Lucerne Festival Academy Coaches
As part of the reorganisation of the Lucerne Festival Academy’s coaching structure, we are seeking new coaches to join the Academy. These roles are two-year positions, covering the Lucerne Festival Academy 2026 and 2027. Note that this system replaces the existing Lucerne Festival Contemporary Leaders structure.
We are currently looking for coaches to fill the following instrumental roles:
- Violin (2), Double Bass (1)
- Flute (1), Clarinet (1), Bassoon (1)
- Trumpet (1), Trombone/Tuba (1)
- Percussion (1)
- Piano (1)
The Lucerne Festival Academy 2026 will take place between August 7 - 30. Coaches will be present for approximately 5 - 10 days each depending on the repertoire requirements. The exact working dates are negotiable and will be confirmed by January 2026.
Role description
- Part of the pedagogical faculty for the Lucerne Festival Academy 2026 and 2027. This includes the following activities to be undertaken in collaboration with your section colleagues (dates given apply to the 2026 academy):
- Selection of audition repertoire (in October 2025)
- Selection of guest coaches (October 2025)
- Selection of academists (February/March 2026)
- Assignment of academists according to the academy repertoire (April/May 2026)
- For string coaches: creation of bowings for the academy repertoire (May/June 2026)
- Coachings, sectionals, masterclasses (depending on scheduling) and supervising tutti rehearsals during the Academy (August 2026).
- Responding to instrument-specific questions regarding academists and repertoires as and when they arise (ongoing)
- Invitations to perform in concert opportunities that might arise for coaches during the 2026 and 2027 Summer Festivals (40min concerts, special programmes, etc.)
- Invitations to perform in Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra (LFCO) projects that take place in 2026 and 2027 outside of the Summer Festival (excluding those that may be geographically limited for financial and/or ecological reasons), for example, as part of the new festival that will replace the current Forward Festival from November 2026 (depending on required instrumentation).
- Selection of (fellow) LFCO performers in the above listed performance opportunities
Fee (subject to change)
- Administrative work (selection of audition repertoire, guest coaches, academists, player assignments, bowings, emails and other communication, etc.): CHF 37 / hour
- Pedagogical work (at the LFA): CHF 400 / day (two three-hour services per day) plus allowance for travel and accommodation
- Performance work (other LFCO opportunities): CHF 370 / day (two three-hour services per day) plus allowance for travel and accommodation
Skill profile (essential)
- Demonstrable long-term commitment to contemporary music (from 1945 onwards)
- Demonstrable pedagogical experience and/or training at college level or higher
- Desire to deepen, innovate, and diversify the role of young classical musicians, with a passion for sharing the music of today with student and young professional musicians from around the world
- For string players: orchestral experience in leadership positions
- Commitment to the above listed working periods (confirmed dates will be confirmed with a minimum of six months notice)
- Fluent leadership, organisation, teamwork, and mentoring skills in English
Skill profile (desired)
- Orchestral experience (particularly within contemporary music)
- Chamber orchestra and ensemble experience (particularly within contemporary music)
- Fluent leadership, organisation, teamwork, and mentoring skills in languages in addition to English
Application requirements
- Speech to camera (1.5-2 mins) explaining your motivation for the position (in English)
- Free choice recording (ca. 5-10 mins) of any music written since 1945 (solo, chamber music, or a mixture of both), made within the last two years
- Curriculum Vitae (in English)
The selection will be made by Lucerne Festival Team.
Application deadline: 13 October 2025
The closing date for applications is 13.10.2025.