Know more about Lucerne Festival Academy 2026!

Be Part of the Lucerne Festival This Year!

As a two-time member of the Lucerne Festival Academy and an ambassador of the Academy this year, I am excited to share that applications are now open for instrumentalists and conductors!

Dedicated to contemporary repertoire and founded by the legendary composer-conductor Pierre Boulez, the Lucerne Festival Academy and the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra welcome their new director, Jörg Widmann this year, as well as works by Mark Andre, Liza Lim, John Adams, Frank Zappa, Steve Reich, and the Academy’s former director, Wolfgang Rihm, among many others, with Elim Chan and Baldur Brönnimann also on the podium. A major highlight of the festival will be a tour to Germany, with performances at the Berliner Philharmonie in Berlin and the Isarphilharmonie in Munich, alongside concerts at the festival’s resident venue, KKL Luzern.

Over the past two years, beyond enjoying the breathtaking scenery of Lucerne, Switzerland, I have gained far more than “just” experience in contemporary music. World-renowned conductors, soloists, and composers conducting their own works offer rare and invaluable insights. Hearing composers such as George Benjamin and Beat Furrer rehearse and explain their music from the podium is just exceptional and unforgettable! The Academy is further enriched by experienced tutors from world-class ensembles and orchestras, including Ensemble Intercontemporain and Ensemble Modern, as well as masterclasses, where the Arditti Quartet discussed their work with Pierre Boulez in 2025!

Learn more about the orchestra and the 2026 programme here:

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/lucerne-festival-contemporary-orchestra

Apply to the Academy by following the guidelines here:

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/lucerne-festival-academy/apply

And if you’re wondering about the fees, there are none!

• No application fee

• No enrolment fee

• Travel covered

• Accommodation and local transport provided

• Food subsidies included

Part 2, where I’ll share more about my personal experience at the festival, is coming soon!

Application deadline: 15.02.2026

Know what you are going to experience at the Academy!

Concerts: Rehearsals are intensive and rewarding, with sectionals and tutti led by outstanding tutors. The cello section was coached by Markus Hohti and Eric-Maria Couturier from Ensemble Intercontemporain. Most concerts take place at KKL Luzern, alongside special performances in unique venues, like the outdoor Jukebox concert across the city.

Learning and chamber concerts: Masterclasses, improvisation sessions, and guest-led workshops, plus unforgettable performances at the lakeside Buvette and Ark Nova—the world’s first inflatable concert hall.

Having fun! We enjoy a scenic boat trip on Lake Lucerne and a festive closing BBQ, with free days to explore the city or even hike Mount Pilatus.

World-class concerts: Berliner Philharmoniker, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and Wiener Philharmonike and more often for just CHF 20 or even free, and Berliner Philharmoniker dress rehearsals!

If this excites you as much as it did me, I wholeheartedly encourage you to apply! Feel free to message me if you’d like to know more.

If this interests you, I encourage you to apply. Feel free to message me with any questions!