THE Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has revealed its latest addition.

Frank Zielhorst from the Netherlands will officially be the 2014 Leverhulme Young Conductor in Association, a key role at the BSO.

The challenging audition process saw Frank and fellow candidates given 20 minutes with the world-class BSO to demonstrate their rehearsal techniques and as well as their conducting skills. The candidates had pieces selected by the BSO including works by the composers Brahms, Copland, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.

All of the candidates commented on how helpful and supportive the BSO musicians and team were during the auditions. In the last two years, Frank has been a guest with almost all of the orchestras in the Netherlands, either to conduct them in concert or to receive master class. Internationally, Frank has conducted at the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Cardiff) and the Ulster Orchestra (Belfast) in the UK and at the EPABI Orchestra in Covilhã, Portugal.

Dougie Scarfe, BSO chief executive says: “The Leverhulme Young Conductor in Association is a key role at the BSO and an important part of our work to help develop new generations of artistic talent. I am delighted with the interest the role has generated, the quality of the young conductors was very high indeed and huge congratulations must go to Frank Zielhorst on his selection to the post. Everyone at the BSO is looking forward to working with Frank next season.”

Frank’s skills will be developed further as the young conductor will also be involved in the orchestra’s award winning education programme, BSO Participate, leading conducting master-classes in schools and mentoring youth ensembles across the south and south west.

Frank Zielhorst, BSO Leverhulme Young Conductor in Association says: “Thank you to the BSO for this fantastic opportunity I’m very much looking forward to working with the Orchestra in the forthcoming concert season across the South and South West. The BSO’s organisation of the Leverhulme Young Conductor in Association auditions was a brilliant experience and offered such a broad repertoire.”