Siemens Conductors Scholarship for the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Nodoka Okisawa, Conducting Scholar 2020-2022
(Photo: Taira Nishimaki)

The Siemens Arts Program has been enabling scholarship to a conductor as part of the Karajan-Akademie’s training programme since September 2020. In addition to the regular two-year academy training, the student assists the chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Kirill Petrenko. Conducting their own portrait concert with the Karajan-Akademie Chamber Orchestra in the Chamber Music Hall of the Philharmonie Berlin is also part of the concept of the scholarship.

Conducting competition from 22 to 24 October 2021

In 2021, the recipient for the next scholarship was chosen in a competition for the first time. From 22 to 24 October 2021, the Karajan-Akademieheld a conducting competition, in which the candidates demonstrated their abilities, lasting several days in three selection rounds at the Philharmonie Berlin for the Siemens Conductors Scholarship.

Conducting Scholars Christian Blex and Oscar Jockel

Since 2022, Christian Blex and Oscar Jockel are conducting scholars in the Karaja-Akademie. As part of their “Siemens Conductors Scholarship”, both scholars assist Kirill Petrenko each for one year, assume pre-rehearsals for concerts of the Karajan-Akademie and assist their guest conductors, and conduct their own portrait concert at the Chamber Music Hall.

Christian Blex
Oscar Jockel

Siemens Arts Program

The Siemens Arts Program is active in the fields of music, visual arts and cultural education and sees itself as a creative platform for the company’s own arts and cultural projects. It creates innovative projects with outstanding individuals and institutions from the arts and culture scene. An important goal of the programme is to promote outstanding young talent worldwide. This is done through self-initiated young talent competitions, scholarships and networking young artists with established international cultural institutions (Bayerische Staatsoper, Carnegie Hall New York, Opéra National de Paris, Salzburg Festival, ARD International Music Competition).

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