The Verbier Festival Orchestra (VFO) is a rite of passage for today’s exceptional young musicians. Since its founding in 2000, the VFO has brought together rising talents with the foremost conductors and soloists of our time, and has since earned a reputation as one of the best training orchestras on the planet.
The VFO includes 99 musicians aged 18 to 28 who receive intensive coaching from players from the world’s top ensembles. These mentors prepare the musicians for three weeks of rehearsals and concerts led by some of the world’s most renowned conductors. VFO alumni have since gone on to join the most prestigious orchestras in the world, including the Berlin, Israel, New York and Vienna Philharmonics, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Tonhalle Orchester Zürich.
programme dates
includes arrival and departure dates
28 June – 2 August 2027
how to apply
Applications for the Verbier Festival Orchestra open on 7 October 2026
Please read the guidelines by clicking the link below before starting your application or sending any questions to the Verbier Festival team.
Application documentation is available in English only.
guidelinesrepertoire highlights 2027
The VFO performs six concerts during the Verbier Festival 2027. Repertoire highlights include:
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”
RICHARD STRAUSS
Eine Alpensinfonie
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 9
EDGARD VARÈSE
Amériques
GUSTAV MAHLER
Symphony No. 5
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Symphony No. 5
conductors / mentors 2027
Teodor Currentzis
Daniele Gatti
Daniel Harding
Klaus Mäkelä
Simon Rattle
Lahav Shani
coaches 2027
In preparation for work with the orchestra’s distinguished guest conductors, VFO musicians receive intensive coaching from conductors and players from the world’s top ensembles.
TBC rehearsal conductor
TBC rehearsal conductor
Clare Duckworth violin
London Symphony Orchestra
Liviu Prunaru violin
Concertmaster, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Désirée Elsevier viola
Former Member, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Dora Figueroa cello
Co-Principal Cello, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Maren Reck double bass
Principal Double Bass, Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Dieter Flury flute
Former Principal Flute, Wiener Philharmoniker
Nathan Hughes oboe
Principal Oboe, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Sergio Pires clarinet
Principal Clarinet, London Symphony Orchestra
Lola Descours bassoon
Principal Bassoon, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Stefan de Leval Jezierski horn
Former Member, high horn, Berliner Philharmoniker
Frédéric Mellardi trumpet
Principal Trumpet, Orchestre de Paris
Filipe Alves trombone
Principal Trombone, Staatskapelle Berlin
Sarah Verrue harp
Principal Harp, Tonhalle Orchester Zürich
Fedor Khandrikov percussion
Timpanist, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra
Christoph Bacher Alexander Technique
Barenboim-Said Akademie