Application requirements

Age limits

12 – 24 years (strings)

16 – 24 years (piano), chamber music experience condition

Language

It is required of every candidate to possess some ability in either German or English.

Application

A complete application consists of:

The application form (PDF)
a recent photo
Audition (YouTube link only)
Bank receipt for the payment of the application fee CHF 80 / CHF 100

Application Form
The application form must be filled out in full and sent to the Director with cc: the Manager by email (PDF, no scans or JPGs). Please try to include everything in ONE email.

Auditions (no mandatory pieces)
Strings: 2 pieces of choice

Piano: 2 pieces of choice

Only Youtube recordings with direct link will be accepted. The audition material must be sent at the same time as the application, not afterwards.

Pieces of choice

Strings: from one's current repertoire

Piano: solo pieces, no accompaniments or sonatas with other

instruments

Closing date for application/Application fee

There are two closing dates for application:

February 15: all parts of the application including the audition link and the application fee of CHF 80

March 1: all parts of the application including the audition link and the application fee of CHF 100

It is advisable to send the application as early as possible and to profit from the lower application fee. The application fee must be sent at the same time and will not be refunded whether the candidate is accepted or not. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Procedure for selection of candidates and notification of acceptance

Applicants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance shortly after March 1 by email. Applicants must be available by email and must check their emails regularly, especially between March 1st and March 15th..

Directly following notification of acceptance, applicants MUST confirm their participation within 24 hours by email, otherwise they risk their invitation.

Applicants are accepted for the entire two weeks only.

Cancellation

It goes without saying that accepted applicants will definitely participate in Astona. In the case of a cancellation, fees will be refunded based on the reasons for as well as the time of cancellation.

Fees

application fee

CHF 80 / CHF 100

Candidates whose application reaches the director before February 15 pay an application fee of CHF 80.

For applications between February 15 and March 1, the application fee is CHF 100. Early applications are encouraged.

The application fee will not be returned even if the candidate is not accepted.

The application fee must be paid even if the candidate is applying for a scholarship.

Applications without payment of the application fee will not be considered. The application fee is non-refundable, no matter whether the candidate is accepted or not.

Course fee
CHF 1'850

This includes all costs for the course programme, accommodation and full board.

The full course fee is CHF 2'500. The cost of accommodation and catering at Sonnenberg alone is CHF 1'960. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, these costs can be covered by Astona. Students therefore only pay the tuition fees.

These include the entire course programme: private lessons, coaching in chamber music, orchestra rehearsals/performances, performance preparation for house concerts and any concert appearances.

Travel expenses, pocket money and health insurance

must be assumed by the students .

Scholarships

Scholarships are very limited and are awarded only to students who are truly dependent upon them. The student must submit a request for the scholarship form TO THE DIRECTOR prior to sending the application. This form must be filled out in full and included with the application materials. The awarding of scholarships will be decided at the time the applications are processed. An applications for scholarship AFTER being notified of acceptance will not be considered.

Payments
The payment of the course fee must arrive in the Astona account by latest May 1.

Payment method / Account information

The application and the course fees must be remitted by bank transfer to the Astona account:

UBS Switzerland AG, 8070 Zurich

IID: 00230 BIC: UBSWCHZH80A

Holder of account: Verein Astona,

Artherstrasse 167a, 6317 Oberwil, Switzerland

IBAN: CH91 0025 2252 1421 9501 E

Please note: All bank fees must be assumed by the applicant. Please be sure to arrange this with the bank. Checks will not be accepted.

Closing dates for payments

Application fee: with the application

Course fee: by latest May 1st, 2026