The Glover-Edwards Programme is aimed at female conductors to help bridge the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study. Founded in 2018 by the Academy’s Head of Conducting, Sian Edwards, it strives to encourage women who are considering applying for a Master’s in orchestral conducting in the UK or abroad. The main goal: to have more women take their place on the podium. Participants engage in workshops which explore a range of orchestral repertoire, and receive advice on how to hone their skills and boost their confidence when directing an orchestra.
For the 2022/2023 edition of the Programme, an initial twelve participants were shortlisted to five at the first weekend of workshops in September 2022. These conductors were then invited to a further three sessions in October, November, and January.
Over the course of these workshops, Dame Jane Glover and Sian Edwards guided the participants through a variety of repertoire, including an in depth look at Mozart’s Symphony No. 36 ‘Linz’. Leading British conductor Alice Farnham joined for the final workshops on 14 and 15 January to share her knowledge and expertise. Working on Beethoven’s Second Symphony, Alice and Sian helped the five participants to finesse their conducting techniques on a smaller scale at the piano, before they had the opportunity to put their skills into practice with a full Academy Symphony Orchestra.
'Discussing musical ideas with and receiving guidance from Sian Edwards, Jane Glover and Alice Farnham was the most valuable experience. I am very grateful for the intensive four weekends of music making.'
Margarita – 2022/23 participant
'These workshops have offered me the most valuable experience in practical time working with an orchestra. It has taught me to love conducting even more!’
Suzanne – 2022/23 participant
Applications for the next edition of the Glover-Edwards Programme will open in May – keep an eye on our website and social media channels for further details.
Alice Farnham returns to the Academy in March to conduct in our Opera Company's production of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro.
Images: Frances Marshall