GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE 13th INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PIANO ACADEMY DISENTIS
Introduction
International Summer Piano Academy Disentis aims to discover, to support and to promote young outstanding international pianists. They get an opportunity to develop their skills, to work on the repertoire and to extend the results onto the concert stage.
ISPA Disentis will take place from July 12th till July 25th, 2026 at the Disentis Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in the Canton of Graubünden, eastern Switzerland. The course brings together young pianists with professors, musicologists and leading journalists of the modern piano world. In the period of two weeks, the participants will get regular tuition, attend lectures, seminars and workshops; they will perform in house concerts and public concerts.
Founded in the 8th century, Disentis Monastery is today the spiritual and educational center of the Upper Rhine Valley (Vorderrheintal). The location of the Abbey provides not only with a very special and inspiring work frame for the course, but also gives the necessary background for both relaxation and concentration.
Eligibility
Young pianists aged 15-35 presently studying or graduates of a music institution who wish to deepen their understanding of music and performing arts, to enlarge their knowledge of the process of music making and to widen their artistic horizons, those who have in view to make music their profession are welcome to take part in the work of the International Piano Summer Academy.
Applications are possible for the whole period only.
Applicants should fill in the application form and must provide:
- a letter of recommendation from their teacher or another professional musician;
- video recording or YouTube link or similar
(not required from former Academy students); - the repertoire they desire to work on during the course (at least three different concert pieces).
- application fee of CHF 100.- payable to «Musical Discovery» via electronic transfer. The fee is exclusive of the course costs and is not refundable.
- Application deadline: June 12th 2026
Costs
- Student: CHF 2’500.-
Incl. 5 hours private tuition, 13 days accommodation (double room), full board, free admission to all Academy’ activities, such as concerts and lectures; participation in concerts, practicing facilities. - Student: CHF 2’800.-
Incl. 5 hours private tuition, 13 days accommodation (single room), full board, free admission to all Academy’ activities, such as concerts and lectures; participation in concerts, practicing facilities. - Listener: CHF 1’700.-
Incl. 13 days accommodation (double room), full board, free admission to all Academy’s activities, such as concerts and lectures. - Listener: CHF 2’000.-
Incl. 13 days accommodation (single room), full board, free admission to all Academy’s activities, such as concerts and lectures. - Listener (1 week) CHF 850.-
Incl. 7 days accommodation (double room), full board, free admission to all Academy’s activities, such as concerts and lectures. - Listener (1 week) CHF 1'000.-
Incl. 7 days accommodation (single room), full board, free admission to all Academy’s activities, such as concerts and lectures. - Listener (1 day) CHF 30.-
admission to the lessons, lectures and concerts of the day - The course fee must be paid within four weeks after the receipt of the letter of acceptance.
Language
German, French, English, Italian, Russian.
Working knowledge of one of these languages is required.
Facilities
International Summer Piano Academy provides all students with accommodation (single room) and full board during the entire period of their staying at the Abbey. Every student receives five one-hour individual lessons. Pianos are available for practicing. House concerts and public concerts will feature most advanced students. Participation in concerts is encouraged, though is not obligatory.
The students have free access to all activities of the course including other professor’s lessons, lections, seminars, to all house and public concerts, and to all sport facilities (hiking, tennis, badminton and ping-pong).
The Abbey can accommodate members of the participant’s family for a period chosen: a subject of early booking; special charges apply.
Listeners
The Academy welcomes everybody who is wishing to participate in its work as a listener. Listeners enjoy the same privileges as students; however, they do not receive private tuition. For further details see section Costs.
Travel / Heath Insurance
Participants should arrange their travel to Disentis so that they are available at 15 hrs on July 12th, departure – at 10hrs on July 25, 2026. The nearest airport: Zurich; further by train as follows: Zurich – Chur – Disentis; by car: Zurich – Chur – Disentis. For further details, please, consult your travel agent or www.sbb.ch.
Travel costs and obligatory health insurance are exclusive of the course costs.
Annulation
after June 12, 2026: half of the fee will be refunded.
Cancellation after June 26, 2026: paid fee will not be refunded.
For Information and Brochures:
International Summer Piano Academy Disentis, c/o «Musical Discovery»
Wiesliacher 40 – 8053 Zurich – Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0) 44 422 20 71
e-mail: a.beb@zhfvpnyqvfpbirel.pu
Bank data:
MUSICAL DISCOVERY
Konto-Nr.: 269-803481.41D
IBAN: CH27 0026 9269 8034 8141 D
BIC: UBSWCHZH80A
Address: UBS AG, 8098 Zürich, Switzerland