The first Horn Academy was initiated in 1997. After a 3 year lapse, the Academy has been organised every 2 years. Since participating in the Academy, many students have gone on to take up leading positions in a number of world-wide national orchestras. In 2004 many students came who competed in the Geneva Horn Competition later on in November that year, and one of them, Eliz Erkalp went on to win the 2nd prize.

The week consists of daily master classes with groups of 5 – 6 students working with one teacher. Every student will work individually with the teacher while the others listen and take note of comments concerning technique, breathing, interpretation etc which could be appropriate to them all. The students rotate in their groups so that everyone has a chance to work with each teacher.

Other student activities include ensemble playing, under the supervision and conducting of one of the teachers, preparing a work for the end of the week’s concert, and, weather permitting a “mini” outdoor concert in the town’s market place. Of course, there is time for practising and playing with other students, so bring your music along.

Teachers and guests from previous years:

 - Thomas Müller, prof. of natural horn at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis,
 - Michael Hoeltzel, influential teacher, soloist and conductor

 - Claudio Pontiggia, teacher, jazz horn artist
 - Hermann Baumann, virtuoso horn player and eminent teacher

 - Ivo Gass, principal horn, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
 - Esa Tapani, outstanding orchestral and chamber musicien, teacher at Frankfurt am Main

 - Christian Lampert, professeur in Basel and Stuttgart
 - Michel Garçin-Marrou, renowned player, previous prof. in Paris and Lyon conservatories

 - Christian Holenstein, 1st horn Bern Symphony Orchestra: advice on preparing auditions
- Maria Rubio Navarro, 1st horn Valencia orchestra, invited guest Berlin Philharmonica, teacher and soloist

- Johannes Otter, teacher at Hochshule der Künste, Bern and renowned orchestral and chamber hornist

This year's teachers:

• Bruno Schneider
• Thomas Müller
• Benoit de Barsony