Marin Alsop, TCCF Founder, shares her personal story of why the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship was developed:
I first knew that I wanted to become a conductor when I was nine years old and fell under the spell of the amazing (incomparable, incandescent, renowned) Leonard Bernstein. His joy, enthusiasm, energy, charisma and sheer love for what he was doing was palpable and irresistible to me. From that day onward, I was possessed by a desire to learn everything I could about conducting and I set my sights far ahead to the day I could step up on the podium and live my dream.
Of course, I didn't realize the myriad challenges would lie ahead, least of which being the fact that, unlike playing the violin where I could practice for hours on end; I couldn't actually practice conducting. I could practice my gestures but without 40 musicians at my daily beck and call, I couldn't actually practice with an orchestra!
After years of daydreaming and head banging, I finally realized that I needed to create my own opportunities and decided that I needed to form an orchestra if I was ever going to develop my conducting skills.
In 1984, I had the great fortune to meet a wonderful and unique man named Tomio Taki. Although Mr. Taki had no overt interest in symphonic music, I felt that he was someone I could trust to approach about my dream of creating an orchestra. Approaching Mr. Taki was a turning point in my quest; he was more than supportive, helping me found the Concordia Orchestra and serving as chairman of the board for all 18 years of the orchestra's existence!
I learned that we all need mentors, both from within and from outside our fields. Without Mr. Taki's unwavering support, I would never have had the opportunity to follow my own dream.
To honor Mr. Taki and the wonderful Concordia Orchestra, I founded the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship in 2002 out of a desire to emulate Mr. Taki's lifelong commitment to mentoring young talent. I am joined by Concordia supporters Nancy and Joel Hirschtritt, who have been instrumental in the founding of the TCCF.
I realized that mentors, from both within and outside of my field, were key in my ability to gain knowledge and succeed and it is a privilege to influence and impact the careers of aspiring conductors. I designed the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship so that it can focus on assisting emerging women conductors, to give them the exposure and experience necessary to develop their musicianship, their potential and their connections to music and to listeners everywhere.
Although the Concordia Orchestra has disbanded, the (TCCF) Fellowship continues to exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit needed to succeed and Mr. Taki's commitment to fostering talented women through active mentorship.
Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship Highlights:
2003: TCCF Fellow Carolyn Kuan assisted Marin Alsop at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, California.
2004: Colorado Symphony Orchestra became the first symphony orchestra to host TCCF Fellow Laura Jackson.
2005: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra [UK] hosted the Fellow.
2006: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music: Marin invited two TCCF Fellows (Carolyn Kuan and Jeri Lynne Johnson) to join her as Guest Conductors for the West Coast premiere of Michael Daugherty's Time Machine for orchestra and three conductors.
2007: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra joined TCCF as a partner to host the 2006 TCCF winner with a week with the orchestra in 2007, in an aptly named program of "Wonder Women."
2008: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra recording session Michael Daugherty's Time Machine included two TCCF fellows (Mei-Ann Chen and Laura Jackson) with Marin Alsop.
The Florida Orchestra and Stefan Sanderling, music director hosted 2007 TCCF Mei-Ann Chen.