Two days of auditions took place at Lighthouse, Poole with 7 shortlisted candidates competing for the position. The winner was selected by a vote from the Orchestra’s musicians.
Oliver Cope was voted in second place, with semi-finalists Jacobus de Jager and Max Todes.
The bursary-supported training position provides a broad mix of performance opportunities and mentoring, including from the Orchestra’s world-leading guest conductors and musicians.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces Michal Oren as its Calleva Assistant Conductor. The role, which received more than 140 applications, offers next generation conductors the opportunity to catapult their career.
Currently based in London, Oren 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 in Tel-Aviv. She has held positions at Opera North (Female Conductor Trainee 2024/25) and has assisted at the Royal Northern Sinfonia. She was recently announced as a semi-finalist in the 80th Concours de Genève Conducting Competition.
Over the course of the tenure, Michal Oren will conduct the BSO and work closely with the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth and members of the artistic team, which includes Chloé Van Soeterstède (Principal Guest), David Hill MBE (Associate Guest), Kirill Karabits (Conductor Laureate), Marin Alsop (Conductor Emeritus) and Andrew Litton (Conductor Laureate).
Michal Oren follows in the steps of conductors Marta Gardolińska, Tom Fetherstonhaugh and current post holder, Enyi Okpara.
Michal Oren, the BSO’s 2026/27 Calleva Assistant Conductor said:
“I’m looking forward to joining the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as Calleva Assistant Conductor. As a young conductor you need time on the podium to grow, and I am deeply grateful to have this opportunity with the BSO. This week has marked my first time in the region; everyone has been so welcoming and I’m excited to get to know the musicians and audiences over the coming months ahead.”
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Executive, Dougie Scarfe OBE DL, said:
“We’ve enjoyed witnessing this extraordinary group of conductors over the past two days – and we’re delighted to announce Michal Oren as our 2026/27 Calleva Assistant Conductor.
“Thanks to the support of The Calleva Foundation, the BSO is proud to offer this platform upon which next generation conductors can elevate to the next stage in their professional journey under the guidance of our brilliant artistic team, led by Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth. In one of the best finals we’ve ever had in this competition, Michal’s musicianship and connection to the brilliant players of the BSO stood out and we can’t wait to return to the stage with her in our upcoming season.”
The Calleva Assistant Conductor programme in 2024-2030 is funded by The Calleva Foundation, in memory of Jack Butt. 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.”
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