Finnish/American conductor, Aku Sorensen, impressed the five-strong panel at the final with his outstanding conducting ability and excellent communication with the orchestra.

Finnish/American conductor, Aku Sorensen, impressed the five-strong panel at the final with his outstanding conducting ability and excellent communication with the orchestra. More than 200 conductors applied to take part, and eight semi-finalists were selected for the competition days on 29 and 30 March. Presented by BBC Radio 3’s Tom McKinney, the final on 31 March was a public concert at The Bridgewater Hall in which the finalists were put through their paces in front of an enthusiastic live audience.

The first prize of the Conductors Competition consists of a three-year engagement as Assistant Conductor to Kahchun Wong, the Hallé’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor. In addition, Aku will become Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra and will receive the opportunity to establish himself on the world stage through numerous guest conducting appearances. Aku will take up his new position with the Hallé in September 2026.

Alongside Stephan Frucht and Kahchun Wong, the competition panel comprised three experts from the classical music world: David Butcher (Chief Executive of the Hallé), Anna Hirst (Head of Artistic Planning at the Hallé) and Frauke Roth (General Manager of the Dresdner Philharmonie).

The competition builds on a long-standing partnership between the Hallé and Siemens AG. As well as fostering excellence among talented young musicians as part of the Siemens Arts Program, the two organizations collaborate closely on delivering a variety of educational and community outreach projects.

To learn more about the SHICC, visit www.conductors-competition.com

Further information on the Siemens Arts Program is available at:

Siemens Arts Program – Sustainability – Global