Taipei: Taiwan's Chen Wei-chung claimed the first prize at the inaugural Eskisehir International Grer Aykal Conducting Competition held in Turkey. The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) announced that Chen's victory on Sunday comes with a 7,500-euro award and the opportunity to conduct four concerts with various Turkish orchestras.

According to Focus Taiwan, the competition was open to conductors born after January 1, 1991. Chen progressed through the initial rounds by submitting a performance video, advancing through the first and second stages in Eskisehir, and finally securing his win in the third and final stage. Taiwanese conductor Brian Liao was also recognized with a special prize at the competition.

An NSO statement shared that Chen received a congratulatory call from Executive Director Lydia Wen-chen Kuo shortly after the results were announced. Chen expressed his gratitude to the orchestra for their support and acknowledged the influence of NSO's master class program led by Conductor Emeritus L Shao-chia. He was selected for this program for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, which he described as a pivotal period in his musical journey.

Chen's interest in conducting began during his time with the Chien Kuo High School Marching Band. Despite studying Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology at National Taiwan University, he pursued his passion for music, gaining admission to the master's program in the Department of Music at National Taiwan Normal University. Supported by a government scholarship, Chen is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in orchestral conducting at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

Speaking to CNA, Chen highlighted how his scientific background aids his analytical approach to musical scores, while emphasizing the need for emotional sensitivity in conducting. He expressed gratitude to his family for supporting his transition from medical studies to a career in music, acknowledging the challenges of the conducting path.

The Eskisehir International Grer Aykal Conducting Competition, which ran from June 8 to 15, aims to become a biennial event. Named after one of Turkey's prominent conductors, it seeks to discover emerging talent and promote international recognition, as stated on its official website.