Guest Conductors Visit the Prep Division at The Juilliard School

Students react to an experience “no one in attendance will soon forget”

For more than 100 years, part of Juilliard’s mission has been dedicated to the development of musicians aged 8–18. The two Saturday programs for this age group—Pre-College and the Music Advancement Program (MAP)—are now both under the umbrella of the Preparatory Division. This fall, these instrumentalists had an experience many far more seasoned musicians could only dream of—working with world-renowned conductors Simon Rattle, music director of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, music director of the Metropolitan Opera. Both took time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge and love of music with the musicians in the Pre-College and MAP orchestras. These were, said Weston Sprott, director of the Preparatory Division, “experiences that no one in attendance will soon forget.” Here are some of the students’ reactions.

Working With Simon Rattle

Simon Rattle rehearsing with the MAP orchestra

Wind instrument section from the MAP orchestra

“It was amazing. You could feel his energy and passion for the music the entire time we were with him.”

Adedayo Perkovich, MAP Oboe, age 16

“The experience of seeing a living legend was absolutely surreal. He’s an icon.”

Adrian Gutierrez, MAP Clarinet, age 15

"No words. Gone."

Heechan Ku, Pre-College Cello, age 17

“It was incredible to work with someone of such high caliber who is so humble and so invested in the next generation of classical musicians.”

Alice McDonald, Pre-College Clarinet, age 17

“Working with Sir Simon Rattle made me look at the music from a new perspective.”

Siddharth Chalasani, MAP Trumpet, age 15

Share on:

Working With Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Yannick Nézet-Séguin with the Pre-College Orchestra

“This was one of the best days during my four years in Juilliard Pre-College.”

Jonathan Liang, Pre-College Trombone, age 17

Pre-College Orchestra French Horn section

"The radiant and detailed teaching last week was one of the most memorable experiences of my life."

Vivian Stewart, Pre-College Trumpet, age 17

Pre-College Orchestra brass and percussion sections

“I am inspired to work so much harder after working with you.”

Laura Futamura, Pre-College Flute, age 18

“This was a one-of-a-kind lesson and it surely made a huge impact on the way we play Rach 2.”

Aram Kim, Pre-College Violin, age 17