International Conducting Competition Rotterdam

This year's ICCR

In 2024, the ICCR is partnering up with Symphony.live in order to amplify its global reach and spotlight the next generation of conducting talent to the widest audience possible!

On our platform, you will not only access a live stream of the competition's most crucial moments - allowing you to experience the event in real time -, but also a comprehensive library of recorded performances, enabling you to experience the ICCR anywhere, anytime.

Following an online selection, 24 promising conductors will be playing at the semi-finals in Rotterdam, hailing from China, Spain, the United States of America, Ukraine, and many other countries. At the ICCR semi-finals, the jury will select six 'designated winners' who will receive a year-long career development programme - consisting of two academy weeks, workshops, coaching, and PR support. In 2025, they will compete in the ICCR finals.

Watch the semi-finalists announcement below:

First Edition

The first edition of ICCR drew applications from 165 conductors representing 50 countries worldwide. Following rigorous selection processes in 2021, six exceptional conductors emerged as finalists for the competition. Across five rounds encompassing diverse orchestras and themes, ranging from classical to contemporary, opera to large symphonic, these conductors demonstrated their remarkable talents.

Six outstanding laureates emerged from the inaugural competition, and their careers have witnessed significant strides, partly attributable to ICCR. Here is an update on their current endeavors:

Bertie Baigent

Bertie Baigent, the triumphant winner of the inaugural edition, currently serves as the assistant conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and holds the position of artistic director at the Waterperry Opera Festival.

Chloe Rooke
Chloe Rooke presently assumes the role of assistant conductor with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, providing support to Karina Canellakis.

Martijn Dendievel
Martijn Dendievel serves as the assistant conductor at the Flanders Symphony Orchestra and has been appointed as the chief conductor of the Hofer Symphoniker, set to commence in the 2024/2025 season.

Luis Toro Araya
Luis Toro Araya is currently the assistant conductor at the National Orchestra of Spain.

Joel Sandelson
Joel Sandelson made his debut in 2023 with Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano & Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra.

Carlos Ágreda
In the upcoming season, Carlos Ágreda will assume the role of Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Additionally, he is a nominee for the German Conducting Award, scheduled to take place in September 2023.

Find out more information on the ICCR website!