Earlier this year, we announced Michal Oren as our new Calleva Assistant Conductor. Michal made her BSO debut in September, with performances in Barnstaple and Weymouth. She conducts festive programmes [Winter Warmers 9 Dec – Poole; Last Night of the Christmas Proms 18-21 Dec – Exeter, Poole, Portsmouth] before returning to the podium to lead a series of Explore the Orchestra schools’ concerts in the new year for thousands of children across the South West. Throughout the season, Michal also works closely with the Orchestra’s visiting conductors and soloists.
The Calleva Assistant Conductor programme in 2024-2030 is funded by The Calleva Foundation, in memory of Jack Butt. On announcing Michal Oren’s 2026 appointment, Trustees Stephen and Caroline Butt said: “Supporting the Calleva Assistant Conductor programme is our investment in the next generation of outstanding young artists, and we’re delighted to welcome Michal Oren to the role.”
The role received more than 140 applications in 2026: two days of auditions took place at Lighthouse, Poole, with several shortlisted candidates competing for the position. The winner was selected by a vote from the Orchestra’s musicians. On joining the BSO, Michal Oren, said: “As a young conductor you need time on the podium to grow, and I am deeply grateful to have this opportunity with the BSO […] I’m excited to get to know the musicians and audiences over the coming months ahead.”
Learn more about the BSO’s Calleva Assistant Conductors
Tom Fetherstonhaugh is Artistic Director of Fantasia Orchestra, with whom he has conducted four BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. In the 2026/27 season, Tom makes debuts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra, and returns for engagements with Britten Sinfonia, Welsh National Opera and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with whom he maintains a close relationship. He was Assistant Conductor at the BSO between 2022-2024 where he conducted 70 performances, and he is delighted to be returning for 12 concerts in 2026/27. Tom has enjoyed re-invitations in the last season with the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Orchestra of Opera North, and Ulster Orchestra, including several subscription-series concerts.
Tom Fetherstonhaugh conducts the BSO
Enyi Okpara is a rising star on the podium, praised for his dynamic musicianship, infectious energy and engaging presence. From the 2026/27 season, he joins the London Philharmonic Orchestra as Fellow Conductor, following two seasons as Calleva Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. In recognition of his growing reputation, he was named one of the UK’s “30 Incredible Musicians Under 30” on Classic FM’s Rising Stars list. Recent and upcoming engagements include Orchestre national Avignon-Provence, Ulster Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Chineke! Orchestra and Royal Northern Sinfonia. A strong advocate for outreach work and widening opportunities, Enyi will join the London Symphony Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for side-by-side concerts.
Conducting at Proms in the Park 2025
Michal Oren (2026-)
In the week of her BSO debut, Michal Oren (from 2026) was announced Winner of the 6th Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition by unanimous decision of the jury: she was also awarded the Orchestra Prize and returns to conduct the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in its 2027/28 season. Currently based in London, Michal completed her professional studies with Sian Edwards at the Royal Academy of Music, where she held the Bianca Falcone Sorrell Award. She gained her master’s degree from the Royal College of Music, as a full scholar, and studied both conducting and clarinet at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music. Michal has held positions at Opera North (Female Conductor Trainee 2024/25) and has assisted at the Royal Northern Sinfonia. She was also selected as a Classic FM ‘Rising Star’, in 2026.
Learn more about what it means to be a BSO Calleva Assistant Conductor
Former Calleva Assistant Conductor Enyi Okpara shares insights from his two years in the role…
Learn more about the BSO’s brilliant conductors here.
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