BOURNEMOUTH Symphony Orchestra has announced it's new calleva assistant conductor for the 2024/25 season.

Enyi Okpara won a vote from the orchestra's musicians at Lighthouse, Poole. 

The role received 120 applicants and is a bursary-supported training position designed to offer a platform to build professional experience through performance opportunities and mentoring from BSO's world leading conductors and musicians. 

Enyi said: “I’m so looking forward to the year ahead and working with these amazing musicians, who have shown so much warmth towards all of us finalists this week.

"To have the opportunity to work regularly with a professional orchestra of this calibre is such an amazing experience — I can’t wait!”

Currently based in London, Enyi studied an MA in orchestral conducting with Sian Edwards at the Royal Academy of Music. 

The role was previously held by Tom Fetherstonhaugh, who is rapidly building an international career and has recently been signed to the Rayfield Allied agency.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s chief executive, Dougie Scarfe OBE DL, said: “We’re thrilled to have welcomed yet another fantastic cohort of brilliant conductors to the platform at Lighthouse, Poole for this year’s competition.

"We’re deeply proud of the scheme and are grateful to The Calleva Foundation for their support of it."