The Len van Zyl Conductors’ Competition is run in conjunction with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as an initiative to support and develop classical music talent in South Africa.  A financial trust has been created by Mr Len van Zyl for this purpose, who believes that a vital part of keeping classical music alive and well concerns the development of young talent.

“Good work with good results is being done in the fields of vocal and instrumental training, but very little has been done in the area of orchestral direction. No South African orchestra has its own full-time permanent conductor and there is almost a complete absence of any training in this field,” said Mr Van Zyl when the competition was announced.

The competition has also met with the support of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.


Who may participate?

The competition is open to South African nationals under the age of 33.

When?

The competition will take place every 2 years and preceded by preparatory master classes lead by world-famous visiting conductors. The finals of the first competition will take place during November 2009 and will form part of the Cape Town International Summer Music Festival. 

What is the prize?

Participants will compete for a single prize: a trip to the United States with a month’s "internship" with the Philadelphia Orchestra (under the directorship of Charles Dutoit) and another month in Chicago with Victor Yampolsky and the Northwestern Orchestra. 

How will the competition be adjudicated?

The adjudicators for the prize will consist of a panel of leading local conductors and musicians.  The panel for the first competition will be announced soon.

How and when do I apply to enter?

An entry form and more details about the rules of the competition will be published on this website soon.

Quotes

Len van Zyl: "Classical music is a very important pillar in the cultural life of any civilised community. It is alive in South Africa but certainly needs all the support it can muster in order to ensure its continued success and growth.”

Louis Heyneman, CEO of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra:
“We are particularly glad that the competition is being supported enthusiastically by the other two professional orchestras in the country – the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.”

 “At the CPO’s Education and Development programme, we have had the privilege of an internationally renowned conductor and pedagogue such as Maestro Victor Yampolsky working with the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and to give master classes to some of the young conductors.  This kind of involvement makes a huge, positive difference.”

Richard Cock (conductor): "I won a SAMRO prize for conducting in the early 1980s and it was a huge inspiration to me - it really got me hooked on conducting.  My hope is that young conductors will feel that here is the opportunity they have been waiting for to show what they can do." 

Professor Peter Klatzow  (College of Music,  UCT)  “It is very important for young musicians to get public exposure at the beginning of their careers. This competition will provide just such an opportunity.”

Owain Arwel Hughes (Principal Guest Conductor of the CPO and Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra): “This competition will be unique in the sense that “an element of coaching and development through the planned master classes that will form an inherent part of the process. This will be an excellent opportunity for development at the early stages of conductors’ careers.”

Who is Len van Zyl?

Len van Zyl had a successful international career in the fields of advertising and marketing. He has also had a passionate interest in music throughout his life.

His career in advertising and marketing included among others the chairmanship of South Africa's biggest advertising agency (Lindsay Smithers-FCB) and President/CEO of Foote Cone & Belding, the largest advertising agency in Philadelphia, USA. From 1992 to 1995, Mr Van Zyl was also chief executive of the South African Foreign Trade Organization (SAFTO). Van Zyl and his wife now split their residence between Cape Town and Philadelphia, USA. During his years in the United States he served on the development committee of the famous Philadelphia Orchestra and was also a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild.