The Donatella Flick Conducting Competition created by Donatella Flick in 1990 aims to help a young conductor establish an international conducting career. In 1996 a unique partnership with the LSO was forged and the winner of the competition is offered, in addition to an award of £15,000, the opportunity to become Assistant Conductor of the LSO for up to one year following the competition. During this period he or she will work with the LSO’s principal and guest conductors on the preparation of concerts and may be asked to help with the assessment of new scores, take part in the LSO’s education programme, accompany the orchestra on tour and, should the opportunity arise, to conduct the LSO in concert.
The next competition will take place in London in Autumn 2012, and will be open to conductors between the ages of 18 and 35 who are citizens of the 27 countries having full membership of the European Union.
HRH The Duke of Kent with Mrs Donatella Flick and the 2010 finalists. Left. Ken-David Masur. Centre, Clemens Schuldt. Right, Kristiina Poska.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The achievements of Donatella Flick and the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition are numerous. They were recognised by the jury of the Pro-European Foundation for Culture when she received the European Project Award for Music in Copenhagen in September 2000 and, in 2002, the Wilhelm Furtwängler Prize for her continuing encouragement of young conductors in this competition. In October 2006 Donatella Flick was awarded the Commendatore al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, presented by Carlo Ciampi and in June 2007, she received the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, which was established in 1992 to honour and support patrons of the arts who have given exceptional time and energy to artists and their work. In April 2011 Donatella Flick became a member of the Olave Baden-Powell Society in recognition for her major support of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.