Symphony Nova Scotia is proud to launch in its 40th season the Bernhard Gueller Conductor Fellowship in honour of the Symphony’s Music Director Laureate Bernhard Gueller.

We are pleased to announce that German-Canadian Conductor Serena Reuten has been named as the first Fellow to join Music Director Holly Mathieson, Music Director Bernhard Gueller, and Symphony Nova Scotia in November 2023. Learn more here.

General Description

The Fellowship, offered every two years, provides a Canadian conductor in the early stages of their career the opportunity to work with a professional orchestra. Learning to effectively communicate with the musicians and audience, as well as balance the Symphony’s many instruments, are key skills that can be achieved through mentorship and practice. Fellows will also engage with off-podium experiences that could include staff meetings, in-school visits, adult enrichment programs, community engagement, and/or patron benefit events.

In 2023/24, the selected candidate will work under the guidance and mentorship of Bernhard Gueller, Principal Guest Conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director of Symphony Nova Scotia from 2002 to 2018. The finalist may also be selected to conduct a Symphony Nova Scotia concert program in a future season.

Format

The selected candidate will participate in two, one-hour masterclasses with Music Director Laureate Bernhard Gueller and one, one-hour masterclass with Symphony Nova Scotia Music Director Holly Mathieson. The candidate will attend rehearsals on stage with the orchestra, followed by a 30-minute debrief with Maestro Gueller, and they will also attend the concert Bernhard Conducts Beethoven & Mahler on November 16, 2023.

Repertoire

• Richard Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
• Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”

Travel & Accommodations

Return air travel reimbursement of up to $1,000 CAD, five nights’ hotel accommodation, and five days’ per diem will be provided.

Symphony Personnel

• Bernhard Gueller, Music Director Laureate
• Holly Mathieson, Music Director
• Chris Wilkinson, CEO
• Eric Mathis, Director of Artistic Administration
• Beth Elliot, Production Manager

Eligibility

Canadian citizens and permanent residents, whose talents and vision comprise all aspects of concert preparation, presentation, and performance to a wide variety of audiences, are invited to apply.

Requirements

• Link(s) to an online video of a performance or rehearsal, conducted by you, of one or two contrasting works. Combined, the material provided should be no more than 10 minutes.
• A video consisting of a brief spoken introduction about yourself and the music you’ve shared.
• Your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Applications are now closed for the 2023 fellowship.

Submission 

BY EMAIL TO:
[email protected]
Subject line: Bernhard Gueller Conductor Fellowship

BY MAIL TO:
Symphony Nova Scotia
301-5657 Spring Garden Rd
Halifax, NS  B3J 3R4
Attention: Bernhard Gueller Conductor Fellowship