Alternative text: LEAD! podcast, episode 1: conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste
The idea of establishing a LEAD! foundation came from many different directions and the general feeling was that it would be really good to have an organisation helping the young musicians to find their ways into the career that they are about to enter, We were talking about what could our contribution be for the young musicians and then many other people gave kind of ideas and their feelings about what the younger generation of musicians really need, They need support, but they also need this kind of leading to the professions in music and musical mentoring, but also ideas about how to develop their careers.
And at the beginning we were mainly thinking that we have to give some orchestral experience to orchestra musicians, to concertmasters and sectional leaders, that they can contribute their knowledge and their expertise to their sections. This got bigger and bigger and then we realised that it’s also very important to engage and help young young conductors to know more about the world of music that they are about to enter.
I’m very excited about this idea to combine three different musical cultures and conservatories and do a project together with the young musicians from all of these countries. Music is a very international language and people in their future careers are surely entering all orchestras, not only in their home countries, but also elsewhere. So I think this is a good opportunity to make them aware what’s available and also mentoring them as a group of musicians together.
And I’m really excited about this the structure of this project because they are helped by the mentors and elderly colleagues and then they have this very challenging symphonic programme together. Well, of course I expect great concerts, and that’s of course the main purpose, but also their ability to establish connections to their colleagues, to their mentors, and also this kind of career career advice possibility that they are getting.
Well in LEAD! we are very much wanting to give this kind of holistic experience for the young musicians and of course, training them musically, but also explaining them the choices that they might have in their future careers. Of course, musical themes, the styles of different music that we are performing – very kind of specific how to play, what kind of sound to give, but also giving this kind of help in understanding today’s musical world and the challenges how to manage in auditions, how to get into contact with with agencies what is important to know before you do this and that.
This will become possible during this period, because we have professionals from all the fields of music, including the administrational people and also the the orchestra mentors that have incredible backgrounds playing in famous orchestras. And young conductors having the opportunity to ask questions from these experienced musicians. Usually we have collaborated with one Conservatory or orchestra at a time. So this to combine, these three conservatories is a new experience for all of us. I’m very excited!