Solti Foundation

Causes: Philanthropy, Public Foundations

Mission: The solti foundation u. S. Was established after the 1997 death of sir georg solti. Its mission is to assist talented young american musicians at the start of their professional careers. It has made annual grants to awardees since 2003.

Programs: Sir georg solti was conductor of the chicago symphony orchestra from 1969-1991 and laureate conductor until 1997. The much loved and revered solti is remembered by his many friends and associates not only in chicago, but throughout the world. The solti foundation u. S. Was established to honor the memory of the legendary conductor sir georg solti and his dedication to helping young artists. For 2017, penny van horn, board chair of the solti foundation u. S. And elizabeth buccheri, artistic and awards committee chair, announced the foundation's eighth grant, the sir georg solti conducting award, to christopher allen, resident conductor for cincinnati opera. Also announced was an increase of five thousand dollars to $30,000 in what is the largest grant awarded to young american conductors in the united states. "in reviewing the needs of young conductors today, the board elected to increase themonetary value of the sir georg solti conducting award from $25,000 to $30,000 tohelp ensure that our young conductors have the opportunity to demonstrate theirmusicianship, leadership and full potential to the broadest possible audience. "about the solti foundation u. S. Now in its thirteenth year of assisting outstanding young u. S. Conductors to furtherdevelop their talent and careers, the solti foundation u. S. Is the foremost organization in the united states dedicated exclusively to helping young conductors. Established in 2000 to honor the memory of sir georg solti by lending significantsupport to career-ready young american musicians, in 2004, the foundationconcentrated the focus of its award program to exclusively assist talented youngamerican conductors early in their professional careers (its original mission was of a more general arts nature). Since then, it has awarded over $412,500 in grants toamerican conductors. In the words of lady valerie solti, "we are committed to realizing solti's passion for excellence in music by extending assistance to further the early careers of those with exceptional talent. "the foundation endeavors to seek out those musicians who have chosen to follow apath similar to that followed by sir georg himself. In keeping with the spirit of sir georg's active approach to his career, young conductors must apply to be considered for the awards. While dedicated to identifying and assisting young conductors early on, the foundation is also concerned with the long-term development of its award recipients, continuing to offer support and maintaining a constant interest in their growth and achievements. The foundation currently awards the following grants annually:the sir georg solti conducting award. The largest grant currently given to americanconductors in the formative years of their careers, the prestigious $30,000 grant is given annually to a single promising american conductor 38 years of age or younger. The award, also known as the solti fellow, includes door-opening introductions, ongoing professional mentoring, and introductions to two of chicago's most prestigious performing organizations: lyric opera of chicago and chicago symphony orchestra. Past recipients include karina canellakis, vladimir kulenovic, cristian macelaru, james feddeck, case scaglione, eric nielsen, and anthony barrese. The solti foundation u. S. Career assistance award. The amount of the career assistance awards varies. Opera residency program. Introduced in the 2014-15 season, the program places formeraward recipients with a distinguished opera house for one-on-one mentoring andcoaching of an opera during the company's professional season. Conductors cannotapply, but are instead selected by the artistic and awards committee. The foundation is currently the only american foundation to grant these kinds ofawards each year to young american conductors. Citizens or permanent residents of the united states who are career-ready artists in the field of conducting are eligible to apply. Applicants for all solti foundation u. S. Awards must be able to demonstrate that he/she is developing a career as a symphonic/operatic conductor. All applications from the sir georg solti conducting award are considered for a solti foundation u. S. Career assistance award. Applications are reviewed by an awards committee comprised of a panel of professionals with broad musical and conducting experience. The foundation reserves the right to withhold a grant in any given year if the awards committee does not find suitable applicants in one or more of the various award categories.