Premio Frederick Fennell

12/09/2025

💥The world of wind orchestra conducting returns to Modica!

On November 14, the historic Teatro Garibaldi will host the preliminary round of the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition.

Talented young conductors from all over the world will gather in Sicily to compete in one of the world’s most prestigious events dedicated to wind orchestra conducting.

👉 More than a competition, it’s a unique moment of exchange, growth, and cultural dialogue, celebrating music as a universal language.

👉 An event that places Modica at the heart of the international music scene, honoring the legacy of Frederick Fennell, the legendary conductor who elevated the wind ensemble to the highest artistic level.

🎶 Passion, energy, and outstanding music await you in the heart of baroque Modica.

Regione Siciliana Istituto d'Istruzione Superiore Statale "Giovanni V***a" Modica Fondazione Teatro Garibaldi Mulph Publishing House PaGu Batons

01/09/2025

The World Takes the Podium at the Frederick Fennell Competition ‼️

This edition of the Frederick Fennell Competition reaffirms itself as an international benchmark for the art of conducting. Conductors from around the globe have gathered for this extraordinary event, bringing with them diverse experiences, sensibilities, and musical traditions — all united by a single passion: transforming music into living emotion.

The competition is more than a contest: it is a place of encounter and cultural exchange, where the future leaders of the orchestra world take shape.

➡️ The names of the conductors admitted to the next phase of the competition will be announced soon — a highly anticipated milestone in this journey of excellence and discovery!

STAY TUNED

Fondazione Teatro Garibaldi Istituto d'Istruzione Superiore Statale "Giovanni V***a" Modica Mulph Publishing House PaGu Batons

30/08/2025

✨ From the competition podium to the stage of the great orchestras! ✨

The Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition confirms itself not only as a prestigious showcase, but as a true springboard for the conductors of tomorrow.
Thanks to a new and important agreement, three of the most renowned Italian wind orchestras – the Valtellina Wind Orchestra, the Brixiæ Harmoniæ Wind Orchestra, and the Gustav Holst Wind Symphony – will open their concert seasons to the winners and prizewinners of the competition, offering them the chance to step onto the podium as guest conductors.
A concrete and extraordinary opportunity, turning recognition into experience and talent into a career.
Conducting these outstanding ensembles means engaging with top-level musicians and experiencing the thrill of sharing one’s musical vision with a passionate and knowledgeable audience.

Dedicated to Frederick Fennell, the legendary wind orchestra conductor, the competition continues to honor his legacy: not only by rewarding merit, but by building a real pathway for the growth of young conductors, in the name of music and innovation.

⏳ Attention: today is THE LAST day to submit your application!
Don’t miss the chance to turn your dream into reality.

👉 Apply now and live the experience that can change your career.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

29/08/2025

Meet the Jury of the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition‼️

At the head of the Jury stands M° Lorenzo Della Fonte, one of Italy’s most distinguished conductors, musicologists, and educators. A multifaceted musician, he has developed a remarkable career that combines artistic leadership, academic research, and a profound commitment to music education.

As a conductor, M° Della Fonte has led prestigious orchestras and wind ensembles, both in Italy and abroad, earning recognition for his refined musicianship, stylistic awareness, and ability to bring out the expressive potential of every ensemble. His repertoire spans from the classics to contemporary works, with a particular dedication to the promotion of new music and the enhancement of the symphonic wind literature.

Alongside his conducting activity, he has contributed significantly to the Italian and international musical landscape as a scholar and writer, authoring numerous publications and essays that testify to his deep knowledge of music history and aesthetics. His role as an educator, with decades of teaching experience in Italian conservatories, has shaped generations of musicians and conductors, consolidating his reputation as a leading figure in the field.

With his presence as President of the Jury, M° Lorenzo Della Fonte brings to the “Frederick Fennell” Competition not only his vast artistic and academic expertise, but also the authority of a conductor whose career exemplifies excellence, commitment, and passion for music.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

ATTENTION‼️Just TWO days remaining before the registration deadline closes, don’t miss your chance to apply!

What are you waiting for??
Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

28/08/2025

Meet the Jury of the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition‼️

The third member of the Jury is M° Andrea Gasperin, an Italian conductor who has established himself as one of the most versatile and refined interpreters of his generation.
After completing his studies in orchestral conducting and deepening his expertise in contemporary repertoire, M° Gasperin has built a career that combines symphonic music, opera, and wind orchestra performance.
His artistic path has taken him across Europe, where he has conducted both professional and academic ensembles, always praised for the clarity of his gesture and the depth of his musical insight. In recent years, he has been particularly active in Spain, where he serves as conductor of prestigious wind ensembles and orchestras, contributing to the growth of the symphonic band movement and to the promotion of contemporary repertoire.
Alongside his activity as a conductor, M° Gasperin is also engaged in music education, frequently invited to lead workshops, masterclasses, and seminars for young conductors and musicians. His ability to bridge tradition and innovation makes him a highly respected figure in today’s musical landscape.
By serving on the Jury of the Competition, M° Andrea Gasperin brings with him not only his artistic experience and international perspective, but also his strong commitment to supporting and guiding the next generation of conductors.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

ATTENTION‼️Just THREE days remaining before the registration deadline closes, don’t miss your chance to apply!

What are you waiting for??

Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

26/08/2025

Meet the Jury of the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition‼️

The second member of the Jury is Dr. Jack Stamp, one of the most respected figures in the field of wind band conducting and composition in the United States. Internationally recognized both as a conductor and a composer, Dr. Stamp has dedicated his career to advancing the repertoire and performance practice of wind ensembles worldwide.

He has conducted and guest-directed numerous ensembles across the United States and abroad, and his works as a composer are performed extensively, contributing significantly to the contemporary wind band repertoire. Alongside his activity as a conductor and composer, Dr. Stamp has established himself as an outstanding educator. He has served as professor of music and director of bands in several leading American universities, shaping generations of musicians and conductors through his teaching and mentorship.

His dual role as an active artist and committed pedagogue makes him a unique figure in the international musical landscape.
With his participation in the Jury of this edition of the competition, Dr. Jack Stamp brings not only his extensive experience and knowledge, but also his unwavering passion for the growth and success of young conductors.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

ATTENTION‼️The registration deadline is fast approaching, don’t miss your chance to apply!

What are you waiting for??
Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

24/08/2025

Meet the Jury of the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition‼️

The prestige of an international competition lies not only in the excellence of its participants, but also in the authority and stature of the Jury entrusted with evaluating them.
For this reason, the Competition has brought together distinguished figures from the global music scene: artists, pedagogues, and interpreters of the highest caliber, capable of ensuring a fair, objective, and expert evaluation, while at the same time serving as an inspiring model for the new generation of conductors.

The first member of the Jury is M° Miguel Etchegoncelay, an internationally renowned Argentine conductor, trained between Argentina and Europe, and today recognized as one of the most significant figures in the fields of orchestral conducting and music pedagogy.
His career has led him to collaborate with symphony orchestras and wind ensembles across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, always distinguished by a conducting style that blends technical precision with profound musical expression.
He is regularly invited as guest conductor, lecturer, and teacher of masterclasses at international festivals and conferences, combining his artistic achievements with a strong commitment to the dissemination of musical culture. His dedication to education has made him a respected authority in the training of young conductors.
He has held important academic positions in leading institutions and has mentored numerous musicians who are now active worldwide.
Maestro Etchegoncelay’s international recognition has been further confirmed by his election as President of WASBE (World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles), the most important global organization dedicated to wind ensembles.
In this role, he has made a decisive contribution to the development and promotion of symphonic band repertoire, encouraging intercultural dialogue and supporting the emergence of new generations of conductors and composers.

By joining the Jury of the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition, M° Miguel Etchegoncelay brings with him a wealth of experience, authority, and artistic sensitivity, providing invaluable guidance and inspiration to all participants.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

ATTENTION‼️The registration deadline is fast approaching, don’t miss your chance to apply!

What are you waiting for??
Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

21/08/2025

The Music of the FINAL Round 🎶

The Final round of the Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition marks the culmination of the event, where the candidates, after an intense selection process, will face the most demanding and significant scores of the repertoire.

The works chosen for this decisive stage are not only a test of conducting technique, but above all a measure of artistic maturity, interpretative depth, and communicative strength.
Their performance becomes the synthesis of study, musical vision, and personal talent—qualities essential to win the prestigious Frederick Fennell Trophy.

Dedicated to one of the most charismatic figures in 20th-century orchestral and wind conducting, the competition confirms its international scope and its commitment to supporting the next generation of conductors.

At the previous edition, the Trophy was awarded to Maestro LIANG Songwei (China), whose success is a testament to the high level and global spirit of the event.

This year as well, through the study and interpretation of the final scores, the audience will witness an extraordinary moment of musical challenge and discover who will be the new winner called to carry forward the legacy of Maestro Fennell.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

ATTENTION‼️Final call! Just 10 days remain to join the Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition

What are you waiting for??

Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

17/08/2025

The Music of the Semifinal Round‼️

The repertoire chosen for the semifinal round of the Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition represents a decisive challenge for the candidates.

The selected works span different eras, styles, and musical languages, designed to highlight the essential qualities of a conductor: clarity of gesture, listening skills, balance of sound, and depth of interpretation.

Each score requires not only technical mastery and analytical precision, but also artistic sensitivity and a clear musical vision—qualities that transform the written page into a living experience capable of engaging both musicians and audience.

The choice of repertoire also pays tribute to the richness of the orchestral and wind ensemble tradition, honoring the legacy of Frederick Fennell, a maestro who combined rigor and passion, tradition and innovation.

Thus, the semifinalists are called to face musical challenges of great breadth, revealing their personal artistic voice while offering the audience a vivid and diverse journey through music.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

Registrations are still open‼️

What are you waiting for??

Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

12/08/2025

The Music of the Semifinal Round‼️

For this 4th edition of the Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition the selected set piece is Pioneers composed by Philip Sparke.

Written by one of today’s most celebrated composers for wind orchestra, Pioneers is a work of broad narrative scope, paying tribute to the spirit of adventure, determination, and courage of those who open new paths. The piece alternates between passages of driving energy and moments of lyrical introspection, offering conductors the opportunity to display both technical command and interpretative sensitivity.

Sparke’s richly orchestrated score – full of timbral colors, instrumental dialogues, and constantly shifting dynamics – will challenge the semifinalists to lead the ensemble with clarity, precision, and artistic vision.

Pioneers is not only a technical test, but also a musical journey requiring the ability to convey to the audience the emotion and evocative power contained in every page of the score.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

Registrations are still open‼️

What are you waiting for??

Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

https://www.philipsparke.com/pioneers-the-concert-band

Concert Band The PioneersGrade 3 | 6 Mins Great Britain has had a National Youth Brass Band since 1952, which caters for players between the ages of 12 and 18 and has produced many outstanding instrumentalists in its distiguished history. An exciting development took place in July 2004 when the .....

07/08/2025

The music for this fantastic 4th edition‼️

For the first round of this edition of the Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition, Dr. Jack Stamp has composed an original, unpublished work: a suite for chamber wind ensemble and percussion inspired by the city of Modica.

The piece is divided into six movements, each portraying a different facet of Modica’s identity, blending musical imagery with the city’s landscape, history, and cultural essence:

1️⃣ The Four Hills – a majestic opening reflecting the natural contours that cradle the city;
2️⃣Steps and Alleys – rhythmic and colorful, evoking the winding paths and narrow stairways of the historic center;
3️⃣100 Churches, the City at Night – intimate, atmospheric textures inspired by the city's illuminated silence;
4️⃣Chocolate – a playful, spirited tribute to Modica’s most iconic product;
5️⃣January 19, 1944 – Salvatore Quasimodo – a lyrical, poignant movement recalling the bond between the poet and his hometown;
6️⃣Tarantella – a vibrant and energetic finale, infused with traditional dance rhythms and southern Italian flair;

This newly commissioned piece presents a rich interpretive and technical challenge, offering young conductors the opportunity to explore a musical journey deeply rooted in the spirit and character of Modica.

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition
14-16 November 2025
Modica

Registrations are still open‼️

What are you waiting for??
Visit our website and submit your application https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/rules/

🫵Your future as conductor starts here

SUITE MODICAfor chamber Wind Ensemblemusic by Jack StampMovements:I. Le Quattro Colline (The Four Hills)II. Gradini e Vicoli (Steps & Alleways)III. 100 Chies...

01/08/2025

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition – 4th Edition
Modica, November 14–16, 2025

Now in its fourth edition, the Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition stands as a prestigious event in the international wind orchestra's scene. Held in the beautiful city of Modica, the competition attracts talented conductors from around the world, offering them a unique opportunity to showcase their skills before a distinguished jury composed of renowned international figures in the music world. ù
It's a rare occasion for artistic growth, cultural exchange, and global recognition—celebrating excellence in conducting in honor of the legendary Maestro Frederick Fennell.

Visit our website for participation information
➡️ https://fennellcompetition.com/en-us/

Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition, Where Talent Meets the Podium‼️

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