Photo © Chandra Mäder

Masterclasses with Johannes Schlaefli

The masterclasses are for professional conductors and advanced conducting students and take place with various high-quality orchestras from Switzerland and Europe.

Offer:

  • Generous podium time, number of participants: 6-12 persons
  • Participation in all rehearsals, lessons and coaching of all other participants
  • Topics: Hands-on score analysis, discussion of interpretive approaches, rehearsal techniques, video analysis, conducting technique, work on leadership style, peer-group learning.
  • On the last day of the masterclass, there are final concerts or masterclass days open to the public
  • Participants organize their own sheet music

Participants will be selected by means of a video recording process. The registration fee is 80 CHF (non-refundable)

Teaching language:

English, German


It is a unique opportunity to take a master class with one of the most patient and wise professors, Johannes Schlaefli, and musicians of the highest level.

Izabelė Jankauskaitė

The Masterclasses:

Masterclass Zürich
November 6-7, 2026

Application deadline: August 30, 2026

Orchestra: Alumniorchestra Zürich
Place:
Zürich
Participants:
6
Works:
Strauss: Death and Transfiguration
Tchaikovsky: Violin concerto 1st movement

Further information

Apply here

Masterclass Basel
November 9 - 11, 2026

Application deadline: August 30, 2026

Orchestra: Ensemble by Basel Chamber Orchestra
Place: Cultural Center Don Bosco, Basel
Participants: 6
Works:
Copland: Appalachian Spring for 13 Instruments
Brahms: Serenade Nr. 1 op. 11 (arranged for ensemble by David Walter)

Further information

Apply here

Masterclass Basel
February 25 - 28, 2027

Application deadline: December 6, 2026

Orchestra: Basel Chamber Orchestra
Place: Cultural Center Don Bosco, Basel
Participants: 6
Works:
Mozart: Symphony nr 39
Mussorgsky: pictures of an exhibition (arr. Gale Joolz)
Bruckner: Symphony nr 4, 1st + 2nd movement (arr. Fergus McAlpine)

Further information coming soon

Masterclass Nürnberg
March 30 - April 2, 2026

Orchestra: Nürnberger Symphoniker
Place: Bayernstrasse 100, Nürnberg
Participants: 10
Works: NN

Further information coming soon

Masterclass Bochum
April 12 - 16, 2026

Orchestra: Bochumer Symphoniker
Place: Marienplatz 1, Bochum
Participants: 6
Works: NN

Further information coming soon

Further Classes with Johannes Schlaefli

Please use the links to apply for the following courses.

Masterclass Sofia
July 12 - 18, 2026

Application process closed.

Orchestra: Allegra Festival Orchestra Sofia
Place:  Sofia, Bulgaria
Participants: 14
Works:
Brahms: Violin Concerto
Brahms: Symphony nr 3; 1st movement
Dvorak: Symphony nr 7; 1st movement
Beethoven: Egmont ouverture
Strauss: Gipsy baron ouverture

Further information

Masterclass Radolfzell
September 15 - 20, 2026

Application process closed.

Orchestra: Bodensee Philharmonie Konstanz
Place: Radolfzell and Konstanz
Participants: 6
Works:
Beethoven Ouverture Loenore 3
Sibelius: Violin Concerto; 1st movement
Brahms: Symphony nr 3; 1st movement
Dvorak: Symphony nr 7; 2nd movement
Kodaly: Dances of Galanta

Further information

Masterclass Sofia
February 7 - 14, 2027

 

Orchestra: Allegra Festival Orchestra Sofia, Bulgaria
Place: Sofia, Bulgaria
Participants: 12
Works:
Beethoven 2nd symphony
Brahms double-concerto
and other works

Further information coming soon

Murcia Myrtus Conducting Masterclass
April 24 - 28, 2027

 

Further information coming soon