The Hallé Orchestra announces the appointment of 24-year-old, Japan-born American conductor Euan Shields as Assistant Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra and Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra in Manchester, England.
To receive this appointment Shields was chosen as the winner of the Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition in March 2023. More than 200 conductors from six continents had applied to take part, and eight semi-finalists were selected for the competition days. The first prize of the Conductors Competition consists of a two-year engagement as Assistant Conductor to Sir Mark Elder, Music Director of the Hallé. In addition, Shields will take over the directorship of the Hallé Youth Orchestra and will receive the opportunity to become established on the world stage through numerous guest conducting appearances. Shields will take up his new position with the Hallé in September 2023.
Euan Shields said: “It’s been a very intense few days of lots of music-making and all of this is still resonating in my head. I’m so excited to get to know the entire family of the Hallé Orchestra and to learn as much as possible from the musicians of the Hallé and I’m also very excited to take the Hallé Youth Orchestra on a really exciting musical journey over the course of two years. It was a wonderful experience to participate in this competition, and I am honored to receive the opportunity to work as Assistant Conductor with Sir Mark Elder, the Hallé Orchestra, and the Hallé Youth Orchestra. I’m very grateful to Siemens and the Hallé Orchestra for creating such a supportive atmosphere that empowered every candidate to be able to fully express themselves personally and musically.”
Sir Mark Elder said: “It has been an enthralling three days and a privilege to observe such wonderful talent. Choosing the winner was very difficult, but I am delighted to welcome Euan Shields as the new Assistant Conductor of the Hallé, and look forward to working with him.”
Press Coverage:
The Guardian, BBC Music Magazine, Hallé, Siemens, Yorkshire Times, Bachtrack, UCLA Music School, OperaWire, The Violin Channel
