Scholarship winners for 6th International Conductors' Seminar chosen

The promotion of choral music on different levels is one of the central issues of INTERKULTUR. An important component of these supporting activities is the awarding of scholarships, e.g. within the framework of seminars for choir conductors, which help to further the musical development of the participants. For the 6th International Conductor’s Seminar Wernigerode from July 17-20, 2021 with André van der Merwe from South Africa and Romāns Vanags from Latvia, the INTERKULTUR Artistic Committee awarded four scholarships to committed choral conductors from Austria, Germany, Thailand and Singapore:

Florian Pirolt from Austria is one of the three directors of the Carinthian National Youth Choir and choirmaster of several other youth choirs. The prospect of working with André van der Merwe was his motivation for applying: "In the last few years of my choir activities, I have discovered for myself that not only the clear sound but also the repertoire selection of the well-known South African student choirs has a particularly powerful fascination for me."

He already keeps several awards on his shelf, e.g. for special musical achievements and outstanding social commitment. Johannes Antoni from Germany is, among other things, deputy choral director and solo répétiteur with conducting duties at the municipal theater in Pforzheim. His way into choral music was, so to speak, destined: "From an early age, I have been fascinated by choral music - especially a cappella music, in which the choir voices (...) come into their own."

As the conductor of four high school choirs including CHIJ Secondary Choir, Serangoon Garden Chorale, Damai Voicez and North Vista Secondary Choir, Nicolette Foo from Singapore is always on the lookout for additional opportunities to further her education: "This program is an ideal platform for aspiring conductors as it gives us the opportunity to study international choral repertoire intensively and rehearse with top-class choirs, guided by experienced mentors."

Atichai Tragoondet from Thailand is, among numerous other activities in the field of choral music, also known as the conductor of several choirs such as the Chulada Choir of Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School, the Kangwan Singers & the Thai Youth Choir, with which he successfully participated in international choral competitions. His drive is to "raise (the) standard of Thai choral music to an international level." His expectations? "I hope to learn about all aspects of choral music, from conducting techniques to music interpretation to improving the choir. In other words, I look forward to everything that will make me a better choral conductor (...)."