Alpesh Chauhan, a 23-year-old Birmingham local, has become the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s first conducting fellow.

The year-long fellowship is designed to build on the CBSO’s record of nurturing young conductors, who have included current music director Andris Nelsons and the Berlin Philharmonic’s Simon Rattle.

The programme will include one-to-one mentoring from Nelsons, principal guest conductor Edward Gardner and associate conductor Michael Seal, and give access to rehearsals and performances.

In addition, Chauhan, a final-year conducting student at the Royal Northern College of Music, will work with musicians and office staff to help with the CBSO’s educational work in the Midlands.

‘We’re thrilled that Alpesh is the first person to be offered and to take up this new role that we hope will, in turn, inspire a whole new generation of talented and passionate music professionals,’ said CBSO chief executive Stephen Maddock.

Chauhan has been involved with the orchestra since 2005, when he joined the CBSO Youth Orchestra as principal cellist. He also conducts the Bournville String Orchestra and is the assistant conductor of Birmingham Schools' Symphony Orchestra.