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News
What’s happening in Swiss music. Every day, with the source.
Fri, 18 September
Report · Work & money
Music graduates are more often unemployed than average one year after their studies
Among UAS bachelor's graduates, the field of music, theatre and other arts has the highest unemployment rate. At the same time, rural music schools are struggling to find teachers.
Ana Kovač Sources: 2
Brief · Policy & funding · German-speaking Switzerland
Thurgau raises its culture spending by around four million francs a year from 2027
The Thurgau cantonal government has approved its culture strategy for 2027–2030. Contributions from the lottery fund rise from around CHF 13.2 million to around CHF 17.2 million a year.
Mara Zwahlen Sources: 2
People · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
ZHdK graduate Enrico Bassi wins the ARD International Music Competition for bassoon
The bassoonist, who completed his master's at the Zurich University of the Arts in 2024, receives the first prize of 15,000 euros.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2
Thu, 17 September
Brief · Live & festivals · French-speaking Switzerland
Montreux gets a new festival of epic music in March 2027
Helvepic is launching Epic Montreux on 5 and 6 March 2027 at the Auditorium Stravinski. The early-bird price runs until 18 October.
Noémie Favre Sources: 2
Brief · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
Numa Bischof Ullmann will end his tenure at the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra in 2028
After 25 years, Numa Bischof Ullmann will step down as managing director of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra at the end of June 2028. He will stay connected to the orchestra through the piano festival and the foundation.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2
Report · Industry & law
SRG SSR sells its three music stations, and the Swiss music quota only lasts two years
CH Media is taking over Radio Swiss Pop, while Digris will run Radio Swiss Classic and Radio Swiss Jazz. The share of at least 50 per cent Swiss music is only guaranteed for two years.
Ruedi Baumberger Sources: 5
Brief · Releases & charts · French-speaking Switzerland · German-speaking Switzerland
Swiss Music Export sends five acts to its showcase night at Reeperbahn Festival
On 17 September 2026, Swiss Music Export programmed its own night at Indra in Hamburg, featuring Danitsa, Malummí, Moictani, Blanche Biau and Jule X.
Selin Aydın Sources: 2
Brief · Releases & charts · Italian-speaking Switzerland
Valentino Vivace takes 'Oscillare' to Paris
Valentino Vivace, from Ticino, was due to play Paris on 18 September 2026. In October, concerts with a string quartet follow in Zurich and Lausanne.
Selin Aydın Sources: 1
Tue, 15 September
Brief · Work & money · German-speaking Switzerland · French-speaking Switzerland
A symposium in Biel/Bienne focuses on the health of musicians' hands
On 7 November 2026, Swissmedmusica is holding a bilingual event at the Farelsaal in Biel/Bienne. Sonart members pay CHF 30.
Ana Kovač Sources: 2
Brief · Folk, brass & choirs · French-speaking Switzerland
Avenches Tattoo draws 15,000 spectators and sets a record
For its 20th edition, from 3 to 5 September 2026, the Avenches Tattoo drew more people than ever since it has been held on the grounds of the Swiss National Stud Farm.
Theres Zgraggen Sources: 1
Brief · Folk, brass & choirs · German-speaking Switzerland · French-speaking Switzerland
Swiss Wind Band Association awards two second prizes and no first in Baden
At the final of the 11th Conducting Competition, the jury of the Swiss Wind Band Association did not award a first prize. Luca Belz, Romain Gili and Julia Wyser were honoured.
Theres Zgraggen Sources: 2
Report · Industry & law · German-speaking Switzerland · French-speaking Switzerland · Italian-speaking Switzerland
The culture stations of SRF, RTS and RSI are set to work more closely together
The SRG SSR units have set out their savings measures for 2027. The three culture stations are to work more closely together, and RSI plans to cut its contribution to the orchestras of Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Ruedi Baumberger Sources: 3
Mon, 14 September
Brief · Folk, brass & choirs · German-speaking Switzerland
Grindelwald hosts the first Federal Youth Yodelling Festival
From 11 to 13 September 2026, young yodellers, flag throwers and alphorn players gathered in Grindelwald for the first Federal Youth Yodelling Festival. It is set to take place every three years from now on.
Theres Zgraggen Sources: 4
Brief · Releases & charts · German-speaking Switzerland
Shakra enter the Swiss album chart at number one with 'Just Live Loud!'
Hard rock band Shakra topped the Swiss album chart in the week of 13 September 2026. A week later, a different album was already in first place.
Selin Aydın Sources: 3
Brief · Industry & law
The music industry wants distributors to commit to five measures against streaming fraud
Industry body IFPI has launched the ‘Streaming Integrity Initiative’. Distributors are to check rights, identities and content before recordings reach streaming services.
Ruedi Baumberger Sources: 4
Fri, 11 September
Brief · Work & money
Switzerland has more cultural businesses than ever, but fewer people work in them
In 2024 there were 69,441 cultural businesses, more than at any time since 2011. Employment, by contrast, fell for the first time since 2020.
Ana Kovač Sources: 2
Thu, 10 September
People · Education & young talent · German-speaking Switzerland
Kendrick Scott and Savannah Harris teach drums in Basel
Two new professors of drums and ensembles at the Institut Jazz of the Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW.
Luca Bernasconi Sources: 2
Wed, 9 September
Report · Releases & charts · German-speaking Switzerland · French-speaking Switzerland
Swiss Music Export presents five new albums from Switzerland
7EMA, Soft Loft, Naveni, Linda Wolf and The Gardener & The Tree have new albums out. Swiss Music Export presented them on 9 September 2026.
Selin Aydın Sources: 5
Tue, 8 September
Report · Education & young talent · Italian-speaking Switzerland
The Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana starts the year with the 2027 cuts ahead
The federal government and the canton plan to reduce their contributions from 2027. The CSI's music school says the new DECS model does not adequately cover the overall cost of tuition.
Luca Bernasconi Sources: 3
Sun, 6 September
Brief · Live & festivals · French-speaking Switzerland
Chant du Gros dips slightly and runs for four days in 2027
Around 43,000 people came to Le Noirmont, down from more than 45,000 last year. For its 35th anniversary, the Jura festival will last four days.
Noémie Favre Sources: 1
Fri, 4 September
Brief · Policy & funding · Italian-speaking Switzerland
Ticino pays municipalities up to CHF 30,000 a year for independent-scene spaces
The canton of Ticino covers up to half the costs for four years when municipalities provide spaces for the independent cultural scene. Applications are open until 1 December 2026.
Mara Zwahlen Sources: 2
Thu, 3 September
Brief · Policy & funding · French-speaking Switzerland · German-speaking Switzerland
Valais gives around 4,000 young people a free culture pass
The canton of Valais is giving every young person born in 2010 and living in the canton an AG culturel culture pass. The vouchers must be activated by 31 December 2026.
Mara Zwahlen Sources: 2
Wed, 2 September
Brief · Industry & law
The Federal Council will consider streaming rules if there is no industry deal by mid-2027
On streaming services, the Federal Council is relying first on an agreement with the music industry. If that fails by mid-2027, it wants to consider legislation.
Ruedi Baumberger Sources: 3
Tue, 1 September
Brief · Policy & funding · French-speaking Switzerland
Vaud and Geneva continue funding labels and publishers in French-speaking Switzerland in 2027
The cantons of Vaud and Geneva and the cities of Lausanne and Geneva are opening their joint funding programme for labels and music publishers for the second time. The deadline is 25 October 2026.
Mara Zwahlen Sources: 2