Soloist Academy, an intensive annual workshop in July, conceived by internationally renowned soloists and musicians from L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande motivated by the desire to share their art with young professionals, not only to develop technical and musical mastery, but also to cultivate reflection on the chamber music repertoire and the musical vocation.
Ideally situated at the foot of the Jura mountains and only ten minutes by car from Geneva airport, the Academy and its festival take place in the calm setting of Pays de Gex. Our venues include Conservatoire de Ferney-Voltaire, the Ferney-Voltaire Château and Mediatheque as well as Fort l’Ecluse, a remarkable example of military architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries on a steep mountainside.
A series of concerts, thematic classes, Jam concerts and masterclasses for different instruments are featured throughout the programme. Recitals and chamber music evenings are enabled by the participation of guest soloists joining with the professors, residents and students of the Academy.
JAM – Improvised classical concerts
A specificity of the Academy and musical challenge, which always generates enthusiasm and excitement, the improvised concerts are inspired by the jam sessions of jazz. In this unique and original project the students are invited to prepare lists of « standards », i.e. the most well-known chamber music works for their instrument. The program chosen is announced the morning of the concert and each participant can discover their partners in a public performance without prior preparation or rehearsal – a daunting feat requiring audacity and steady nerves which permits players to validate their mastery of the repertoire and share it with a benevolent but demanding audience.
Young musicians
Perhaps for the first time in music history, students come not only to learn from the professors, but to teach them… In a concert hall! Artists as young as seven years old perform concerts just like the Pros. It is time now to try out your potential on the big stage alongside renowned musicians!
Open master classes
The spirit of the Academy is represented by playing (in every way) in collective musical-interpretive lessons enlivened by the presence of a keenly listening audience.
Guest artists
In parallel to the ties woven between teachers and students during these ten days, guest artists will also appear and dialog with participants giving their view of the accomplishments and bringing their pedagogical contribution.
Soliciting individual reflection
Going beyond the usual realm of summer workshops designed to improve students’ performances for concerts, auditions or competitions, the Academy participants are stimulated to develop a personal approach to their instrument and its associated chamber works as well as to the musical profession in a series of evening meetings which permit them to exchange among themselves and with the professors, to address profoundly questions of technique, aesthetics, or humanity posed by a certain piece, composer or aesthetic universe.
Les Salons D.C.
Dynamic Culture, or “D.C.” is the credo of the association “Les Salons D.C.” Les Salons D.C. are open to all: from neophytes to music lovers.The organiser of the “Salons”, “Friends of the Soloist Academy” invites you to a series of meetings with a renowned artist. The objective of the “Salons” is to create a real exchange between the public and the artist. The latter will share their story by playing their favourite songs and talking with the audience.
Les Salons D.C. invites “classical” and jazz musicians, ballet and hip-hop dancers as well as many artists from different cultural fields to inspire us by revealing the hidden corners of their rich personality.
Artistic Research
Soloist Academy has been known for its courageous experimental spirit. It all started with Jam sessions, inheriting the improvising tradition from jazz culture. Then came a close work with dancers that inspire us with their choreographies and improvisations: classical and modern ballet, hip-hop, breakdance and others.
On top of it we mix genres that are situated wide apart: jazz, classical and contemporary music, hip-hop, literature and painting. Why? That is the way to open up to the vast world of Art and invite the audience to dance with us to the music of Beethoven and Miles Davis, Debussy and Carl Cox.
Low tuition fees
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners we can offer this workshop for a very symbolic price to active participants as well as auditors, thus permitting qualified musicians to take part regardless of financial considerations. (A modest sum is required, however, to cover the administrative costs as well as the collective evening meals).
