International Conductors Guild

04/14/2026

Fantastic NYTimes article about one of our own! Excellent JoAnn Falletta!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

At a challenging time for American orchestras, the question of what a community wants from a music director has become more urgent.

04/06/2026

The International Conductors Guild and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music are joining forces this summer for an extraordinary week-long workshop that no serious conductor should miss. Taking place June 12-17, 2026, at UCLA's Schoenberg Music Building in Los Angeles, the Sibelius-Mozart Conductor Workshop will focus on Sibelius' Symphony No. 2, Mozart's Symphony No. 38 "Prague," the Overture to Don Giovanni, and opera arias and recitatives with live singers.

Twelve selected conductors will receive generous podium time working with the UCLA Philharmonia, one of the finest training orchestras in Southern California. The faculty lineup is exceptional, including Neal Stulberg, Director of Orchestra Studies at UCLA; opera conductor Arthur Fagen, Music Director Emeritus of the Atlanta Opera; John Farrer, founder of the London Conducting Workshops; and musicologist William Kinderman of UCLA. Alexander Technique instruction with Pamela Blanc rounds out an already rich curriculum.
The application deadline is Monday, April 20, 2026, with a $40 application fee and tuition of $2,500 for selected participating conductors. If you have been waiting for a workshop that combines serious orchestral repertoire with opera conducting at a world-class institution, this is it!

For more information: https://www.internationalconductorsguild.org/

03/31/2026

Congratulations to Emily Freeman Brown on winning the 2026 Alice M. Ditson Conductor's Award, presented by Columbia University's Alice M. Ditson Fund -- the oldest continuing award honoring conductors for distinguished contributions to American music. As a former president of the International Conductors Guild, a trailblazing educator at Bowling Green State University, and a tireless champion of American composers, Emily has dedicated her career to elevating new music. From her nine acclaimed Albany Records albums to her appearances with orchestras across four continents, her impact on the field is immeasurable. The award will be presented on April 19th at Kobacker Hall at BGSU. Well deserved, Maestro Brown.

03/25/2026

Maestro Libi Lebel, founding music director of the Texas Medical Center Orchestra, herself a multi-year laureate of The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, presented The American Prize National Arts Award to the International Conductors Guild and its president, Maestro Claire Fox Hillard, at the Guild's annual conference in Dallas last week. The award recognizes the International Conductors Guild for its 50 years of service to the art and profession.

The National Arts Award is TAP's highest honor. Previous recipients have included Denyce Graves, American vocal artist & opera director; Rachel Barton Pine, American violinist and philanthropist; Kenneth Kiesler, American conductor and educator; James Sinclair, American conductor and Charles Ives Scholar; PARMA Recordings of North Hampton NH; Dale Warland, American conductor and recording artist; and David Daniels, American conductor, author and archivist.

03/24/2026

We are very saddened to share the news of Gregory Jones’ passing. Gregory had been a member of the International Conductors Guild since 2016 and recently attended his first ICG Conference in Dallas, TX. Gregory participated in all events associated with the ICG Dallas Conference and many remember his enthusiasm for talking with conductors and learning from his colleagues. Gregory will be deeply missed by all of us.

Please share your memories of Gregory and visit his full obituary to leave condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Gregory.

https://www.comfortfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Gregory-James-Jones-II?obId=47538695

03/12/2026

We send hearty congratulations to International Conductors Guild member, Robert Kahn, on his exciting appointment as Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra!! Congratulations Robert!!! ❤️👏🏻❤️👏🏻❤️

The Solti Foundation U.S. and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association have partnered to create a new opportunity for an early career American conductor.

03/09/2026

Two members of the International Conductors Guild had the incredible honor of visiting the legendary Maestro Herbert Blomstedt backstage following his breathtaking All-Brahms matinée performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Richard Hickam, Music Director and Conductor of the AdventHealth Orchestra (Orlando, FL), and Dr. John Farrer, Emeritus Past President of the International Conductors Guild and Music Director of the Roswell Symphony (NM), were both deeply moved by Maestro Blomstedt's artistry and his commanding interpretation of Brahms.

For Dr. Farrer, the afternoon carried a special personal resonance — he had the privilege of serving as Maestro Blomstedt's assistant conductor during his celebrated tenure as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1985 to 1995, a transformative decade that left an indelible mark on American orchestral life.

Seeing a master at work never gets old. Congratulations to Maestro Blomstedt on yet another triumphant performance, and what a joy to celebrate this extraordinary afternoon with colleagues and friends who share such a deep love for the art of conducting.

02/24/2026

In Memoriam: Shutong Li

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of our colleague and member, Shutong Li, Assistant Conductor of Bard College's U.S.-China Music Institute, who passed away tragically on February 23, 2026.

Shutong was a gifted conductor, a dedicated teacher, and a warm presence in our community. He will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to his wife, his young son, and all who loved him.

— The International Conductors Guild

02/19/2026

Ours rehearsal days are winding down but leading up to our first rehearsal with the wonderful musicians of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic tomorrow! Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, (Italian) and Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Op. 21.

Exciting times ahead!!

02/19/2026

Our final rehearsals with two pianos at the International Conductors Guild -- Fort Wayne Philharmonic International Conductor workshop. Tomorrow we begin orchestra rehearsals culminating in a wonderful final concert on Saturday, February 21 at 7:30pm. Please join us at Auer Auditorium on the campus of Purdue- Fort Wayne University. Free admission!

Wonderful conducting by our participants today! Remember their names! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

02/18/2026

Fantastic group of conductors at this year’s ICG -Fort Wayne Philharmonic International Conductor Workshop! Just a few of our amazing conductors- Xiong (Billy) Gan from UCLA, Ashley Pratz from Peabody, and Mengru Zheng from IU Jacobs School of Music. Maestro Andrew Constantine brings such knowledge and vast experience to these eager learners!

Join us on Saturday evening, February 21 at 7:30pm to see all eight conductors sharing their talents!

02/12/2026

The International Conductors Guild extends its deepest condolences on the passing of Helmuth Rilling, one of the most influential choral conductors of our time.

The choral world has lost a giant whose vision, discipline, and spiritual depth transformed how we understand and perform sacred music. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues, and the many musical communities he touched throughout his remarkable life.