Perform Carmina Burana in the SF Bay Area & Switzerland: Summer 2026
Perform Carl Orff’s masterpiece – Carmina Burana – live with full orchestra and chorus, and connect with musicians from around the world!
Join the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus (GGSOC) for this exciting international collaboration, led by Swiss native Maestro Urs Leonhardt Steiner, in partnership with Festival Scuol Classics and the Scuol/Tarasp Tourist Bureau.
Set high in the breathtaking Swiss Alps, the town of Scuol will host performers from the United States, Switzerland, and across Europe for this unforgettable musical experience.
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1st Week of Feb: rehearsals start in SF & Benicia
05/24: San Francisco Performance
05/30: Benicia Performance
06/08-06/22: Festival Scuol Classics in Switzerland
06/08-09: Chorus Members Arrive
6/10-12: Chorus Rehearsals
6/12: Orchestra and Professional Musicians Arrive
6/13: Chamber Music Saturday
6/14-16: Rehearsal with Orchestra
6/17: FREE DAY
6/18-21: Carmina Burana Concerts
6/22: Festival Scuol Classics ‘26 Ends -
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.
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Hotel Information - Coming Soon
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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 their website, where you can also live chat with locals.
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The weather in Scuol during June is fairly similar to San Francisco. Some warmer days and some cooler ones with a good chance of some rain. Expect temperatures between 50-75F, with cooler nights.
Good walking shoes
Jacket
Rain-proof clothing
Backpack for water and snacks
Rehearsals/Concerts:Black binder
Music stand
Clip light
Miscellaneous: -
06/13/26: We will present a variety of chamber music concerts and vocal performances in Scuol, taking place in the heart of town at the main Plaz (plaza), as well as in the Lower Engadine valley.
More Info - Coming Soon
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More Info - Coming Soon
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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 at steiner@goldengatesymphony.org.
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?
TRIP CONTACTS
Urs Leonhardt Steiner, Music Director: steiner@goldengatesymphony.org
Keili Elliott, Trip Coordinator:
keili@goldengatesymphony.org
Irene Lin, GGSOC Administrator:
irene@goldengatesymphony.org
Brandon Tran, Orchestra Manager: brandon@goldengatesymphony.org