LICCC 2018, the inaugural edition of the London International Choral Conducting Competition held at the Royal Academy of Music, was won by Julia Selina Blank of Germany.
Julia, 29, wins £5,000 and the LICCC trophy. "For me the spirit in this competition felt very special" she said. "The contestants were colleagues and everyone met to celebrate a weekend of great choral music. I am happy to have had the chance to experience this and highly recommend it for all the young choral conductors out there." The second prize was won by Jack Apperley (UK). The other finalists included Pascal Adoumbou (France), Maria Avdeyeva (Russia), Rebecka Gustafsson (Sweden) and Jono Palmer (New Zealand).
A distinguished international jury, chaired by Professor Ragnar Rasmussen of Norway, adjudicated performances by LICCC's winners and finalists. A highlight of the Grand Final was the world premiere performance of The Cries of Music by award-winning British composer and abcd member Janet Wheeler, with words specially written by Euan Tait.
The event, which will next run in 2020, is open to choral conductors between the ages of 18 and 32 and is hosted by two London chamber choirs, Coro and Chantage, who were this year joined by distinguished Finnish ensemble cc FREIA under their conductor, the composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi.
The focus of the weekend being emerging choral talent, there were also masterclasses and workshops directed by leading choral conducting tutors, and a Gala Concert by the three participant choirs.
Posted: Tue 27th November 2018