Australian conductor Sam Weller has been named one of 24 international semi-finalists for the second edition of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam.

Sam Weller conducts Ensemble Apex. Photo © Jordan K Munns

The semi-finals will take place on 17–19 June, in De Doelen. Six finalists will then be selected to partake in a year-long training development program. The final round will take place at the end of the program in June 2025.

The ICCR’s top Grand Prix prize awards the winner €15,000 (approx. $25k AUD). It also awards five specialist prizes at  €3,000 each, and a €2,000 audience award. Each finalist receives a €5,000 performance fee.

The 2024 jury members include composers Brett Dean, Cathy Milliken and Eric Whitacre and conductors Dame Jane Glover, Sian Edwards, Iván Fischer, Yip Wing-Sie, Kwamé Ryan and Ed Spanjaard, among others.

Weller is a freelance conductor based between Sydney and Amsterdam and the founder, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Ensemble Apex.

A graduate from both the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the...