News & Press
NEWS | June 15, 2026
The awards for the International Gürer Aykal Conducting Competition have been presented
The third prize was awarded to William Lai from Hong Kong, and an honorable mention to the Taiwanese finalist Brian Liao by Burcu Acartürk Yıldız and Pınar Alpay on behalf of the Sevda Cenap And Foundation, which supported the competition. The finalists thanked the jury and respectfully saluted the orchestra, which had accompanied them with great understanding and professionalism throughout the week. {...}
NEWS | June 15, 2026
Awards were handed out at the major competition
Organized for the first time this year by the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality as part of the 2026 Eskişehir Year celebrations, and attracting great interest from international classical music circles, the Eskişehir International Gürer Aykal Orchestra Conducting Competition concluded with its final concert and awards ceremony. Bringing together young orchestra conductors from different countries around the world in Eskişehir, the competition created unforgettable moments both in the art world and in the city. {...}
NEWS | June 15, 2026
Young Chinese Conductors dominate the Eskişehir Conducting Competition
Young conductors of Chinese origin dominated the competition. In the final, these Chinese conductors, who work in the West, competed against each other. Atay Bağcı , the only Turkish conductor among the eight finalists and a member of the CSO horn ensemble, failed to make it to the final four. {...}
NEWS | June 15, 2026
Eskişehir International Gürer Aykal Conducting Competition
The Eskişehir International Gürer Aykal Orchestra Conducting Competition, organized for the first time this year by the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality and attracting great interest from international classical music circles, concluded with a final concert and awards ceremony. The winners of the competition, which provided young orchestra conductors with the opportunity to showcase their talents on an international scale, were announced. {...}
NEWS | May 1, 2026
Essaouira: The Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra delivers a truly captivating concert
Approached by MAP after the concert, William Lai, who came from Hong Kong, said he was "very happy" to perform in Essaouira, alongside the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra, highlighting the richness of the program offered, including Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 and excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, as well as exceptional works by Brahms. {...}
NEWS | January 28, 2026
Announcing William Lai as the Northern Ballet Conducting Fellow
In late 2025 Northern Ballet announced recruitment for a Gentleman Jack Conducting Fellowship to run February – September 2026. The company are thrilled to welcome William Lai to this role which will see him receive mentorship and training and conduct performances of Gentleman Jack across the UK. {...}
NEWS | October 13, 2025
William Lai wins the Orchestra Prize at the 5th International Conducting Competition "Universidad de Almería"
After a captivating performance of Dvorak 7th symphony and Puccini's lovely aria "Sì, mi chiamano Mimì" with Munõz as the soloist, the orchestra voted William Lai as conductor worthy of the Orchestra Prize. {...}
NEWS | October 13, 2025
William Lai wins the Orchestra Prize at the 5th International Conducting Competition "Universidad de Almería"
After a captivating performance of Dvorak 7th symphony and Puccini's lovely aria "Sì, mi chiamano Mimì" with Munõz as the soloist, the orchestra voted William Lai as conductor worthy of the Orchestra Prize. {...}
NEWS | JANUARY 28, 2026
Jerwood Foundation supports the Conducting Fellowship at Northern Ballet
Conducting for dance is a highly specialised skill and Northern Ballet is one of only a few organisations that offer experience and mentorship in this area for emerging conductors. The Fellow will develop the skills, insight, and confidence required for a future career in conducting for ballet.{...}
NEWS | NOVEMBER 22, 2023
WILLIAM LAI ADVANCED TO THE SEMIFINALS AT THE 11th GRZEGORZ FITELBERG INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR CONDUCTORS
William Lai becomes the first-ever Hong Kong-born conductor to reach the semi-finals at the prestigious 11th Grzegorz Fitelberg International Competition for Conductors {...}
NEWS | May 20, 2023
WILLIAM LAI TO COLLABORATE WITH ISRAELI TROMBONIST
Selected as the conductor of the Ad-hoc Orchestra, William Lai will direct the colourful Tomasi Trombone concerto, with the Principal Trombonist of the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal Elai Grisaru as the soloist {...}
NEWS | July 16, 2020
WILLIAM LAI LEADS THE GRAMOPHONE ORCHESTRA IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST TV SHOWS
In one of the biggest annual event of its kind, Gramophone Orchestra and its Principal Conductor and Artistic Director, William Lai, were invited by TVB to perform at the Caritas Charity Show 2020. The live-broadcasted concert featured a carefully curated programme of classical masterpieces and popular favourites, which the record-breaking amount of donations clearly suggests the overwhelming generosity of the public, and the frenzy towards performances of this kind. The concert received worldwide attention including Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, and the USA {...}
Affiliates
Conducting Fellow 2025/26 & 2026/27
Chief Conductor & Artistic Director