The Solti Foundation U.S. was established in 2000 in order to honor the memory of Sir Georg Solti by lending significant support to career-ready young American musicians.
In 2004, the Foundation concentrated the focus of its award program to exclusively assist talented young American conductors early in their professional careers. Winners have been awarded substantial grants and have received door-opening introductions to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
In the words of Lady Solti, “We are committed to realizing Solti’s passion for excellence in music by extending assistance to further the early careers of those with exceptional talent.”
The Solti Foundation U.S. is the foremost organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to helping young conductors.
The 2025 Solti Conducting Fellow Application will open on November 15, 2024.
Application deadline: January 15, 2025
Anyone who has previously received a career assistance award, but not received the Solti Conducting Fellow, is still eligible to apply, so long as they meet the other requirements.
The Solti Conducting Fellow: The Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award
- The Solti Fellow receives a grant of $30,000, payable over 2 years.
- Applicants should not be older than 36 years of age as of the January 15, 2025 submission deadline.
Solti U.S. Career Assistance Awards
- Additional finalist candidates may be considered for career development assistance.
- This may include: transportation expenses; financial support for language studies; creation of demonstration DVDs; or other worthy projects.
- The Artistic and Awards Committee will determine how many of these awards will be given as well as the amount of financial aid.
- Awardees will be notified by the committee and may be asked to supply additional information. Unsolicited applications will not be accepted.
The Solti Foundation reserves the right to withhold an award if no suitable candidate is found.
Application Requirements
The following should be included with the application:
- Curriculum Vitae, including any/all post-secondary musical education; awards, grants and recognition; and professional engagements, past and future.
- Two (recent, within the past year) typed references from professional musicians or teachers, one of whom must be a coach or conductor in a major American musical venue (Only one new reference is required if you’ve previously received a Career Assistance Award).
- A recent digital photograph (high-resolution).
- A recording of rehearsal or live performance conducting, approximately 30 minutes in length. Rehearsal footage should include conductor’s verbal responses.
- A typed proposal describing use of The Solti Foundation U.S. funds toward development as a conductor. Please use bullet points and do not duplicate material from the curriculum vitae.
- A photocopy of your current U.S. passport or document showing permanent resident status in the U.S.
Recording Requirements
- Please ensure that the camera is focused closely on you (front view only). It is important that the committee be able to see and hear you clearly.
- Please provide details of all repertoire featured in the recording.
Criteria for Application
Applicants must be:
- A career-ready artist in the field of conducting.
- Developing a career as a symphonic/operatic conductor.
- A citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- No more than 36 years of age as of the submission deadline.
The award will be based on the following:
- Professional experience in the field of conducting.
- Demonstration of advanced conducting technique.
- A typed proposal for use of the funds (see Application Requirements).
Additional Information
- Applications will be reviewed by a panel of professionals with broad musical and conducting experience.
- Recipients are required to submit regular reports to the Foundation and may be asked to appear at a Foundation event.
- The Foundation reserves the right to request additional information considered necessary to evaluate applications, including additional personal references, current financial circumstances and evidence of stated qualifications.
- The Artistic and Awards Committee reserves the right not to award the grant in a given year.
- Although no appeals will be entertained, unsuccessful applicants may resubmit in the next applicable year.
- Grants may only be used for expenses incurred after the award is made.
Awardee Expectations
- Provide a W9 for payment and tax-reporting.
- List Solti Foundation awards on personal websites, vitae, and professional bios.
- Furnish the foundation with periodic reports on use of grant funds.
- Keep the foundation apprised of recent career developments.
- Assist with the foundation’s publicity efforts.
- Appear at foundation benefits, as schedules permit.