About Us

Soloist Academy, an intensive ten-day summer workshop in late 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 a calm setting conducive to quality working conditions at the Château de Ferney-Voltaire and at Fort l’Ecluse, a remarkable example of military architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries on a steep mountainside. Master classes for clarinet, cello, piano, violin, viola, bassoon and oboe as well as a series of concerts are featured throughout the program. Recitals and chamber music evenings are enabled by the participation of guest soloists joining with the professors 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.

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.

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.

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).