NEW YORK — Bundit Ungrangsee of Thailand was named a winner in the inaugural Maazel/Vilar Conductors' Competition — the first worldwide conductors' competition. Maestro Lorin Maazel of the New York Philharmonic made the announcement at Carnegie Hall Sept. 5 following the second of two concerts given by finalists in the competition.
The announcement followed an outstanding concert given by Brother Ungrangsee and Xian Zhang of China, who shared his prize. Each will now participate in a comprehensive two- to three-year fellowship program directed by Maestro Maazel and will receive a $45,000 prize and a series of professional engagements with symphony orchestras.
A native of Bangkok, Brother Ungrangsee is the associate conductor of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in Charleston, S.C. He joined the Church in 2000 during his tenure as associate conductor of the Utah Symphony. He is now a member of the Charleston 1st Ward, Charleston South Carolina Stake.