Perform Beethoven’s Ninth / Ode to Joy with Us!

San Francisco & Switzerland - Summer 2024

 

Celebrate the premiere of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony 200 years ago by performing it LIVE in San Francisco in May 25-26, 2024, and then again in Scuol, Switzerland (June 3-15)!

The project is a collaboration between the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, led by Swiss native Maestro Urs Leonhardt Steiner, and the non-profit organization Scuol Classics and the Scuol/Tarasp Tourist Bureau.

Scuol is located high in the southeast corner of the Swiss Alp and performers will come from both the United States and Switzerland. Celebrate Beethoven and meet people from all over the world with the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus!

 
  • June 3: Suggested arrival date for chorus

    June 4: Welcome Party in Scuol

    June 5-8: Rehearsals (CHORUS ONLY)

    June 8: Suggested (latest) arrival date for musicians*

    June 9-12: Rehearsals (ALL)

    June 13-16: Performance days

    June 17th: Hotel Check-out date (unless special arrangements have been requested)

    *For those involved in any of the local chamber music concerts happening on June 8th, we recommend a June 7th (latest) arrival.

  • Flights:

    Arrival airport: Zurich (ZRH)

    We recommend booking a flight that lands in Zurich before 5pm Swiss time. This will allow ample time for you to catch a train and be picked up by the shuttle bus in Scuol, which will then transfer you to your hotel.

    • Keep in mind that due to the long journey and time change, your arrival date will most likely be the following day i.e. Leaving SFO on June 3 will mean you will land in Zurich on June 4

    General Tip: Please do your due diligence when searching for flights and read all the fine print when it comes to baggage allowances (bag size & number of bags), seat choice options, meal add ons, etc. These fees can often build up and cost much more at the airport than when purchasing ahead of time!

    If bringing your instrument as a carry on, be sure to check the airline you book with on their sizing rules and requirements.

    From the airport, we recommend taking the train to Scuol.

    Trains:

    Once you’ve arrived in Zurich, you will find the Zürich Flughafen train station located in the lower level of the airport.

    Departing station: Zürich Flughafen (Airport)

    Arrival station: Scuol-Tarasp

    • Trains run every hour from 6am-8pm, and less frequently between 10pm-12am.

    • The train from Zurich to Scuol is about 3-3.5 hours and includes 2-3 transfers

    You do not need to book your train tickets to Scuol in advance, but if you would like some peace of mind, we’ve created a Swiss Train Booking Guide that steps through the process.

    Once you have arrived in Scuol, we will have shuttle buses from Scuol-Tarasp station to your respective hotels. Shuttle schedules TBD.

  • Our two main hotel partners are:

    Scuol Palace Hotel

    Hotel Quellenhof

    FOOD:

    Breakfast: Provided by your hotel

    Lunch: On your own

    Dinner: On your own, or can be added on to your stay.

    • Palace: 25 CHF/person (if paid in advance)

    • Palace: 30 CHF/person if purchased day of

    Palace Amenities:

    • Breakfast buffet from 7.00-10.00am

    • Bar service from 4.00-10.00pm and music at the bar (every Friday)

    • Colorful Culture & Music program

    • Restaurant Nimaya (Indian)

    • WiFi

    • Mini-fridge in room

    • Sauna & Steam Room

    • Fitness Room

    • Honesty Store with hygiene products

    • (1) Room cleaning during stay

    • Clean towel station

    Available add-ons:

    • Fitness & Body Language (1x per week) with Fabian Schmied, Fitness coach: CHF 25

    • Quantum Healing with Tino Andri: Price must be discussed with him

    • Massages, if booked in advance

    Not currently available:

    • Room service

    • Swimming pool

    • Laundry

    • Irons

    • Hair dryers

    Recommendations for Zürich accommodations:

  • In partnership with the Scuol tourism office, we will be organizing local hikes, walking tours, and mini-trips to other local attractions available via public transit.

    The tourist card you will receive as part of your hotel stay includes free local public transit, as well as discounted rates on a variety of other paid excursions offered by the tourist office. For more info, please visit thei website, where you can also live chat with locals.

  • The weather in Scuol during June is expected to be fairly similar to San Francisco. Some warmer days and some cooler ones with a good chance of some rain. Expect temperatures bewtween 50-75, with cooler nights.

    • Good walking shoes

    • Jacket

    • Rain-proof clothing

    • Backpack for water + snacks

    Rehearsals/Concerts:

    • Black binder

    • Music stand

    • Clip light

    Miscellaneous:

  • On June 8th and June 15th we will be hosting various chamber music concerts & singing arrangements in Scuol in the center of town in the main Plaz (Plaza), and in the lower valley area.

    Performances will take place around 1:00-3:00pm.

  • June 5-8:

    • Location: Palace Hotel

    • Time: 7:00pm

    • Chorus only

    June 9:

    • Location: Palace Hotel

    • Time: 7:00pm

    • Chous & Orchestra

    June 10-12:

    June 13-15:

    June 16:

    Ticket purchase link for Scuol performances → here

    • info for friends & family discount to come soon

    • Can I arrive early/stay additional days in Scuol?

      Yes! You may request an early arrival/late departure date in your filled out Google Form

    • I want to come but not sure I can afford the trip, what do I do?

      If you require financial assistance to participate in this trip, please reach out to Maestro Urs via email.

    • I play a large instrument, how should I go about booking travel?

      We are working to find basses & cellos to use locally in Scuol. More info to follow.

    • Will you be organizing any group day-trips/local activities?

      Yes, we will be working closely with the Scuol tourism office to provide a few options for local activities such as hikes, sightseeing, museum days, and more.

    • Can I invite a family member/partner/guest who is not a GGSOC member?

      Yes! Please note in the interest form if you will be joined by any non-GGSOC members to assure you are assigned to the same hotel room.

    • Where do I find the music material?

      Sheet music and audio files with be shared with participants via email and will also be available in the GGSOC member portal soon.

    • Will there be any local transportation provided?

      Main modes of transportation around Scuol will be by foot, bus, or bike. There can be transportation assistance for those with larger instruments and mobility needs upon request.

    • Where is the nearest hospital?

      Center de Engiadina Bassa

All non-professionals and their guests are required to pay the participation fee.

If you are not able to pay the participation fee online, you can write us a check.

Payable to: Golden Gate Symphony

Please list the name(s) of who you are paying for in the memo.

Send to: 717 Hampshire St. SF, CA 94110

Switzerland Participation Fee
Who is this payment for? Please include full name.
 

TRIP CONTACTS

Maestro Urs Steiner - steiner@goldengatesymphony.org

Keili Elliott, Trip Coordinator - keili@goldengatesymphony.org

Michelle Cipollone, Administrator & Choral Manager - michelle@goldengatesymphony.org

Brandon Tran, Orchestra Manager - brandon@goldengatesymphony.org