We are glad to announce four outstanding nominees for their great achievements in amateur and youth music field in this year and during a longer period:
- Seamus Doyle (Ireland), the conductor, teacher and organizer (nominated by St Agnes` Community Centre for the Music and the Arts). He is conductor of St. Agnes Late Starters`Orchestra, an unique, active and enthusiastic amateur orchestra. Besides that he has been conductor of all many virtual events with combined ensembles throughout the pandemic and organised recordings and many events and made arrangements for the orchestra. He is chairperson of the board of St Agnes` Community Centre for Music and the Arts and he is working also as principal double bass player of RTE Concert Orchestra and double bass tutor.
- Nicola Malagugini (Italy), the orchestra manager and double bass player (nominated by Italian Association of Amateur Musicians, AIMA). He is founder and manager of the only amateur orchestra in Sicily island and all Southern Italy, The Antonio Scontrino Orchestra in Catania, which is a great achievement in the region of limited possibilities in that field. He is working also as professional double bass player in Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, has performed as soloist and with different ensembles and orchestras.
- Thorn Magnus Reymert (Norway), the teacher, violinist, conductor, concertmaster (nominated by Norwegian Youth Orchestras Federation, UNOF). He is leader and founder, artistic and pedagogic director of NOR59 youth orchestras and string institute in Oslo, where he has outstanding achievements with 140 young musicians who play also in different age level orchestras. He has his own unique way of teaching, taking care of every single musician for development as a musician and doing that to have as much fun and much progress as possible. He has also conducted international workshops showing his pedagogic talent.
- Igor Pejovic (Montenegro), the violinist, conductor and music manager (nominated by Montenegro Youth Orchestra). He is soloist, artistic leader and conductor of Montenegro Youth Orchestra, the first youth orchestra in Montenegro, and executive director of the Association of Young Artists of Montenegro. He is director of the Young Artists Festival and producer of many music projects. He is the creator of contemporary cultural heritage in Montenegro. He has popularised classical music and contemporary Montenegrin music, commissioned and performed many premieres and has collaborated with visual arts. Despite young age his contribution has been great and visible, extensive and significant for culture and art.
The jury consists of specialists in amateur and youth music:
Daniel A. Kellerhals (Switzerland, chairman), the honorary president of EOFed, former president of EOFed and European Association of Amateur Orchestras and horn player in Orchester Liechtenstein-Werdenberg,
Begüm Calimli (Turkey/USA, member), the violinist of Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Teaching Assistant in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory and board member of the World Federation of Amateur Orchestras and
Normunds Dregis (Latvia, member), the president of Latvian Orchestras Association, board member of the EOFed and artistic director and conductor of Jāzeps Medinš Riga 1st Music School chamber orchestra Armonico.
The award ceremony will take place and the winner will be announced on 20th September 2021 in Dresden Kreuzkirche (Germany) at the International Conference and Project Orchestra BTHVN 2021 Passion meets Profession.