“Most orchestras have an assistant conductor, or occasionally two, standing by to take over any concert if there is a need…. The degree of actual music-director mentoring might vary, but a wealth of experience is gained no matter what,” writes Mark Swed in Sunday’s (9/12) Los Angeles Times. “That’s the Dudamel Fellowship job description as well,” referring to the Dudamel Fellowship Program, which Gustavo Dudamel founded in 2009 when he was appointed music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. “A striking aspect of the former fellows, however, is how little they are like Dudamel—or each other…. Personality, gender, race, nationality and other aspects of identity appear to suggest far more about their styles. They all seem to be natural leaders … The main thing these former fellows may take home from L.A. is … they must think about what an orchestra plays and why, what is needed to serve diverse audiences and what it means for an orchestra to belong to a community…. Dudamel has given his fellows a conductor’s hammer. The four women who had their [Hollywood] Bowl debuts … are well armored. The glass ceiling doesn’t stand a chance.” The article reports on multiple former Dudamel Fellows and their careers.
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