ULS Symphony Orchestra calls for an unprecedented free Orchestral Conducting course in the Coquimbo Region

July orchestra

Its objective is to train students in the technique of orchestral conducting, providing methodologies and tools to be used in their respective instrumental groups.

The Symphony Orchestra of the University of La Serena, in its permanent work of outreach and training of new talents, will offer a free workshop to students and orchestra conductors taught by the North American maestro David Händel.

This training is aimed at directors of youth and children's orchestras and bands, professional orchestras, instrumental ensembles, students of orchestral conducting and students/graduates of musical careers and aims to train students in the technique of orchestral conducting, providing methodologies and tools to be used in their respective instrumental groups.

Those who wish to participate in this interesting training and specialization event must access the official OSULS website: www.sinfonicalaserena.cl, completing the application form. A space is considered available for 20 active participating students; However, the workshops are open to the listening public, respecting room capacity.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 6, therefore it is recommended to read the rules carefully and comply with the established dates. The results will be communicated internally exclusively to selected applicants (active and listeners) no later than Friday, August 8. The workshop will take place between Monday, August 11 and Thursday, August 14, 2014.

Selected students who complete 100% attendance and workshop requirements will receive an official certificate from the Universidad de La Serena Symphony Orchestra. 

About the manager

The dynamic American conductor David Händel has developed an extraordinary reputation as an innovator on the American orchestral scene and has been called “…one of the brightest young conductors working today…dominant and determined…”. As Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia, his creative programming and outreach to the community reached record audiences at concerts.

His achievements with the Bolivian National Symphony Orchestra have attracted the attention of the international press as a model of institutional development and community leadership (Sonus Magazine, EEUU, CNN, ECO-México and IDB América, the Magazine of the Inter-American Development Bank, Michigan Today) and has recently been the focus of articles in the Washington Post and National Public Radio (USA). As a result of his achievements in Latin America, David Händel is one of the few North American conductors invited in recent years to conduct an orchestra in the Republic of Cuba.

Having been assistant conductor to Kurt Masur, he has conducted orchestras around the world, including a showcase of young conducting talent with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. He has represented the United States in Latin America and Central Asia as a recipient of awards from the United States Information Agency and as a Cultural Ambassador, through the State Department's Cultural Specialist Program. He has twice been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Program and honored with numerous honors, including two Rackham Awards, the Marguerite Lapp Scholarship for “Outstanding Musical Talent,” two awards from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Illinois Arts Council, and in Bolivia with the Illimani decoration and the Pedro Domínguez Murillo medal for his outstanding service to the community in the artistic field. He is one of the few directors awarded a scholarship as assistant director by the Gewandhaus in Leipzig (Germany).

In early 2011, David Handel returned to conduct the Koszalin Philharmonic Orchestra, Poland, and the Russian Philharmonic at Svetlanov Hall in Moscow, where he has recently been named Principal Guest Conductor. 

His upcoming engagements include performances in San Juan (Argentina), La Serena (Chile), Mexico, Brazil, USA and again with the Moscow Russian Philharmonic.