“It is a golden opportunity - an excellent chance to work with a world-class orchestra and some leading conductors. There is no better opportunity for someone in my position”
Eduardo Portal, current selected young conductor for 2009/10

We are proud to be launching our search for a young conductor to work with OAE in the 2010/11 season. The scheme presents a fantastic opportunity for a young conductor to work with a closely knit period instrument orchestra, utilising the players, conductors of international standing and management as assets. The scheme was originally launched in 2008 and previous selected conductors have included Philipp von Steinaecker and Eduardo Portal. Following an audition day on 6th July, the young conductor will commence their involvement with the OAE in autumn 2010.

The scheme is very generously supported by OAE patrons Greg and Gail Melgaard and we are incredibly grateful for their financial support.

Applications to the 2010/11 scheme are now closed, and all successful applicants who will take part in the Audition day on 6th July have been notified.

For full information about the scheme, please download an information pack below.
Information Pack (Adobe PDF)
To download a poster, click here.

For further information please contact Ceri Jones, Projects Manager at or +44 20 7239 9376

Eduardo Portal

Eduardo Portal was selected from a large pool of applicants following an audition day in July 2009. Eduardo hails from Burgos in Northern Spain and is currently in his second year of a Junior Fellowship conducting position at the Royal Northern College of Music. For Eduardo’s full biography click here.

During the course of Eduardo’s year living with the OAE he will experience a wide range of OAE activities. He will have the opportunity to shadow and assist all three of OAE’s Principal Artists: Vladimir Jurowski, Iván Fischer and Sir Simon Rattle. He will also work with our Emeritus Conductors Sir Charles Mackerras and Sir Roger Norrington. He will attend rehearsals, concerts in London and also have the opportunity to tour with the orchestra to Paris, Valladolid and Baden-Baden.
On 25 May 2009 Eduardo will make his public debut with OAE when he conducts Beethoven Symphony No. 6 as part of OAE’s Night Shift series at Southbank’s QEH. Tickets go on sale soon and more information can be found here.

In addition to all these orchestral projects Eduardo will work with our young players on the OAE Experience scheme and take part in our vibrant education programme. He will also spend a week in the OAE office observing the behind the scenes operations.
Eduardo will also join the panel at the Insight club on 24 January when the conducting style of Beethoven will be debated. More information can be found here.

Eduardo’s first experience of working with OAE was with Sir Roger Norrington in August 2009 and he writes about the experience on the OAE blog.

Click here for the Evening Standard article featuring our new OAE Melgaard Young Conductor, Eduardo Portal.