The X International
The Jorma Panula Conducting Competition is among the most prestigious conducting competitions in Europe. The first competition was arranged in 1999 and after that every three years. The competition in 2027 will be arranged for the 10th time in the city of Vaasa and it will be a jubilee competition. From the very beginning, conductor, composer, academician Jorma Panula has been the Artistic Director and Chairman of the jury.
The city of Vaasa is situated on the Finnish west coast in the region of Ostrobothnia. The City Hall´s Grand Hall is the site for the Jorma Panula International Conducting competition. Classical music tradition in Vaasa has a long history. In the city hall has since 1883 been arranged concerts and soarées with composers and conductors such as Armas Järnefelt, Toivo Kuula, Jean Sibelius and many more until today. The Chamber Music Hall in the house still hosts the oldest documented Steinway & Son grand piano in Finland.
For the tenth time, Professor Jorma Panula has invited members to join the jury so that together they can select the best conductor from among 20 selected competitors in the next competition 31.8-4.9.2027.
The MINIKAPU competition, initiated by Professor Jorma Panula, is being held for the second time on 1–4 September 2027. It was first held in 2024 alongside the international conducting competition and is intended for talented young students of orchestral conducting.
The Viljo and Maire Vuorio Foundation is preparing for the tenth edition of the Jorma Panula International Conducting Competition, which will be held from 31st of August to the 4th of September 2027 in Vaasa.
The ninth edition of the Jorma Panula International Conducting Competition was closed on the 7th of September 2024. The organisers are grateful to Maestro Jorma Panula and the international jury for their skilful work in the competition. The competitors, who came from 11 different countries, represented a very fine selection of contemporary young conductors.
Maestro Jorma Panula introduced a new competition for young students in Finland in 2024. The competition is now arranged for the second time in Vaasa, Finland and runs alongside the 10th Jorma Panula International Conducting Competition.
The competition will hopefully increase the interest in conducting as a musical profession. The juniors will already, by participating, increase their visibility and hopefully find new open musical doors.
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