NZSO Conducting Fellowship
Te whakawhiwhinga kaiārahi
Anne Filimoehala conducting the NZSO
With generous support from The Tindall Foundation’s Mary Fitzwilliam Award and Creative New Zealand, the NZSO is proud to facilitate the Conducting Fellowship Programme
Driven by the vision of NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich, with support from NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd, the NZSO Conducting Fellowship is our premier offering for emerging orchestral conductors. This programme provides a unique year-long association with the orchestra and bespoke opportunities to work with NZSO players, international conductors and educators.
There are three levels of engagement to best suit the needs and development of successful applicants: Fellow, Associate Fellow and Intern.
2025 NZSO Conducting Fellowship Information
2024 Conducting Fellowship dates
Module 1 Sunday 11 February – Thursday 15 February
Module 2 Monday 17 June – Wednesday 19 June
Module 3 Sunday 1 September – Tuesday 3 September
Module 4 Sunday 3 November – Tuesday 5 November
2025 Conducting Fellowship dates
Module 1 Sunday 23 February – Thursday 27 February
Module 2 Saturday 21 June – Wednesday 25 June
Module 3 Saturday 20 September – Wednesday 24 September
Hamish McKeich, NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence
Conducting is often seen, or thought of, as a dark art, random and unteachable. The opposite is true; the conductor's world of gestures, energy, inspiration and leadership have much technique to be learned.
NZSO Conducting Fellow Costa Simpson
It’s not an understatement to say that the NZSO Conducting Fellowship changed my life. It threw open the doors of my musical imagination and provided me with a rigorous opportunity to learn and develop as a conductor. This Fellowship gifted me priceless opportunities for development, experience, friendship and inspiration.
