verbierfestival

Up to four young conductors are accepted to the Orchestras Conducting Programme. They take part in section training led by the coaches of the Verbier Festival Orchestra (VFO), as well as tutti rehearsals led by Petri Sakari, the VFO Preparatory Conductor. They will, where possible, collaborate with Maestro Sakari as he prepares the VFO for its Festival performances. Throughout the Festival, Conducting Fellows may perform assistant conductor duties for guest conductors of the VFO, Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (VFCO) Music Director Gábor Takács-Nagy, and other visiting VFCO conductors.

Other activities include: 

• A mentorship meeting with Festival Founder & Director Martin T:son Engstroem 
• A roundtable discussion with Gabór Takács-Nagy, VFCO Music Director 
• Personal meetings with guest conductors
• Public performances of small ensemble works when possible 

This is a largely self-directed programme, and participants with flexibility, openness and personal-initiative will benefit the most from the many opportunities that are presented. Conducting Fellows are urged to attend and take part in as many activities as possible during their time at the Festival.

programme dates

includes arrival and departure dates

2024

2 July – 5 August 2024

2025

1 July – 4 August 2025

how to apply

Applications to our 2024 programmes have now closed. Applications for the 2025 edition of the Conducting Programme will open in early October 2024.

Please read the guidelines at the following link before sending any questions to the Verbier Festival Team.

mentors 2024

Charles Dutoit
Daniel Harding
Klaus Mäkelä
Antonio Pappano
Tarmo Peltokoski
Vassily Petrenko
Sir Simon Rattle
Lahav Shani
Gabór Takács-Nagy  Music Director, VFCO

repertoire highlights 2024

GUSTAV MAHLER
Symphonies No. 3 and No. 5

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Le nozze di Figaro K. 492

OTTORINO RESPHIGI
Trittico Botticelliano

RICHARD STRAUSS
Don Quixote Op. 35

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
The Nutcracker Op. 71 (Act II)