Euan Shields Emerges Victorious in the Siemens Hallé International Conductors Contest
Euan Shields, a talented conductor born in Osaka, Japan in 1998, has made a significant mark in the music world. After moving to northern California at the age of 13, Shields embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to the prestigious Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition, which he recently won.
The final day of the competition took place at Bridgewater Hall, home of the Hallé Orchestra, where Shields demonstrated his exceptional conducting skills. He confidently led the orchestra in performances of works by Mozart, Elgar, Sibelius, and Stravinsky, impressing the judges with his "outstanding display of talent."
Shields's musical journey began at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studied cello under professor Antonio Lysy. His professors, despite the lack of an undergraduate conducting program, extended opportunities and assistance to him when he took the initiative. Shields's dedication and passion for music were evident, as he organized a regular event called SRO or 'Sight Reading Orchestra,' where he directed and conducted large repertoire pieces with friends.
Shields's mentors at UCLA, including Neal Stulberg, Peter Kazaras, Richard Danielpour, and Gloria Cheng, played a significant role in his development. Stulberg, a professor of conducting at UCLA, praised Shields's musical leadership abilities and talent. His mentor, Antonio Lysy, described Shields's ability to recruit friends for musical projects and his "amiable effortlessness" as a leader.
Shields's conducting skills were so developed by graduation that he was accepted into Juilliard's master's program in conducting. After his studies, Shields returned to California, where he performed with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra as a cellist.
In 2021, Shields graduated from The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music with a bachelor's in cello performance. His success continued to grow, as he founded and directed a chamber youth orchestra.
The first prize for the Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition is a two-year engagement as assistant conductor to Manchester's Hallé Orchestra's music director, Sir Mark Elder. Shields will also take over directorship of the Hallé Youth Orchestra for the next two years.
Over 200 conductors from six continents applied to participate in the Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition, making Shields's win a testament to his exceptional talent. As he embarks on his new role with the Hallé Orchestra, music lovers can expect exciting performances from this promising young conductor.
During his time at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Euan Shields supplemented his cello studies under professor Antonio Lysy with an enthusiastic dedication to self-development in the realm of education and music, organizing events like SRO or 'Sight Reading Orchestra.' His success in entertainment, evident in his winning the Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition, demonstrates his passion for music transcending into multiple avenues.
