국립심포니오케스트라(KOREAN NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA)

KNSO International Conducting Competition (hereby, "KNSO ICC") is the only international conducting competition in Republic of Korea and will hold its 2nd competition in 2024 with the aims of discovering, supporting and nurturing young talented conductors around the world. The KNSO ICC is held once every three years for participants 23 to 35 years of age from any nationality and provides a platform for new talents to stand on various stages and perfect their artistic practice with leading professionals. The prize winners will be given a cash prize of over KRW 90,000,000 along with the opportunities to conduct at leading orchestras.

• Application
  until 31st May (Fri) 2024 at 24:00 (KST)
• Announcement of Candidates
  22nd July (Mon) 2024 (TBA)
• Registration of Candidates
  until 31st August (Sat) 2024 (TBA)
• Onsite Registration & Orientation
  5th November (Tue) 2024
  N Studio, Seoul Arts Center
• First Round
  6th November (Wed) 2024
  N Studio, Seoul Arts Center
• Second Round
  8th November (Fri) 2024
  Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
• Final & Awards Ceremony
  10th November (Sun) 2024
  Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center

• David Reiland (Belgium) *Chairman
• Chi-Yong Chung (Republic of Korea)
• Collin Metters (UK)
• Curtis Stewart (USA)
• Kristian Järvi (Estonia)
• Michael Becker (Germany)
• Michelle Kim (USA)
• Nicolás Pasquet (Uruguay)
• Sian Edwards (UK)

*Listed in alphabetical order

• A. The competition is open to conductors of all nationalities 23 to 35 years of age. Therefore, applicants must be born after 1st January 1989 and before 1st March 2001.
• B. The official languages of the competition are Korean and English. All candidates are required to have basic English speaking and understanding skills.

Candidates who have been selected to participate in the First Round are required to submit a non-refundable registration fee of KRW 300,000 by 31st August (Sat) 2024 under the name of the candidate and is not refundable. The fee can be paid by international bank transfer to the following account. Registration is only valid when the registration fee is paid. The participation of the competition will be confirmed once the registration fee is paid, and will be regarded as a formal agreement between the candidates and KNSO ICC secretariat. Remittance fee will be paid by candidates.

• Bank nameWoori Bank
• Bank addressWoori bank, Seocho - Nam branch 22 Banpodaero, Seoul, Korea
• Account number414-309694-13-002
• Swift codeHVBKKRSEXXX
• Account nameKorean Symphony

Prize
Over KRW 90,000,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to honorees.

• · First PrizeKRW 50,000,000
• · Second PrizeKRW 30,000,000
• · Third PrizeKRW 10,000,000

  SeAH Woon Hyung Lee Foundation Prize

• · Special PrizeKRW 4,000,000

Taxes will be deducted from prize money in accordance with Korean tax laws.

Benefits

Opportunities to conduct concerts including Seoul Arts Center, Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra, Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, etc. will be offered.

To be selected from among the awardees

Applications must be filled either in Korean or English, and submitted online by 31st May (Fri) 2024 at 24:00 (KST).

How to Apply

• Applications can be submitted through the link below.
  • Apply

Each application must contain

• A high-quality profile photograph which has been taken within the last 1 year (A photograph should be copyright free.)
• A copy of the applicant’s passport or ID card (in JPG or PDF format)
• Certificates or transcripts of awards or work records (in JPG or PDF format)
• A recommendation letter by the current or recent teacher of applicants (in JPG or PDF format)
• Brief Self-Introduction video (at least 1 minute / filmed in landscape orientation)
• Videos : Performance videos (i.e. recordings of a rehearsal or concert) must contain orchestral / ensemble works(max. 3 pieces).

• Ensemble work should be performed by at least 12 musicians.
• Videos should not be edited.
• Videos should not be older than 3 years.
• Each video should contain one composition or movement at least 5 minutes in length.
• Video should show the applicants conducting an orchestra / ensemble from the front.
• Video and audio should be high-quality.
• Links to YouTube and Vimeo will be only accepted.
• The applicant must provide the recorded date, place and program of repertoire for each video.

• DVD, USB or memory card etc. that has been submitted by mail/courier or in-person is not accepted as competition entries.
• If necessary, additional information may be requested.
• If applicants do not receive a confirmation of their subscription within 14 days after the application deadline, please contact the KNSO ICC secretariat. (conductor@knso.or.kr)

First Round

Candidates are to prepare all prescribed works. The repertoire and sequence of competition will be decided by drawing lots.

• L. v. Beethoven Symphony No. 4, Op. 60 (1st mvt) 12′

  edition : Barenreiter

• C. Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune 12′

  edition : Kalmus

Second Round

Candidates are to prepare all prescribed works and conduct all prescribed works. The sequence of competition will be decided by drawing lots.

• L. v. Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37 (2nd and 3rd mvt) 20′

  edition : Barenreiter

• Younghi Pagh-Paan, Warum weinst Du 7′

  Score will be provided by secretariat

Final

Finalists are to prepare all prescribed works. The repertoire and sequence of competition will be decided by drawing lots, shortly after the announcement of the finalists. (Each Participant will play one repertoire among a, b, c by drawing lots.)

• a
  • J. Brahms Symphony No. 1, Op. 68 (1st mvt) 14′

    edition : Breitkopf

  • C. Debussy La mer (3rd mvt) 9′

    edition : Breitkopf

  • S. Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances Op. 45 (2nd mvt) 10′

    edition : Charles Foley

• b
  • J. Brahms Symphony No. 3, Op. 90 (1st mvt) 14′

    edition : Breitkopf

  • C. Debussy La mer (2nd mvt) 10′

    edition : Breitkopf

  • S. Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (1st mvt) 12′

    edition : Charles Foley

• c
  • J. Brahms Symphony No. 4, Op. 98 (1st mvt) 14′

    edition : Breitkopf

  • C. Debussy La mer (1st mvt) 10′

    edition : Breitkopf

  • S. Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (3rd mvt) 14′

    edition : Charles Foley

The competition consists of three rounds : the First Round, Second Round and Final. Candidates in the First and Second Rounds rehearse with the orchestra for a specified time, and are expected to complete the repertoire within the given time frame.

First Round (max. 20 min.)

• A maximum of 12 candidates will be accepted to perform in the First Round.
• Candidates will need to complete the onsite registration on 5th November (Tue) 2024, where the sequence of competition will be decided by drawing lots. Deviation from the determined order will not be permitted.

Second Round (max. 35 min.)

• A maximum of 6 candidates will be accepted to perform in the Second Round.
• The sequence of competition will be decided by drawing lots.

Final

• A total of 3 candidates will advance to the Final.
• The repertoire and the sequence of competition will be determined by drawing lots, shortly after the announcement of the finalists. Deviation from the determined repertoire will not be permitted, yet the determined order can be changed in consideration of the program and orchestration.
• The Final will be held in the form of a concert.
• The finalists will be able to have two rehearsals with the orchestra.
  • 1) 80 minutes rehearsal on the day before the Final (at N Studio, Seoul Arts Center) * with presence of jury
  • 2) 40 minutes of on-stage rehearsal before the Final (at Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center) *without jury

• A.
  The KNSO ICC secretariat will provide designated accommodation for candidates during the competition from 4th November (Mon) 2024.

  • Candidates for the First Round : Accommodation is provided until the morning after the end of the First Round.
  • Candidates for the Second Round : Accommodation is provided until the morning after the end of the Second Round.
  • Candidates for the Final : Accommodation is provided until the morning after the end of the Final.
  • Exception : Accommodation is not provided for residents in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in the Republic of Korea.
• B.
  The KNSO ICC secretariat will provide airfare for overseas candidates:

  • Overseas candidates from Asia : Max. KRW 800,000
  • Overseas candidates from outside of Asia: Max. KRW 1,500,000
  • Submission of payment proof such as electronic tickets and receipts is required.

• A. The jury guarantees justification and impartiality during the competition.
• B. All decisions made by the jury are final and cannot be appealed.
• c. Any juror having taught a candidate for more than three months during the past two years(2022-Present) must declare such teaching relationship and will abstain from judging the candidate.

• A.
  Obtaining travel documents, visa and insurance is the responsibility of each candidate.

  Foreign candidates requiring a visa in order to enter the Republic of Korea will be provided with the necessary documents.

• B. The KNSO ICC has no liability of any loss or damage to a candidate’s belongings and personal illness or injury of the candidate.

• A. All copyrights on photographs, broadcasts including internet livestreaming, records or reproduced by television, internet or any other audio-visual devices shall be owned by KNSO ICC.
• B. By submitting the application form, applicants state their agreement on all conditions and rules.
• C. All rounds can be open to the public.
• D. The KNSO ICC reserves the right to terminate a candidate accused of moral wrongdoing, inappropriate or illegal behavior that interferes with the smooth progress of the competition.

• A. In the event of total cancellation of the competition before the First Round, the registration fee will be fully refunded without the candidate’s request.
• B. If a candidate does not appear at the designated time for the competition, his/her participation will be terminated immediately.

Should any dispute arise regarding the interpretation of any part of the Rules and Regulations of KNSO ICC, the Rules and Regulations in Korean as well as related laws and codes of the Republic of Korea will be the only legal basis. All decisions made by the competition office and the jury are final.