Todd's First Conducting Competition

Hello everyone!  I am excited to say that I was recently accepted to be one of 40 participants in the first annual Audite International Conducting Competition in Poland.  This would be my first-ever conducting competition, a fantastic platform for exposure in Europe, potential further opportunites, but most of all, a great learning experience! The money I raise would help to cover some of the expenses involved, including registration fees, plane ticket cost, and seven nights of lodging and meals during the multiple rounds of the competition.

As many of you know, I found a new passion in orchestral conducting about five years ago.…hard to believe it’s been that long! As some of you know, my life before that was immersed in the world of professional trumpet playing before I was diagnosed with an (ultimately) career-ending condition called focal dystonia. This is a neurological disorder that effects some professional musicians and has sadly ended many careers.

After trying to recover my playing for almost three years, my dear wife suggested that I might try focusing on something else for awhile. This ended up being excellent advice, because I found a new musical outlet that has been truly life-changing for me!

The expenses for the aspiring conductor are myriad, and although we have managed to fund many of them, the time has come that we really need to ask friends and family to help us.

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my plea and please know that I appreciate each and every one of you and your support whether or not you are able to do so financially!