The Solti Foundation U.S. Gives Record Career Assistance Awards 

The organization has announced 22 young conductors as winners of its career assistance awards — the most in its decades-long history

The Solti Foundation U.S. is now in its third decade of assisting exceptional young American conductors to further develop their careers.

Recently, it selected a record 22 emerging conductors for its distinguished 2023 Career Assistance Award (CAA), which helps support artists in the early stages of their professional careers and their long-term development. 

Announced by Solti Foundation board chair Penny Van Horn and artistic and awards committee chair Elizabeth Buccheri, the winners vary in age from 24 to 37.

The 2023 CAA recipients are Elias Brown, Austin Chanu, John Gennaro Devlin, Nathaniel Efthimiou, Kevin Fitzgerald, Stefano Flavoni, Taichi Fukumura, Gerald Karni, Nicholas Koo, Geoffrey Loff, William Long, Francoise López-Ferrer, Benjamin Manis, Jacob Niemann, Nico Orlate-Hayes, Tristan Rais-Sherman, Michael Repper, Jacob Schnitzer, Euan Shields, Matthew Straw, William Walker, and Alyssa Wang.

There are 13 new awardees, while nine awardees have been recognized with one or more CAAs in past seasons, and six others have already secured management.

Applicants for the award are well-versed in concert and operatic repertoire and continually represent an expanding focus on community, education, and technology.

“It is a joy to receive applications from so many young conductors who are so passionate about classical music, who seek to connect audiences to classical music and who continue to do so through creative programming, varied education approaches, masterclasses, lectures, social media, and other projects,” Van Horn expressed.

“This is an incredible group of awardees!” Buccheri added. “From [guest conducting], to cover conductor roles, to serving in full-time positions, these dynamic young musicians are an exciting part of classical music's future! We look forward to following each and every one of your careers. Congratulations!”

Established in 2000 to honor the memory of the conductor Sir Georg Solti, the Foundation began focusing its awards on emerging American conductors in 2004. Since then, it has awarded over one million dollars through grants and residencies and is currently the only American foundation to provide these forms of awards to emerging U.S. conductors. 

Annual grants awarded by the Foundation include the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, the Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency, and the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award — applications to which are considered for a CAA.

To apply for an award from the Foundation, click here.