International conducting competition to be launched at IU School of Music

Maazel, music director of the renowned Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra of Munich, and philanthropist Alberto W. Vilar have announced a $5 million competition and training program to assist in the development of gifted young conductors. The IU School of Music in Bloomington, along with Tokyo, Japan; Cracow, Poland; London, England; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Sydney, Australia, will be the locations of the competition for conductors of all nationalities up to age 35. One finalist from each site will be selected for a week of rehearsals and concerts at Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s in September 2002.

“The selection of Bloomington for this event is recognition of the international reputation of our music school,” said Gwyn Richards, interim dean of the IU School of Music. “We look forward to working with Lorin Maazel, who is unquestionably one of the world’s preeminent musicians.”

Maazel will come to Bloomington for five days in December to prepare the IU Philharmonic Orchestra for the competition and to direct the auditions.

The award from the non-profit Maazel/Vilar Conductors’ Competition Foundation includes training with Maazel and other leading artists for two to three years, plus $45,000 in cash and selection for professional engagements. The number of finalists will be determined later. Vilar is president of Amerindo Investment Advisors, a technology investment firm headquartered in New York City.