In Review: SGIS Symphony Orchestra Festival 2026

The 3rd annual SGIS Symphony Orchestra Festival took place on 5-7 February 2026. Hosted by Ecolint - La Grande Boissière, the event brought together nearly 70 students from 10 international schools across Switzerland for three days of intensive and rewarding musical collaboration.

The final concert - in LGB's impressive Centre des Arts - featured seven pieces conducted by teachers from the different participating schools. These included a substantial arrangement of Tchaikovsky's 'Romeo and Juliet' Overture, a demanding Gershwin medley, and a raucous finale ('Tico tico no fubá') which had the audience dancing and clapping in their seats! The level of playing and overall rehearsal culture had definitely evolved since last year, which is what enabled the students to tackle such a demanding programme.

In addition to the high standard of music-making, it was wonderful to see students across all ten schools engage with one another beyond the stage. From break-time conversations to laser-tag to an organised dinner gathering, students had the invaluable opportunity to build relationships with one another (and reconnect from previous festivals). This, no doubt, had a positive impact on the rehearsals and performance together.

• Aiglon College

• Ecole d'Humanité

• Ecolint (La Grande Boissière)

• Institut Le Rosey

• Inter-Community School Zürich

• International School Basel

• International School of Berne

• International School of Lausanne

• International School of Zug and Luzern

• Zürich International School