Jury 2023

Hendrik Vestmann
Jens Björn-Larsen
Ian Leslie Bousfield
Mark David
Dietmar Küblböck
Joseph Skillen
Prof. Thomas Leander
Alan Lee Kirkendall

Hendrik Vestmann

Conductor

Hendrik Vestmann is an Estonian conductor born 30 April 1974.

Born in Tartu, Vestmann studied choral direction drom 1992 to 1996 at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn, He was subsequently employed as a conductor at the Vanemuine Theatre and Opera House in Tartu, southern Estonia.

At the turn of the millennium, Vestmann went to Germanz. From 2000 to 2002, he studied with Wolf/Dieter Hauschild at the Hochschule f[r Musik Karlsruhe. From 2002 to 2004, Vestmann was Solo repetiteur and conductor at the Theater & Orchester Heidelberg.

in 2004/2005, Vestmann was General Music Director at the Vanemuine Theatre and Opera House in Tartu. Since September 2006, Vestmann has been first Kapellmeister and deputy General Music Director at the Städtische Bühnen Münster.

Since the 2013/2014 season, Vestmann has been chief conductor of the Bonn Opera. Since 2016/2017 season, he has been appointed General Music Director of the Staatstheater in Oldenburg.

In May 2006 Vestmann won he Hermann Abendroth Prize in Weimar. In the same year he was awarded the special prize pf the Dirigentenforum

Jens Björn-Larsen

Tuba

He was born in 1965 in Denmark. Björn-Larsen belongs to a small group of world-wide reknown solo tubists and is a highly respected and successful teacher for brass instruments. He has been awarded with many prizes, amongst others the first prize in the Nordic Competition of Soloists, the Victor Borge Prize and the Concours d’Exécution Musicale in Geneva.

After playing 20 years as a solo tubist he left 2005 the Danish National Symphony Orchestra in order to be able to dedicate himself exclusively to teaching and to a soloist career performing with leading orchestras in the world.

Jens Björn-Larsen is professor for tuba at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover and is also teaching at the Royal Danish Music Conservatory in Copenhagen as well as at the Music Academy in Malmö.

He is regularly giving master courses in the United States, Japan and in many European countries. Björn-Larsen is B & S Melton artist.

Ian Leslie Bousfield

Trombone

Ian Bousfield, born 16 February 1964, York, UK, is an English musician, who has held positions as Principal Trombone with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra. Also a pedagogue, Bousfield is an instructor in the music division at the Hochschule der Künste in Bern, Switzerland. In 1979, Bousfield became the youngest winner of the Shell / London Symphony Orchestra Music Scholarship.

In 1980 Bousfield joined the European Union Youth Orchestra, where he spent two years under the baton of Claudio Abbado. In 1988 at the age of 24 years Bousfield was appointed principal trombonist of the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 1999 he won an audition for the principal trombone position with the Vienne State Opera / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, where he performed until leaving in 2012 to devote more time to his teaching and solo careers.

Bousfield was appointed professor for trombone at the Royal Academy of Music in 1992, and has since been awarded Honorary Membership. In 2011, he began teaching at the Hochschule der Künste in Bern, Switzerland.

Mark David

Trumpet

Mark David has enjoyed a distinguished career as a performer in some of the most prestigious ensembles of the world. He was principal trumpet in the Philharmonic orchestra for more than 20 years and is currently principal trumpet of the Academy of St Martin in the Fieldsand a member of the Nash Ensemble.

His discography as a symphonic trumpeter is extensive and wide-ranging. He combines his performing activities with a busy schedule as a teacher and clinician, and his former students populate prominent positions around the world. Alongside his performing schedule, Mark’s leadership as an artistic director and head of brass at the Royal Academy of Music, has positioned the brass department as one of the foremost in the world and his former students occupy positions in orchestras worldwide. Mark is also active as a brass clinician and a pedagogue. Recent master classes have included visits to the USA, Austria, China, Germany, Switzerland, Finland and France.

Dietmar Küblböck

Trombone

Dietmar Küblböck, born 8th of June 1963 in Linz, is principal trombonist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Professor at the University for music and performing arts Vienna.

At the age of 14 Dietmar Küblböck began his trombone studies with his father Horst Küblböck at the conservatory of Vienna. Four years later in 1981 he became solo trombonist with the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra but only remained there for one year in order to accept the same position with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. This engagement ended after 17 years. Since February 1999 he is solo trombonist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

He is furthermore a member of the ensemble Concentus Musicus Vienna, of the Vienna trombone quartet as well as of the Clemencic Consort. He also plays with the Richard Österreicher Big Band and with Jazz musicians at the project Trombone Odyssee.

In 1997 he took over a guest professorship for trombone at the University of music and performing Graz, where he became a full professor in October 1999. On July 1st 2002 he joined the University of Music and performing arts Vienna.

Joseph Skillen

Tuba

Joseph Skillen is chair and professor of music at the college of arts and architecture in Charlotte / North Carolina.

Joseph Skillen has come to the university of North Carolina Charlotte after 22 years at Louisana State University, where he served in numerous capacities.

He has been a finalist and winner in both American and international solo competitions including winning the first prize at the prestigious 1992 Leonard Falcone Festival.

Skillen is a respective performer, teacher and scholar. His scholarly work includes more than 40 publications. Prior to his engagement at LSU, Skillen was a principal tubist in American orchestras, and he has performed with touring ensembles across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His performances have been broadcast in the U.S. on National Public Radio and on Sweden’s National Radio. He holds degrees in music education and music performance from Tennessee Technological University, Pennsylvania State University, and Michigan State University.

Prof. Thomas Leander

Rektor of the Robert Schumann Hochschule

A german pianist and university professor is since of April 1st 2023 rector of the Robert Schumann Academy of Music in Duesseldorf.

Born in 1960 as the son of an opera singer he was educated at the music academies in Duesseldorf, Vienna and London and passed the concert exam with distinction.

He gave concerts as a solist amongst others in San Francisco, Washington, New York, London and Warsaw. He has performed in important venues like Scala in Milano, Festspielhaus Salzburg, Cuvilliéstheater in Munich, and the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and at music festivals in Verbier, Salzburg and Moscow. Thomas Leander was also engaged as song accompanist of von Hermann Prey, Karl Ridderbusch, Robert Gambill and Mario Hoff.

Since 1995 Thomas Leander has been professor for piano and chamber music at the Robert Schumann Academy of Music Duesseldorf where he has held the post of pro rector since 2010.

He was the initiator of the project “the degenerated art – welcome in Germany” of the Robert Schumann Academy Duesseldorf and the band “Toten Hosen” (“The Deadbeats”) and was together with the musicians of the band awarded the Josef-Neuberger-Medal of the Jewish community Duesseldorf in October 2014.

Alan Lee Kirkendall

Trumpet

Alan Lee Kirkendall, born in USA, studied at North Western University in Chicago with Vincent Cichowicz and Adolph Herseth. Prinicipal trumpet at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for many years. In 1975 Alan Kirkendall came to Germany, where he first played with the Kassel State Orchestra for four years before taking the position as principal trumpet at the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra in 1979. He co-founded the philharmonic brass quintet and “Frech wie Blech” the brass ensemble of the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra.

 

Since summer semester 2018 Alan Kirkendall has been lector at trumpet at the Anton Rubinstein Music Academy and since 2021he has been a lector at the Beethoven Konservatorium in Tegelen Netherlands as well.