Euan Shields Wins Siemens-Halle International Conducting Competition
By Logan MartellEuan Shield has been named as the winner of the Siemens-Halle International Conducting Competition.
From a pool of 200, candidates, Shields has emerged victorious and will receive a two-year engagement as Assistant Conductor to Sir Mark Elder at the Halle Orchestra, a position as director of the Halle Youth Orchestra, and a number of guest appearances with other orchestras. The finals saw the three winners conduct a program of Sibelius, Mozart, Elgar, and Stravinsky, with Second Prize going to Agata Zajac, and Third Prize to Pablo Urbina.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Shields spent his childhood between America and Japan. He recently received his master’s degree from the Juilliard School, where he studied under David Robertson. He has worked with the Juilliard Lab Orchestra, their AXIOM Ensemble, the Halle Orchestra, and the South Denmark Philharmonic. Shields has served as assistant conductor to John Adams, Xian Zhang, Jeffrey Milarsky, and Jonathon Heyward.
“It was a wonderful experience to participate in this competition, and I am honored to receive the opportunity to work with Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra in the future,” said Shields in a press release. “Over the three days of intense music making, I was able to bond with and learn from so many fantastic musicians from the Hallé Orchestra and Hallé Youth Orchestra, as well as the seven other candidates from across the globe.
“I’m very grateful to Siemens and the Hallé Orchestra for creating such a supportive atmosphere which empowered every candidate to be able to fully express themselves personally and musically.”
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