University of Cincinnati
08/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/26/2026 15:18
CCM alumnus receives 2026 Career Assistance Award from Solti Foundation
CCM alumnus receives 2026 Career Assistance Award from Solti Foundation
Orchestral Conducting alumnus William Langley is one of 16 conductors to receive the award
4 minute read August 26, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Story Like
UC College-Conservatory of Music alumnus William Langley recently received a 2026 Career Assistance Award from the Solti Foundation U.S., an award given to young conductors to further their professional endeavors.
William Langley. Photo/provided.
Langley (MM Orchestral Conducting, '18) is one of 16 conductors to receive the award this year - all ranging in age from 24 to 36 years old. The 2026 cohort includes five music directors, one orchestra founder, four assistant conductors, one fellow conductor, two resident conductors and three associate conductors, as well as many fellowships, with the awardees working worldwide.
Langley currently serves as Resident Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Staff Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2021, he served as Resident Conductor with Cincinnati Opera. He most recently returned to CCM to conduct the college's production of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2025, directed by Robin Guarino. He will return again to conduct CCM's production of Ariadne Auf Naxos, directed by Brian Robertson, which runs April 15-17, 2027.
In 2009, Langley founded the Wolf River Chamber Orchestra and in 2011 the Memphis Repertory Orchestra. Langley led over 50 performances with the MRO during his decade-long tenure, during which the orchestra served as Orchestra in Residence at the Buckman Performing Arts Center. Recent highlights include his European debut with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, his Toledo Symphony Orchestra debut and an international tour of Spain with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Upcoming engagements include making his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Delta Subscription Series debut, and leading Cincinnati's CCM Opera production of Ariadne auf Naxos.
Langley has largely completed coursework for his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting and holds a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting from CCM. He has a Bachelor of Music in Music History from the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, University of Memphis. He is a first-time recipient of a Career Assistance Award from The Solti Foundation U.S.
This isn't the first time CCM Orchestral Conducting alumni have been recognized by the Solti Foundation. The Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, which comes with a $30,000 grant, was awarded to François López-Ferrer (BM Composition, '12) in 2024 and to Christopher Allen (MM Orchestral Conducting, '11) to 2017 - both were previous recipients of Solti's Career Assistance Award as well.
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At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don't wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what's Next. To us, today's possibilities spark tomorrow's reality. That's why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.
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About the Solti Foundation U.S.
Now in its 26th year, The Solti Foundation U.S. is the foremost organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to helping young conductors. It is the first organization to have created an award in the legendary conductor's honor.
Established in 2000, the Foundation honors the memory of the legendary conductor Sir Georg Solti by lending significant support to career-ready young American musicians. In 2004, the Foundation concentrated the focus of its award program to solely assist talented young American conductors early in their professional careers (its original mission was of a more general arts nature). Since then, it has awarded over 1.950 million dollars through grants and residencies to American conductors.
The Foundation endeavors to seek out those musicians who have chosen to follow a path similar to that followed by Sir Georg himself. In keeping with the spirit of Sir Georg's active approach to his career, young conductors must apply to be considered for the awards.
While dedicated to identifying and assisting young conductors early on, the Foundation is also concerned with the long-term development of its award recipients. It continues to offer support, and maintains a constant interest in their growth and achievements.
Featured image at the top: William Langley conducting a student orchestra in CCM's Corbett Auditorium.
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