Solti Foundation

About The Solti Foundation U.SNow in its 24th year working with outstanding young U.S. conductors to further develop their talent and careers, The Solti Foundation U.S. is the foremost organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to helping young conductors. It is the first organization to have created an award in the legendary conductors honor.Established in 2000, the Foundation honors the memory of the legendary conductor Sir Georg Solti by lending significant support to career-ready young American musicians. In 2004, the Foundation concentrated the focus of its award program to solely assist talented young American conductors early in their professional careers (its original mission was of a more general arts nature). Since then, it has awarded over 1.5 million dollars through grants and residencies to American conductors.The Foundation endeavors to seek out those musicians who have chosen to follow a path similar to that followed by Sir Georg himself. In keeping with the spirit of Sir Georgs 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. It continues to offer support, and maintains a constant interest in their growth and achievements.The Foundation currently awards the following grants annually:The Sir Georg Solti Conducting AwardThe largest grant currently given to American conductors 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 Chicagos most prestigious performing organizations: Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance AwardThe amount of the Career Assistance Awards varies.The Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency ProgramIntroduced in 2014, the program places former award recipients with a distinguished opera house for one-on-one mentoring and coaching of an opera during the companys professional season. Over 20 residencies have been awarded, and recipients have worked with numerous stellar opera companies renowned for their artistic excellence across the country. Companies include the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee, North Carolina Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Michigan Opera Theatre and Opera Southwest. Conductors cannot apply but are instead selected by the Artistic and Awards Committee. Recent 2023 residencies were awarded to Dean Whiteside at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Nathaniel Efthimiou at Opera Southwest, and Tiffany Chang at Washington National Opera.The Solti Foundation U.S. is the only American Foundation to grant these kinds of awards each year to young American conductors. Only citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are career-ready artists in the field of conducting are eligible to apply.Individuals applying for a Solti Foundation U.S. award must be able to demonstrate that they are 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.