accepted until June 1,
2001.
For this first Competition more than 350 applicants were received from
conductors in 43 different countries. The selection of candidates for each
of the six regional rounds was made by Maestro Maazel after an extensive
review of each application. The required elements of the application
included detailed biographical information, a personal essay, letters of
recommendation and audio/video examples of the applicant's work on the
podium.
Eight to ten conductors have been invited to each of the regional audition
rounds, which are being staged in Tokyo, Japan, with the Toho Gakuen
Orchestra (October 2001), Bloomington, Indiana, at the Indiana University
School of Music (December 2001); Krakow, Poland, with the Sinfonietta
Cracovia (January 2002); London, England, at the Royal College of Music
(February 2002); São Paulo, Brazil, with the Orquestra Experimental de
Repertório in association with the Mozarteum Brasileiro (April 2002); and
Sydney, Australia, with the Sydney Sinfonia (August 2002). Each regional
round consists of a general musicianship test and a series of orchestra
rehearsals by the candidates in repertoire chosen by the Competition. Maestro
Maazel will prepare each regional orchestra himself in a day of rehearsals
prior to the auditions themselves.
Finalists from the six regional rounds will be invited to Carnegie Hall in New York for a week of rehearsals and concerts with the Orchestra of St. Luke's in
September 2002, at the conclusion of which the Competition's first laureates will be announced.
