Who can apply?
Instrumentalists:
- Advanced music students and professional musicians
- Age limit: For the first participation in the Lucerne Festival Academy, the age limit is 28 years (cut-off date: August 1st, 2025). For musicians from the Academy Network who have already attended the Academy once, the age limit for re-registration is 32 years (cut-off date: August 1st, 2025).
- Course language: English
Conductors:
- Advanced conducting students and professional conductors
- Age limit: 32 years (cut-off date: August 1st, 2025: not older than 32 years on August 1st, 2025)
- Course language: English
Composers (Composer Seminar):
- Advanced composer students and professional composers
- Age limit: 32 years (cut-off date: August 1st, 2025: not older than 32 years on August 1st, 2025)
- Course language: German and English
Composers (Roche Young Commissions):
- Advanced composer students and professional composers
- Age limit: 32 years
- Experience in composing for large ensemble or orchestra
- Uninterrupted background in composition
Where can I apply?
Please register and apply online on our website. You can upload all requested documents and your recordings/videos/links and fill out the application form. The application will be announced in late autumn.
When can I apply?
The application for the following programs open on 4th November, 2024:
- Contemporary-Conducting Program
- Composer Seminar
Application Deadline: 2 December, 2024 (23:59 CET, Swiss time)
The application for the following program / award open on 2nd December, 2024:
- Lucerne Festival Academy
- Fritz Gerber Award
Application Deadline: 16 February, 2025 (23:59 CET, Swiss time)
When do applications close?
The application deadline for composers and counductors is on Monday, 2 December 2024 (23:59 CET, Swiss Time).
The application deadline for the musicians is on Sunday, 16 February 2025 (23:59 CET, Swiss Time).
I am older than permitted - Can I still apply?
The age limit for instrumentalists is 28, for conductors and composers it is 32. Unfortunately, applications from older people cannot be accepted.
For musicians/instrumentalists from the Academy Network who have already attended the Academy once, the age limit for re-registration is 32 years (cut-off date: August 1st, 2025).
I am a former participant - Do I have to send a new recording with the requested repertoire?
If you have already participated in the Lucerne Festival Academy, the application process will be simplified for you. In addition to the excerpts from 2025 (if available), you will need to upload at least one video of any contemporary piece. Solo or chamber music (one to nine performers) written since 1980, not longer than 10 minutes, and made within the last two years. Please note that you can participate in the Academy a maximum of three times.
For musicians from the Academy Network who have already attended the Academy once, the age limit for re-registration is 32 years (cut-off date: August 1st, 2025). Please use the same login as for your previous applications.
How much is the application fee?
There is no application fee.
What is the audition repertoire for this year's Academy?
Please see the following site for the audition repertoire.
Do you provide the scores for the audition repertoire?
You are responsible for obtaining the scores for the audition repertoire on time. If any logistical or financial problems arise while acquiring scores, please contact us at leaders@lucernefestival.ch.
Video requirements
All recordings should be made with video. No splicing is allowed within individual videos (including between movements), but each solo piece should be on a separate video. Orchestral excerpts must be recorded in one continuous, unedited video (free choice of order). Use of high-quality microphones is strongly encouraged. Separate audio and video equipment can be used, but both must be recorded live simultaneously. Digital effects, enhancements, or any other post-production audio manipulation techniques are not permitted. There is no dress code.
Can I do a live audition?
It is not possible to do live auditions.
How many musicians will be invited?
Every summer, some 100 talented young musicians from all over the world are given the opportunity to concentrate on a repertoire that is still too much overlooked in the classical music business: the music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
When will the results of the selection be announced?
The Lucerne Festival Contemporary Leaders will decide on active participation upon receipt of the registration forms and recordings. The results of the selections will be announced by mid of March 2025. There is no right of legal appeal. No correspondence regarding the decisions will be conducted.
Is there a waiting list?
You will be informed by email if you are on the waiting list. In case of cancellations or changes in the list of participants, we will inform you as soon as possible.
Will there be any feedback from the jury?
Because of the large number of applications, no individual feedback will be given and no correspondance regarding the decisions will be conducted. Thank you for your understanding.
Who is in the Guest Faculty of the Lucerne Festival Academy?
2025 the following musicians were supporting the Lucerne Festival Academy.
Guest Faculty 2025
Helen Bledsoe, flute | Ensemble Musikfabrik
Lorelei Dowling, bassoon | Klangforum Wien
Anders Nyquist trumpet | Klangforum Wien
Mikael Rudolfsson, trombone | Klangforum Wien
Alex Liposwki, percussion | Klangforum Wien
Joonas Ahonen, piano | Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln
Frédérique Cambreling, harp
Garth Knox, viola
Nicolas Crosse, double bass | Ensemble intercontemporain
and others - to be announced soon
What is the program of this year?
You can find the program on our website.
Who will conduct this year?
Michelle Di Russo, Vimbayi Kaziboni, Jonathan Nott, David Robertson, Elena Schwarz, and Sebastian Zinca are the guest conductors of the Lucerne Festival Academy 2025.
Still have questions?
Please send an email to: academy@lucernefestival.ch
How much does the Academy cost?
Travel, accommodation, and meals, as well as instrumental parts are provided by Lucerne Festival.
Do I need special insurances for the Academy?
For your stay in Europe you are responsible for the following insurance:
- Travel cancellation insurance (obligatory)
- Foreign health insurance (obligatory)
- Instrument insurance (recommended)
- Luggage insurance (recommended)
- Casualty insurance (recommended)
Lucerne Festival does not provide any insurance.
When is the arrival/departure day of the Lucerne Festival Academy?
Arrival day in Lucerne is: 15 August 2025 (no late arrivals possible)
Departure day from Lucerne is: 8 September 2025
Is it possible to arrive earlier?
It is possible to arrive earlier, but please get in touch with us: academy@lucernefestival.ch.
Is it possible to participate only in part of the Academy? Is it possible to arrive later or leave earlier?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to participate only in part of the Academy. Neither it is possible to arr to arrive later, leave earlier or to miss any rehearsals or concerts.
Do I need a visa?
Students from America and Europe do not need a Visa. For all other nationalities, please check with your embassy to learn whether a Visa is needed. Each student is responsible for applying for any necessary visas to Switzerland in timely manner. Lucerne Festival can provide invitation letters for your Visa applications.
Who will arrange my travel?
Lucerne Festival will organize all flights from your home or place of study to Lucerne and back. If you travel by train to Lucerne and back we kindly ask you to arrange your own tickets and you will be reimbursed in Lucerne (please send us your receipts by email). We will send an online contract with a travel form in March.
Can you book open flight tickets?
No we do not book open flight tickets.
Can I change my flight?
After your confirmation of the flight offer, the booking will be done. All rebooking and cancellation fees have to be covered by yourself. In case you miss the flight by actual fault, Lucerne Festival cannot cover any expenses for a rebooking.
How do I receive my flight ticket?
At the latest at the beginning of August we will send you the flight ticket (e-ticket) and your train ticket from Zurich airport to Lucerne (e-ticket) via email.
How do I get from Zurich airport to Lucerne?
By the beginning of August we will send you your train ticket (e-ticket) via email with a timetable. This train ticket enables you to take all trains to Lucerne on this day.
How can I travel in the city?
Lucerne Festival will provide you with a ticket for public transport in the main city center for all three weeks. You will receive the ticket on your arrival day in Lucerne.
Where will I live during the Academy?
Lucerne Festival will arrange for all students to stay with a local host family for the entire three weeks. We will try to respect all your wishes concerning location and room mate.
Where will I meet my host family?
We will arrange for you to be picked up by your host family on your day of arrival in Lucerne. You will meet your host family in the contemporary foyer.
Where is the meeting point during the Academy?
There's the contemporary foyer either in Südpol or the KKL which is kind of the meeting point / warm-up place for Academy members. Every day important news, rehearsal schedule changes, and meeting points for the next day will be proviede in the "Daily Summary" via email or also via whatsapp. Someone of the Contemporary-Team is always there to help you and aswer your questions.
How do I obtain the scores?
By May/June we will send you all the parts / scores and a cast list.
How do I know in which pieces I will play?
You will receive an according cast list via email and see also the assignments on the platform 442hz.com. The orchestral parts are provided by the Lucerne Festival Academy in May/June.
I have to play an instrument that I do not own myself (contrabassoon, english horn, alto flute, etc.). What should I do?
If you need an additional instrument (such as english horn, contrabassoon, alto flute, special mutes, etc.), please contact us: academy@lucernefestival.ch
Woodwinds: please bring your own reeds with you (also for any additional rented instruments).
Please note that you should contact us in due time (deadline will be announced).
Can I rent instruments?
If you need an additional instrument (as english horn, contrabassoon, alto flute, special mutes, for example), please contact us: academy@lucernefestival.ch
Double bass: it is possible to rent double basses in Lucerne. Please let us know if you need a rented instrument or if you will bring your own. If you wish to rent a double bass, please bring your own bow.
Woodwinds: please bring your own reeds with you (also for any additional rented instruments).
What is the dress code for the concerts?
Concert performance (concert hall):
Women: elegant black (long- and short-sleeved); please also black stocking socks - no skin colored stockings or "barefoot”, black shoes
Men: traditional black suit jacket, black dress shirt, black pants, black socks, black shoes
Non-Binary: any of above
Concert visit
Women, men, non-binary: elegant, no jeans or beach shoes!
Do I need an adapter?
Switzerland has different electrical outlets. Please bring an adapter with you.
Is there wifi in the KKL?
There is wifi in the KKL / contemporary foyer. There is no computer available, so please bring your own laptop or smartphone with you.
Still have questions?
Please send an email to: academy@lucernefestival.ch.