Panama City, August 28, 2025. - The Ministry of Culture announces the opening of a public call for the selection of the new Titular Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, a historic fact as this office was first chosen through an open, competitive and transparent process.

The invitation will be addressed to directors with proven experience in the orchestral direction, who will be able to put forward their credentials, trajectory and artistic proposals to contribute to the cultural strengthening of the country.

The criteria for applying are to be Panamanian, to have an Orquesta Management degree from a recognised university or Conservatory, to prove studies at some musical instrument and to check experience with orchestral direction through handheld programs, posters, audiovisual material or expert critical opinions, among other documents.

The contest, which aims to enrich the production of the National Symphony Orchestra, will be open up to September 4th and includes a selection process that includes merits assessment, interviews, practical tests and auditions with respect to the orchestra.

The interviews with the candidates will be held from September 17, 18 and 19. The preselected candidates will participate in the audition phase, scheduled from September 22 to 26, during which they will be evaluated in their performance leading to the Orchestra with the repertoire established by the jury.

The Qualifying Jury will be composed of two directors of well-known foreign orchestras, put forward by the Representation Committee, and an outstanding Panamanian musician in the field of academic music, who isn't an active member of the National Symphony Orchestra.

The Jury's decision will be announced on September 30 and will be with the Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, to ratify and name the contest's winner.

The full bases and participation details are available from the official website of the Ministry of Culture at www.MiCultura.gob.pa