Jamie Phillips Announced as Hallé’s Assistant Conductor

Young conductor Jamie Phillips has yet more reason to celebrate as he takes up the role as the Hallé’s Assistant Conductor just weeks after he was signed by Intermusica for worldwide general management.

Jamie, who is in his third year studying trumpet on the GRNCM course with the University of Manchester, attracted considerable attention as the youngest competitor to reach the semi-finals of the 2011 Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors, and as a finalist in the Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award where he conducted the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra and pianist Ingolf Wunder.

He will take up the position at the start of the Hallé’s new season in September, replacing RNCM alumnus Andrew Gourlay, whose hugely successful tenure in the position ends with a Hallé Youth Orchestra’s tour to Prague later that month. Andrew will continue his association with the Hallé with concerts next season.

As Assistant Conductor, Jamie will work with Music Director Sir Mark Elder, conduct the Hallé in Manchester and around the country, and act as Music Director and conductor of the Hallé Youth Orchestra.

Speaking about Jamie Phillips’s appointment, John Summers, Hallé Chief Executive said: ‘We are delighted about Jamie’s appointment as Assistant Conductor. He was the unanimous choice of the selection panel from an extremely talented field. Jamie follows a number of outstanding conductors who have held this role, from Edward Gardner in 2002 through to Andrew Gourlay.’

Sir Mark Elder added: ‘We are all very thrilled to welcome Jamie into the Hallé family, and look forward to working with him closely over the coming years.’

The position of Assistant Conductor of the Hallé is very generously support by the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund.

10 June 2012