• Aku Sorensen came top out of more than 200 candidates from all habitable continents
• Aku will become Assistant Conductor of the Hallé orchestra from September 2026
• Aku will assist Kahchun Wong (Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Hallé Orchestra) for the next three years, and will become Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra
• The final was held in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 31 March 2026

Finnish/American conductor, Aku Sorensen, impressed the five-strong panel at the final with his outstanding conducting ability and excellent communication with the orchestra. More than 200 conductors applied to take part, and eight semi-finalists were selected for the competition days on 29 and 30 March. Presented by BBC Radio 3’s Tom McKinney, the final on 31 March was a public concert at The Bridgewater Hall in which the finalists were put through their paces in front of an enthusiastic live audience.

Aku Sorensen said: It’s still not quite sunk in yet that I’ve won the chance to be the Hallé’s next Assistant Conductor. It’s very exciting the thought of working with the Hallé for the next three years. These last two days have been full of fun and genuine music making, it’s been a really fantastic experience getting to know everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds!

About the competition
The first prize of the Conductors Competition consists of a three-year engagement as Assistant Conductor to Kahchun Wong, the Hallé’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor. In addition, Aku will become Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra and will receive the opportunity to establish himself on the world stage through numerous guest conducting appearances. Aku will take up his new position with the Hallé in September 2026.

Kahchun Wong said: The last three days have been extremely exciting, and it has been a true privilege to observe the magnificent talent of the competitors. It was a very difficult decision to choose an overall winner, but I am delighted to welcome Aku as the new Assistant Conductor of the Hallé and I’m sure that the Hallé Youth Orchestra will be in good hands with him as Music Director. I am very much looking forward to start working with Aku in September.

Stephan Frucht, Artistic Director of the Siemens Arts Program said: “Congratulations to Aku on this outstanding achievement. The Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition is, above all, one thing: a great opportunity. Any conductor who can combine artistic excellence, personality and vision will have the chance here to turn their dreams into reality with a top-class orchestra such as the Hallé Orchestra.”

Alongside Stephan Frucht and Kahchun Wong, the competition panel comprised three experts from the classical music world: David Butcher (Chief Executive of the Hallé), Anna Hirst (Head of Artistic Planning at the Hallé) and Frauke Roth (General Manager of the Dresdner Philharmonie).

The competition builds on a long-standing partnership between the Hallé and Siemens AG. As well as fostering excellence among talented young musicians as part of the Siemens Arts Program, the two organizations collaborate closely on delivering a variety of educational and community outreach projects.

To learn more about the SHICC, visit www.conductors-competition.com

Further information on the Siemens Arts Program is available at:

Siemens Arts Program - Sustainability - Global

ENDS

Interviews, photos and additional information available from press@halle.co.uk or Imogen@vbpr.co.uk