CHAMBER MUSIC COURSE
Festival of Chapels chamber music course, established in 2020, is for young people with a love of music who wish to expand their musical experiences, whilst absorbing the beauty of their surroundings. The course is open to 20 students, both string and woodwind players. Participants will play a wide range of chamber music in anticipation of the final concert as well as perform their own choice solo in the Chapels.
We are delighted to run this course in Blatten bei Naters and Binn, Valais, and look forward to you joining us in the breathtaking Swiss Alps.
COURSE PROGRAMME
Course outline, dates and cost
For 2025 our repertoire exploration involved works by Hoffman, Bacevitz, Dont, Marcello, Krommer, Haendel, J S Bach, Emilie Mayer George Onslow Ginastera Shostakovitch Nino Rota Handel Moricone and Haydn. Featuring in the solo recitals, which are an essential part of the course, was music by Bach, Telemann, Prokofiev, Britten - amongst others - in the small mountain chapels of Binntal. We wil folow the same agenda in 2026, reading as much music as possible and preparing for the final concert.
On a typical day, the students rehearsed for about 5 hours, with time between rehearsals to explore the surrounding scenery. Rehearsals were combined with a trip to the vita parcours for a taste of fitness training, while entertainment ranged from badminton to table tennis and table football. A day’s outing to view the Aletsch glacier (two hikes this year - 15km and 11km to cater for different stamina levels!) focused minds on the environment, and there were also lounge areas where students could relax and unwind.
For 2026 we will once more base the Festival in the village of Blatten near Naters. The Festival of Chapels has use of a large, secure chalet with space for rehearsals and all our community activities.
I n 2026 we will again give impromptu concerts in the chapels, and the final concert will take place in the parish church of Binn on Sunday 26th July, 2026
Dates and costs.
Course dates: 18 -27 July 2026
Location: Blatten near Naters and Binn, Valais
Switzerland
Costs: CHF 920.00
Early bird discount of 100 Sfr for applications received before january 31st 2026.
10% reduction if you bring a friend who has not yet participated.
Applicants should be between 14 and 24 years old. A short video is required so that we can form homogeneous groups and choose an appropriate repertoire.
To register for the Festival of Chapels 2025 course, please fill in the form below. A deposit of CHF 100 is required upon successful registration.
The price includes coaching, accommodation and meals.
With the support of the Kurt and Silvia Huser-Oesch Foundation
This program has been made possible, in part, with support from ACMP Associated Chamber Music Players.
APPLY NOW - TAKE PART IN THE FESTIVAL OF CHAPELS 2026
To apply for the Festival of Chapels course for 2026.
please fill in your details:
Once your application is successful we require a deposit of 100 CHF (per person in the case of groups) which we will ask for on completion of your application. Reductions will be applied to final invoices for the course on criteria being met:
100 fr reduction - Deposit received before 31st january 2026, and course being attended.
10% for introduction of new participant - Introduce a friend - reduction taken off the introducer’s invoice on completion of course of both parties
We require a deposit of 100 CHF, payable to:
Sounds of Trusera
Bank: Postfinance
Account Number: 15 - 281 223 - 9
(Numéro de compte) (Kontonummer)
IBAN: CH 14 0900 0000 1528 1223 9
BIC (Swift): POFICHBEXXX Sounds of Trusera Mühlebach (Goms)
We will contact you with confirmation of your place and invoice the outstanding amount.
COURSE TUTORS
Returning to the Course for 2026
Following our highly successful course in 2025 we are pleased to announce the return of all the coaching team - Olivier, Nathalie, Sophie and Gwilym. Between them they bring a wealth of knowledge and professional experience to the course.
Franziska, who fed everyone so magically last year, returns to weave her spell over the cooking once more!
Plus DBS checked (UK), First aid qualified, competent pastoral staff.
