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verbierfestival

Orchestras: VFO

The Verbier Festival Orchestra (VFO) is a rite of passage for today’s exceptional young orchestra musicians. It has brought together rising talents with the foremost conductors and soloists of our time for more then 20 years, earning it the reputation as one of the best training orchestras on the planet.

The VFO includes 98 musicians aged 18 to 28 who receive intensive coaching by players from the world’s top orchestras. These mentors prepare the musicians for three weeks of rehearsals and concerts led by some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. VFO alumni have gone on to join leading orchestras around the world, including Berlin, Israel, New York and Vienna Philharmonics, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and Tonhalle Orchester Zürich.


programme dates

includes arrival and departure dates

30 June – 4 August 2025

how to apply

Applications to the Verbier Festival Orchestra 2025 programme open on 10 October 2024.

Candidates must read the guidelines before starting their application or sending any questions to the Verbier Festival Team.

guidelines

apply

Application Deadlines:
Live Auditions: 12.12.2024 (23:59 EST)
Video Auditions: 16.01.2025 (23:59 EST)


repertoire 2025

The VFO performs six concerts during the 2025 Verbier Festival. Repertoire highlights include:

GUSTAV MAHLER
Symphony No. 1

PIETRO MASCAGNI
Cavalleria Rusticana

GIACOMO PUCCINI
Gianni Schicchi

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphony No. 5

IGOR STRAVINSKY
The Firebird

conductors / mentors 2025

Teodor Currentzis
Barbara Hannigan
Manfred Honeck
Paavo Järvi
Fabio Luisi
Klaus Mäkelä


coaches 2025

In preparation for work with the orchestra’s distinguished guest conductors, VFO musicians receive intensive coaching from players from the world’s top orchestras.

Liviu Prunaru violin
Concertmaster, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Kirill Terentiev violin
Concertmaster, Staatsorchester Rheinische

Désirée Elsevier viola
Ancienne Membre, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Dora Figueroa cello
Associate principal Cello, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Maren Reck double bass
Principal Bass, Malmö Symphony Orchestra

Dieter Flury flute
Former Principal Flute, Wiener Philharmoniker

Nathan Hughes oboe
Principal Oboe, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra 

Philippe Berrod clarinet
Principal Clarinet, Orchestre de Paris

Lola Descours bassoon
Principal Bassoon, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Stefan de Leval Jezierski horn
Former High Horn, Berliner Philharmoniker

Bill Williams trumpet
Guest principal, soloist, performance coach

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
Coach, Barenboim-Said Akademie