On December 5-6, 2017, the Moscow International Performing Arts Centre will host the final selection of conductors for the Internship Group of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. Based on  the preliminary selection (video materials and interviews), seven young, but already titled conductors, who won awards at international competitions and took up positions in well-known orchestras and musical theatres, have reached the finals. They are Russians Arsenti Tkachenko, Anna Rakitina, Sergey Akimov, Arif Dadashev, Pyotr Gladysh and representatives of Belarus Dmitry Matvienko and Alexander Humala.
Within two days, trainees will deliver open rehearsals with the Orchestra, then the NPR musicians will vote for the most interesting and compelling maestros. The final decision  will be made by the NPR's Artistic Director  Vladimir Spivakov, the NPR's director Georgy Ageev (the architect and patron of the Internship Project) and the head of the Internship Group Alexander Soloviev.
The conductors were asked to choose a musical piece from six masterpieces programmed by the NPR  for the current concert season to work on with the Orchestra. Each contestant is given an hour, he chooses the form of rehearsal with the score himself (the whole opus or detailed work on fragments or orchestral parts). The specifics of rehearsals and biographies of the participants are given below.

The internship involves attending rehearsals of the Orchestra with Vladimir Spivakov and invited conductors, professional meetings and the discussion club under the leadership of Alexander Soloviev, as well as participation in the preparation of the NPR's concerts. Those interns who would turn out bright will be given the opportunity of a professional debut with the NPR; in addition, there might be considered the participation of the trainees in a gala concert or a special series of concerts in the 2018/2019 season. Promising interns will receive from the Orchestra management all necessary recommendations for further employment or participation in international competitions, festivals, projects.
The NPR conductor-training group was first organized in the 2004/2005 season at the initiative of Georgy Ageev. Over the years, many members of the group have made great strides in their profession, have taken top positions in leading orchestras and have won prestigious awards.

Biographies of the participants