National Symphony Selects 4 Conductors for Workshop; Top Performer to Receive 2.5 Million Won Scholarship

The Korean National Symphony Orchestra (CEO Yu Mi-jeong, Music Director Roberto Abbado) will hold the ‘2026 KNSO Conductor Workshop’ from Monday, September 14 to Wednesday, September 16 at the National Performing Arts Group rehearsal studio (N Studio) within the Seoul Arts Center to foster the next generation of domestic conductors.

Started in 2022, this workshop is a growth platform for next-generation conductors to build musical capabilities and field experience, centered on practical stage experience with an orchestra. It has produced conductors active on domestic and international stages, including Park Seung-yu (Permanent Conductor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Jeju Symphony Orchestra), who was part of the workshop's predecessor ‘NEXT STAGE’ (2020), and Park Keun-tae (2nd cohort, former Resident Conductor of Daejeon Symphony Orchestra). This year, the KNSO Academy Orchestra will participate as the performing ensemble, connecting the educational processes of both conductors and orchestra members into a single field.

In this recruitment, which selects only 4 individuals, 37 applicants applied, drawing significant interest with a high competition rate of 9.25 to 1. The profiles of the participants are also impressive. Among various applicants with diverse experiences and capabilities—ranging from conductors who have directly founded and led orchestras to those who have stood out in domestic and international competitions—Kwon Su-jeong (37), Oh Seong-bin (30), Jeong Seon-u (24), and Choi Jae-hyeok (33) were finally selected.

Mentors for this workshop include KNSO Music Director Roberto Abbado and LA Phil President and CEO Kim Nolte. Based on his experience leading world-renowned theaters and orchestras, Music Director Abbado will cover musical interpretation and rehearsal techniques, while Nolte will focus on leadership and business capabilities through lectures. An outstanding participant who stands out through the workshop will be awarded a 2.5 million won scholarship from the Sae-i-un Hyung Cultural Foundation.

In particular, this year, the public listening opportunities will be expanded to include the podium sessions and CEO Nolte's lecture, ‘The Conductor in American Orchestras, Their Expanded Role.’ The Korean National Symphony Orchestra aims to share the field of professional conductor education with the public, broadening opportunities to closely experience the growth process of conductors and the process by which an orchestra creates music.

Inquiries can be made through the Korean National Symphony Orchestra website (www.knso.or.kr) or by telephone.

Introduction to the Korean National Symphony Orchestra

Starting in 1985 as the Korean Symphony Orchestra, the first private symphony orchestra in Korea, the Korean National Symphony Orchestra has established an independent musical world as a theater orchestra encompassing not only orchestral music but also opera and ballet. It strives to expand the public's cultural enjoyment with 100 performances per year and is also working to nurture talent through educational projects for performers, composers, and conductors who will lead K-Classical.

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Institution: Korean National Symphony Orchestra

· Category: Performing Arts, Music, Korean National Symphony Orchestra

· Distribution: September 7, 2026, at 11:50 AM

Source: Korean National Symphony Orchestra Press Release (Newswire)

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