Application period: Summer 2025

Assistant conductor position and conducting week

Conducting week for young conductors with the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester under the direction of chief conductor Michael Sanderling. At the end of the course, one of the participating candidates will be selected for the paid position of Assistant Conductor for the 2026/27 season. The course is primarily aimed at conductors studying in Switzerland and applicants with European citizenship.

The workshop is designed to give young conductors the opportunity to work with a professional orchestra at the highest level and to gain valuable practical experience The course will conclude with a public concert on 20th November 2025, conducted by selected participants. A maximum of five candidates will be admitted as active participants, alongside passive participants who are welcome to observe the course. The age limit for applying is 35 years.

Dates:

Online-application deadline (on muvac)
24 August 2025

Workshop in the Orchesterhaus of Luzerner Sinfonieorchester
17–20 November 2025

Public final concert, conducted by selected participant
20 November 2025

Conducting week repertoire:

César Franck (1822 – 1890)
Symphony in D minor – 3rd movement

Aaron Copland (1900 – 1990)
Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, Harp and Piano – 2nd movement

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
Fidelio, Op. 72: Overture

After completion of the Conducting Week, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester intends to offer the position of Assistant Conductor to one of the participants. Please note that only applicants who meet one of the following requirements can be considered:

a)  You are studying in Switzerland and hold a valid residence and work permit allowing you to engage in employment in Switzerland.
b)  You are a Swiss citizen residing in an EU/EFTA member state.
c)  You are a citizen of an EU/EFTA member state residing in one of these countries. In this case, a valid A1 certificate is required in order to work in Switzerland.

The selection will be made by the artistic committee under the direction of Michael Sanderling.

The Conducting Week and the assistant conductor position are made possible through the generous support of a Swiss private foundation.

Application Information

Online-application deadline: 24 August 2025
Application details and online registration available on muvac

Required material and documents for applying:

1) Applicants are asked to submit a video recording of two pieces of their choice. The camera should be positioned from the orchestra’s side, focusing on the conductor. The video does not need to be professionally produced, but it must have adequate sound and image quality. The total duration should be at least 10 minutes.
The recording may be taken during a concert, rehearsal, or teaching situation; however, it should ideally not contain any spoken passages.
In addition, applicants are required to submit a short video statement in which they introduce themselves and explain their motivation for conducting in general, as well as their specific interest in the position of Assistant Conductor at the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester. This statement can be recorded in either German or English.
Both videos must be uploaded to Muvac and titled “Luzerner Sinfonieorchester Workshop Application.”

2) Scan of Passport or ID Card

3) Biography (in text form)

4) High-resolution photo of the applicant

5) Contact details

Conductors up to and including the age of 35, who have sufficient conducting experience, are interested in both the workshop and the assistant conductor position and meet one of the following requirements:

a) You are studying in Switzerland and hold a valid residence and work permit allowing you to engage in employment in Switzerland.

b) You are a Swiss citizen residing in an EU/EFTA member state.

c) You are a citizen of an EU/EFTA member state residing in one of these countries. In this case, a valid A1 certificate is required in order to work in Switzerland.
The workshop is generously supported by a Swiss non-profit foundation. All participation and accommodation costs in Lucerne are covered by the organizer. Travel expenses to Lucerne will be reimbursed up to CHF 500 per person upon presentation of receipts.

Meals, required scores, and costs related to the video application must be covered by the applicants themselves.
Each candidate will receive at least two extended rehearsal sessions with the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester under the direction of Michael Sanderling. All candidates must prepare the entire workshop repertoire at the highest professional level. The assignment of repertoire will be announced shortly before the workshop begins. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory for both active and passive participants.
Following the fourth rehearsal, selected candidates will conduct the public final concert on 20 November 2025.
If the workshop is completed successfully, one of the participants will be offered a paid position as Assistant Conductor for the 2026/27 season.
Specific projects and responsibilities will be agreed upon following the official appointment. The honorarium will depend on the scope of the assigned projects.
One of the main tasks of the Assistant Conductor is to support Chief Conductor Michael Sanderling in his daily work. This includes attending rehearsals, preparing programs and scores, and assisting with recordings. The role may also include working with guest conductors.
In addition, the Assistant Conductor will be offered the opportunity to conduct a symphony concert at the KKL Lucerne during the 2026/27 season and to work with the orchestra throughout the year – for example, by leading sectional rehearsals or stepping in at short notice if required.