Sir Mark Elder is Music Director of the Hallé Orchestra, and one of Britain's most successful conductors.

He works regularly with the world's leading symphony orchestras, and enjoys particularly close associations with the London Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.  He has been principal guest conductor for the CBSO, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the London Mozart Players.

As Music Director of the English National Opera, mark Elder led the company on successful tours of the USA and Russia, attracting international acclaim.  He appears regularly in all the major opera houses of the world, including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera New York, and the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich.

Mark Elder has for many years conducted at the BBC Proms, and has twice let the internationally televised Last Night.  His other television works include films on the lives of Verdi and Donizetti.

In 2003 the Hallé launched it's own recording label, and the first releases, under Mark Elder's direction, have met with universal critical acclaim.  He has won an Olivier award for his work at ENO, and was the Royal Philharmonic Society's Conductor of the Year in 2006.

"We all have music in us somewhere.  Future Talent aims to provide opportunities in music for all young people.  Where we find the talent we hope to provide the resources for it to be nurtured.  What better way to involve young people in 21st Century Britain?

We read almost on a daily basis that music is being neglected in our schools and that the opportunity for our children to experience top-quality music making is, at best, restricted.

Future Talent hopes that one day, it will be the norm for all children across the UK to have equal opportunities in music.  And that those who have the talent and wish to make a career in music will have been supported and encouraged by Future Talent. 

This is why I endorse the work of Future Talent wholeheartedly and will follow the growth and development of this new charity with interest and eager anticipation."

Sir Mark Elder was knighted in 2008 and was awarded the CBE in 1989.

To read more about Future Talent's involvement with the Hallé Orchestra and the Future Champions Awared click here.