Verbier Festival Conducting Programme: Deadline 01/18/2024

Deadline: Thursday, January 18th, 2024 11:59pm EST

Guidelines

CONDUCTING PROGRAMME

Please read the following guidelines carefully before beginning your application to the Orchestras Conducting Programme and before sending any questions to the Verbier Festival Team.

THE LANGUAGE OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION IS ENGLISH.

1. WHO MAY APPLY
2. HOW TO APPLY
3. APPLICATION FEE
4. PROGRAMME DATES
5. PROGRAMME EXPENSES
6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
7. CONTACT

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1. WHO MAY APPLY

Applicants to the Orchestras Conducting Programme must be aged 25 to 35 on 1 July 2024, and can be of any nationality, coming from any part of the world.

Up to four conductors may be accepted to the programme. Successful candidates may be re-invited for a second year in the programme at the discretion of the Orchestras management. 

Candidates must be able to speak English.

2. PROGRAMME DATES

Unless otherwise negotiated with Orchestras management, successful candidates are required to sign an agreement with the Fondation du Verbier Festival committing to the entire Verbier Festival Orchestras summer session from 2 July to 5 August 2024.

3. HOW TO APPLY

Applications to the Conducting Programme are submitted through the getAcceptd on-line platform.  Google Chrome is recommended as browser for use with the platform : https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/

The language of application documentation is English.

Deadline: 18 January 2024

All candidates must provide:

• Contact information (name, address, etc.)
• Application Information
  • Date of birth, nationality, etc.
  • School history
  • Audience engagement experience (i.e. list previous outreach experience or projects undertaken to engage a new audience for classical music).  if you have no experience in this area, please leave the answer box empty.

• Uploads/Audition
  • Passport/ID
  • CV describing academic, professional and other relevant experience
  • Photo/headshot (landscape orientation)
  • A short biography (no longer than 150 words in English or French)
  • YouTube links or video uploads of:
    • Self-presentation video answering 1) Why should you be considered for the Verbier Festival Academy? AND/OR 2) Describe one of your most memorable musical experiences.
      Please present yourself in English to the best of your ability. Videos should be no longer than approximately 3 minutes.
    • Live unedited videos of conducting performances 
      
• At least one recommendation letter / email address of reference
• Payment of application fee (by credit card only)
  

4. APPLICATION FEE

All candidates are required to pay a USD 70 non-refundable application fee. This fee is accepted by credit card only through the getacceptd application platform.

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Festival, application fees will be waived for the following candidates:

• Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation Scholarship holders
• Swiss Citizens born or resident in the Cantons of Bern, Geneva, Juras, Neuchâtel, Valais or Vaud
• Ukrainian Citizens
• Russian Citizens

To obtain this exemption, please send proof of eligibility (i.e. a scan of your passport, a letter proving your canton of residence or proof of your affiliation with the CMK Foundation) to the following address: orchestras@verbierfestival.com.

5. COSTS FOR SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES

The Verbier Festival will cover the cost of return travel (i.e., both the arrival and return journeys) from each musician’s place of residence to Verbier.

Should a musician require a different travel routing, he/she will be responsible to organise, and pay for, his/her own travel; the Festival will reimburse up to the equivalent cost of a return travel ticket from the musician’s place of residence to Verbier (this amount is decided in March 2024, and reflects the price of tickets on 2 July and 5 August 2024). Students are be reimbursed for travel costs after the Festival.

The Verbier Festival also covers all training/tuition costs, provides lodging, lunches and dinners, plus a stipend for daily breakfasts.

6. REFUND POLICY

The Verbier Festival will cover the cost of return travel (i.e., both the arrival and return journeys) from each musician’s place of residence to Verbier.

7. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I will be younger than 25 or older than 35 on 1 July 2024
Unfortunately we cannot accept applications from applicants younger or older than the stated requirements. 

Q: May my CV be in a language other than English?
Yes, we accept CV’s in English, French, German and Italian.

8. CONTACT

Camille Coisne
Orchestras Assistant