Four Codarts students were selected to make up a panel responsible for choosing a conductor to direct an orchestral project at the conservatory. A few weeks ago I spoke with Ruoran Ma, Bruno Vicente and Naomi van Hessen to learn more about their thoughts and expectations in anticipation for the competition.
Ruoran, a Classical Voice Masters student, claimed that, especially for opera performers, the conducting process is a process of mutual learning. The conductor is at the core of the entire performance: they can stimulate performers’ individual expressions. Nevertheless, opera actors can provide the conductor with different musical interpretations – this makes it a two-way shaping process. Ruoran was especially excited to observe how each participant would uniquely interpret and approach the music. She also recognized the stress the young conductors will likely be under: “I want to see how they flexibly adjust their mindset during the competition to showcase their solid professional knowledge. Emotion is a necessary skill for every musician. Whether the works they present can evoke the audience's resonance and have an infectious power.”
Bruno, who is currently completing his Bachelor's in Orchestral Conducting, demonstrated different stakes and hopes for ICCR. As a conductor himself, having already worked with two orchestras in Portugal and OIHUA, a contemporary music ensemble, Bruno is interested in learning more about what the juries value for his own future participation in competitions. Another point of enthusiasm surrounded the music itself: “I'm especially excited for the contemporary music phase (a real trial by fire for any conductor on their objective aural and technical skills), and the symphonic phase, because of the great repertoire.” We concluded our conversation on a patriotic note, with Bruno highlighting one of the contestants he was especially looking forward to seeing on the stage: “there's also one conductor representing my country Portugal, called Miguel Sepúlveda, so it will be exciting to see if we can finally get Portugal further in the international stage when it comes to conductors!”
Overall, the students, although sharing a general uncertainty of what awaits them as panel-members, demonstrated a keen excitement to find out. Naomi, a Classical Violin Masters student, mentioned that she had been in competition juries before, however never for conducting, something she is quite passionate about. She went on to say that, as an orchestral musician, you are usually just expected to “sit and do” what the conductor prefers, so it is special to be a part of the selection process. Naomi grew up watching orchestras with and led by her conductor-father. When asked which qualities are important for a conductor, Naomi quoted her father in saying that the orchestra is a plane and the conductor is a pilot: “conductors are there to assist the orchestra and to raise it up and to encourage it and to get the most out of the orchestra.” We ended our conversation with her advice to the young conductors: “an orchestra will give you so much if you're open to it.”
Come see the young maestros, as well as our talented Codarts students, in action from June 1st to 13th, 2025. Tickets for the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam can be found at the ICCR and de Doelen websites.
