1st week of Feb 2026: Rehearsals start in SF & Benicia

March 28: No Kings Concert – Section Leaders

April 18: GGSOC Fundraiser

May 24: Benicia Performance - Benicia Clock Tower - 3pm

May 31: San Francisco Performance - SFSU McKenna Theatre - 7pm

June 7: Departures for Switzerland begin (Chorus)

June 8: Chorus members arrival

June 9:  Chorus rehearsal - 7pm

June 10: Chorus rehearsal - 7pm

June 11: FREE DAY / Departures for Switzerland (Orchestra)

June 12:  Orchestra members arrival

June 13: Chamber Music Day 1 - various towns around Scuol

June 14: Full Rehearsal w/ Chorus + Soloists - Scuol Plaza - 2pm

June 15: Full Rehearsal w/ Chorus + Soloists - Gurlaina Ice Hall - 7pm

June 16: Open Dress Rehearsal for students w/ Chorus + Soloists - Gurlaina Ice Hall - 7pm

June 17: FREE DAY

June 18: Performance 1 - Gurlaina Ice Hall - 7:30pm

June 19: Performance 2 - Gurlaina Ice Hall - 7:30pm

June 20: Chamber Music Day 2 / Performance 3 - Gurlaina Ice Hall - 7:30pm

June 21: Performance 4 - Gurlaina Ice Hall - 2pm

June 22: Departures begin from Scuol

Flights:

Participants are responsible for booking their own flights. We recommend booking a flight that lands in Zürich before 5pm Swiss time. We’ve created some example itineraries with both flight & train combos in this shared document HERE for reference. Please be sure to check all baggage regulations with the airline ahead of ticket purchase if you are traveling with an instrument.

Arrival airport: Zürich (ZRH)

• 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 7 will mean you will land in Zurich on June 8

Trains:

Once you’ve arrived in Zürich, the next step is to take the very reliable and timely SBB (Swiss train). There is a train station right at the airport. The Zürich Flughafen (airport) train station is located on Level 0 and easily accessible from the airport terminal. Trains run every hour from about 6am-8pm.

The Route:

• START: Zürich Flughafen (Airport)

• END: Scuol-Tarasp

• Total travel time: ~ 3 hours

Transfers: The train route from the Zürich airport to Scuol requires 2-3 train transfers, depending on your departure time. An outline of the most common route below:

• Leg 1: Zürich Flughafen (Airport) > Zürich HB (main station)

  • Direction: Zürich HB

  • Travel time: 10 min

• Leg 2: Zürich HB > Landquart

  • Direction: Chur

  • Travel time: 1 hour

• Leg 3: Landquart > Scuol-Tarasp

  • Direction: Scuol-Tarasp

  • Travel time: 1 hour 25 min

Purchasing Train Tickets:

We recommend downloading the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) Mobile app on your phone before traveling. Booking tickets in advance is not required, but can be a good idea. This can be done before arrival on the SBB website or directly through the mobile app. Using the app will be a great help on travel day, as it will guide you each step of the way from start to finish, including a map of how to get between platforms at your transfer stations. Mobile app download links can be found below. For a written step-by-step guide on booking train tickets, check out our Swiss Train Booking Guide

• iPhone

• Android

Upon your arrival at Scuol-Tarasp station, your last leg of transport will depend on which accommodation you will be in:

• Scuol Youth Hostel - 2 min walk

• Palace Hotel - TBD (working on getting shuttles)

• Afida Home share - offers taxi transfer

• Guarda Val/Belvedere - bus or taxi, TBD if shuttle available

• Engadin Booking - various locations, check bus route or grab a taxi

We have hotel blocks for our group at a few different hotels in town as well as a new partnership this year with two different vacation home companies that offer short term vacation rentals. This is a great for those who would like their own space with a kitchen, and don’t mind walking/bussing around a bit more.

An Accommodations Pricing Breakdown can be found HERE.

Once you’ve decided on your accommodation location, please fill out the Hotel Registration Form HERE.

→ Please still fill out even if you are booking your own accommodation

OUR HOTEL BLOCKS:

• Scuol Youth Hostel

  • 52-70 CHF per person per night for a shared room

  • 100 CHF per night per person for a single room

  • 2 minute walk from the main bus depot and train station

  • Professionals will be assigned rooms here

  • Tourist card & breakfast included

• Palace Hotel

  • 75-105 CHF per night per person for a shared room

  • from 140 CHF per night per person for a single room

  • Boutique-hotel stay. Limited linen refreshes, room cleanings for an extra cost

  • Tourist card & breakfast included

  • Some rehearsals will take place here

  • A bit farther away from the center of town, can be challenging to get around freely without a vehicle or lots of walking

• Guarda Val / Belvedere Hotels

  • 140 CHF per night per person for a shared room

  • 160 CHF per night per person for a single room

  • Centrally located in town & a quick bus ride from the train station

  • Tourist card & breakfast included

• Home share / short-term vacation rentals

  • New this year! Prices vary on size and capacity. We recommend only booking a stay in Scuol proper, unless you are planning to rent a vehicle.

  • We are partnering with two companies: Adifa and Engadin Booking. You will need to self-book on their websites.

  • Examples of listings can be found HERE

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.

More info on the specific activites, sign-ups, and fees to come.

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:

Dress Code: The dress code for concerts is concert blacks “with a twist”. Meaning, we encourage folks to bring a pop of color to accompany your blacks. This is optional, but things like colorful ties, scarfs, hats, etc are all welcome!

Please also remember to bring:

• Black binder

• Music stand

• Clip light

Miscellaneous:

• Universal Outlet Adapter

More Info - Coming Soon

Chorus ONLY rehearsals: June 9, 10, 12

No Rehearsal: June 11

Chamber Music days: June 13 & 20

Chorus & Orchestra first full rehearsal: June 14 - 2-5pm - Scuol Plaz

Chorus & Orchestra rehearsal: June 15 - 7pm - Gurlaina Hall

Open Dress Rehearsal: June 16 - 7pm - Gurlaina Hall

No Rehearsal: June 17

Performance dates:

June 18 - June 20 - 7:30pm - Gurlaina Hall

June 21 - 2pm - Gurlaina Hall

Rehearsal Locations:

→ June 8-12 (Chorus): 7:00pm – Local school house: Gemeindeschulhaus Scuol

→ June 14 (ALL): 1:00pm – Scuol Plaza

→ June 15-16 (ALL): 7:00pm – Gurlaina Ice Hall

*Locations and times are subject to change

• Do I need a visa to enter Switzerland?

  As of March 11, 2026, visas are not required for US, UK, or EU citizens for stays less than 90 days.

  More info from the US Embassy can be found HERE

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

  Yes! Our partner hotels are happy to accommodate extra days on either end of the trip. Just fill out the Hotel Registration form and request the dates you wish.

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

  Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any financial aid to members this year. Reach out to Maestro Urs to discuss further.

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

  We are working to secure rentals for basses & cellos to use locally in Scuol.

• 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?

  Vocal practice links can be found HERE.

  Reach out to your section leader if you need access to sheet music.

• Will there be any local transportation provided?

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

  We are working on providing shuttles from the Palace Hotel into town multiple times per day.

  Transport into town from the Youth Hostel is a quick bus ride or ~15 minute walk.

• Where is the nearest hospital?

  Center de Engiadina Bassa