13 edition of Saarburg Festival  Preliminary dates: July 15 – July 29, 2024

We have chosen the name “Saarburger Serenaden” to reflect an incredibly romantic environment. We would like to extend our warmest welcome to the musicians of various cultures, ethnic and musical backgrounds, gender and age. We sincerely hope that the time spent in Saarburg will be productive, enjoyable and memorable for all of us.

Students participate in an intensive two-week program offering a fantastic performing experience and training with the festival’s distinguished music faculty, comprised of many of the world’s renowned performers and teachers. A unique opportunity awaits students who are ready for professional performances and would like to perform in historic halls.

Although we select a broad variety of chamber music works, a special feature of the program is our commitment to expanding the horizon of the students and our audiences through introduction of neglected and rarely performed musical gems. 

It is our repertoire policy NOT to duplicate the standard repertoire included into curriculum of the music colleges, conservatories and universities.

Pre-formed chamber groups are encouraged to apply (we grant each member of preformed chamber group of 3 members or more 150 euro Discount under condition that all members of the group submitted complete Application, including non-refundable Registration fee and non-refundable Deposit within Deadline schedule: January 31, 2024 for the non-refundable Registration fee and March 1, 2024 for non-refundable Deposit) . The preformed chamber group should consist of minimum 3 members and demonstrate a record of a reasonable term of working/performing together. Members of Preformed Chamber group who received 150 euro discount are not eligible for any additional Financial aid.

Private lessons and chamber music coachings are led by the world-class international faculty. Pianists collaborate with other instrumentalists and singers (subject to availability of the vocal component in a given season).

The focal point of the festival is Chamber Music and nurturing of the collaborative skills.

Solo opportunities (scheduling solo selection in one of the concerts; duos are considered as Solo opportunity for two outstanding level performers)  are reserved for the outstanding talents determined by the artistic leadership of the festival after evaluation of the audition recordings (designation of the student) in consultation with the faculty (choice of solo piece). Students interested exclusively in solo opportunities are discouraged from applying.

Chamber music groups will be assigned based on the evaluation of participant´s Audition recording, as well as faculty classifications, and will be grouped by ability level.

Each Student will receive repertoire assignments at least 6 weeks ahead of the the program start.

Aside from Saarburg Festival-organized programs there is the opportunity to arrange extra individual or chamber lessons with any faculty member at an additional charge.

Saarburg International Music Festival participants are advanced students from best conservatories, colleges and high schools of the North and South America, Europe,  Asia, Australia and New Zealand. We accept also some outstanding young musicians (ages 9 through 14), if we have at least 3-4 of them on various instruments, capable of handling chamber music assignments.

Devoted music amateurs and some aspiring active professionals are also welcomed. There is no official restriction of the age.

Students are encouraged to attend all concerts and take advantage of performance opportunities.

Notifications of soloists, chamber music groups (determined upon evaluation of audition recording), and repertoire are e-mailed to each participant at least six  weeks before the festival. All students concert appearances are subject to faculty approval and at the discretion of the festival organizers.

Everyone is required to arrive with their parts learned at a performing level and ready for rehearsal/coaching immediately. Due to a shortness of the preparation time in Saarburg and significant amount of the repertoire we need to properly rehearse and coach, there is only time for working on polishing fine details, as well as improve the cohesiveness of the chamber groups. The program does not envision learning the music in Saarburg.

Participants are expected to stay in Saarburg for the full two weeks, without absences.

We kindly ask ALL Festival guests (participants, faculty, guest artists and long term visitors) to refrain from direct contacting the hotels regarding any booking issues. This is sole responsibility of the festival. The long term (from 3 days on) visitors related to any Festival participant or faculty are requested not to use any of the internet search engines to book the accommodations but to follow the Festival´s clearly outlined “Visitors” policy.

For the students with Active-performing status the program will consist of:

• Individual lessons (for all participants); these lessons are dedicated primarily to working on chamber music assignments to be performed during the Festival and not for any outside repertoire.
• Chamber music coaching (for all participants)
• Free attendance and active participation in Studio classes of any Faculty
• Free consultation with any Faculty
• Individual coaching (for singers) not this summer
• Opera ensemble coaching (for singers) not this summer
• Stagecraft classes (for singers) not this summer
• French, Italian, German diction (daily group lessons for all participants; obligatory for singers and opened to all interested), Russian diction  (optional, individual and arranged  upon request ) not this summer
• basic German comprehension class (daily, for all interested) not this summer
• Solo opportunities (only for selected, outstanding level students as determined by the Artistic director)
• Opportunity to perform chamber music (focal point of the program) publicly at historic venues

• Active participant with NON –PERFORMING status

  To any student who was not accepted as an Active performing participant or applied after the deadlines, when the planning of the program has been completed, the Festival offers an Active NON – performing status.

  For instrumentalists Non-performing status means an ability to actively participate in all Festival activities and musical rehearsals/coachings, to consult any faculty personally  or to arrange with  any faculty on his/her instrument active participation in his/her studio class, receive 3 instead of regular 2 individual lessons per week from the teacher of his/her choice, as indicated in his/her respective application. Students accepted as Non-performing participants will not be assigned any repertoire or participate in any scheduled chamber music activities and paid public performances.

  NON-performing voice students are entitled to attending all diction classes, receiving 1-2 individual  coaching and 1-2 stage craft sessions per week, attending and, upon consent of the relevant faculty, performing during the studio class, consulting privately any faculty in order to get some feedback and  receiving 3 individual voice lessons per week from the teacher of his/her choice, as indicated in his/her respective application.

• VISITORS PROGRAM

Long term VISITORS of Saarburg Music Festival  are completely free to arrange their time during the Festival as they wish. They are eligible to attend, if wished, any program´s activities.

Embark upon a fascinating exploration of European history and cultural heritage. Discover the many architectural and musical beauties, share the excitement of attending concerts by Festival´s talented student performers. We welcome parents and friends of the participants.

– EUR 1600 “Observer/Visitor” Fee plus 140 euro non-refundable Registration fee per person is payable if a Student or Faculty is accompanied or visited by another person (parent, relative, partner, friend or guardian) or if anybody wishes to attend the Festival as an observer.

The only relevant point in defining “Visitors” status is the  fact of their visiting the area due to being related to any Festival´s participant and/or Faculty/Guest artist. The nature of activities “Visitors” may decide to pursue has no relevance.

The “Visitor” fee is an unbreakable package, and  covers  room and half-board (double occupancy; single occupancy is available at supplemental fee), and access to all Festival activities and facilities. The fee for 3 to 7 days visit will be calculated at 50% or 800 euros plus 140 euro non-refundable registration fee. The full fee of 1600 euro plus 140 euro non-refundable Registration fee will be charged if the person´s visit lasts longer that 7 days. Visitors of 1-2 days duration in total (1-2 overnight stays in the Hotel) and children up to the Age of 12 are  exempt from this policy.

If a short term “Visitor” (1-2 days maximum)  related to any Festival participant or the faculty/guest artist wishes to join his contact person for a common lunch, served to all Festival participants and Faculty, he/she needs to inform Festival´s operation manager about his/her intentions and ask for a permission. Upon receipt of the consent, such visitor needs to pay to the operation manager 30 euro for the lunch in advance.

Short term “Visitors” (1-2 days maximum) are not allowed to enter any of the Festival´s teaching/rehearsal facilities or attend any lessons/rehearsals/coachings, unless a special permission has been granted by the Artistic Director of the Festival.

We ask anybody who intends to visit the Festival´s participant or Faculty to inform us immediately and to follow the outlined procedure .

The applicants, who are subject to the “Visitor” long term status( from 3 days on) are required  to make ALL the arrangements EXCLUSIVELY through the Festival, regardless  type of activities they intend to pursue during the visit.

“Visitors” are required to submit the initial section of the application (personal data) along with sections of the application requiring signature, Health and Limits of responsibility Forms,  as well as 140 euro non-refundable registration fee by January 31, 2024 (150 euro after January 31, 2024) and 700 euro non-refundable deposit (800 euro after March 1,2024) by March 1st, 2024.

OPPORTUNITY FOR AMATEUR MUSICIANS

For these players, Saarburg Festival will provide opportunity to rehearse and perform with colleagues at the same level. Their ensembles will be carefully chosen and established according to ability and performing desires conveyed in the application form. The Festival will secure performing venue for the amateur musicians. Please make sure to evaluate your abilities appropriately on the Saarburg Festival 2023 application form.

Participant Behavior:

Participants who are accepted to participate in Saarburg International Music Festival and School, Saarburg, Germany are representatives of SIMFS and their home country for the duration of their time in the program.
All participants will be expected to behave professionally and with mutual respect, to observe and respect host school rules while attending Saarburg Festival, and to abide by the rules set forth by the Saarburg Festival and the on-site program staff. They also are expected to abide by the laws and customs that govern the host country where they will be studying.
Failure to uphold the program rules will result in consequences that could include immediate dismissal from the program at their own expense.

 We made a great effort to provide our potential participants and guests with all relevant Information about our program on this website. It is a requirement for all potential participants of the program and Registered Visitors to familiarize themselves with utmost care and attention with all information on our website prior to making a decision to enroll into the program and  submitting the application.

The Festival cannot be held liable for the omission of any applicant to comply with the above requirement.

We are always ready to assist but at the same time ask for you understanding that we shall be unable to answer any queries which are covered by the Information on the Website.

In the cases of any uncertainties in understanding of the information on our website Students should first of all ask for clarification & assistance their respective teachers.