Ascona Academy & Next Generation

Ascona Choral Academy

Project Overview

The Ascona Choral Academy, directed by the celebrated Tenebrae Choir of London and its conductor, Nigel Short, brings together more than 200 choristers for a week in the Locarno region to participate in workshops, Evensongs, and concerts. All Academy events are free of charge (reservations required).

The Academy is designed primarily for established vocal ensembles. There is also a limited number of places for individual singers to join a choir created especially for the Academy.

Each day is punctuated by rehearsals devoted to the repertoire presented in the evening during Evensongs, one of the oldest and most evocative liturgical traditions of the Anglican Church, in which choral singing plays a central role. Afternoons are reserved for additional rehearsals and an extensive workshop program. Workshops may include ensemble singing, ear and voice training, choral conducting, improvisation, or composition. The program offers comprehensive training, with a daily alternation between studying and performing new music that fosters the development of technical skills, ensemble awareness, and musical expression.

Throughout the week, rehearsals are directed and accompanied by Nigel Short, artistic director of the renowned professional choir Tenebrae, along with other Academy faculty.

Participants can choose to arrive on Sunday and participate in the full week of activities, or join the shortened formula starting on Wednesday. All activities take place between Ascona and Locarno, in the picturesque scenery of Canton Ticino.

Thursday and Friday also feature concerts by the London-based Tenebrae Choir, with a repertoire of choral music of the highest caliber. The week concludes on Saturday with a festive choral day, during which all participating choirs sing together in the streets of Ascona, creating a lively outdoor musical celebration. In the evening, the final concert brings selected choirs together with Tenebrae, the culmination of the entire Academy experience.

Registration to participate is already open. Because the number of participants is limited, selections will be made for both choirs and singers. Final participation will be announced after registration.

Structure

General requirements

Amateurs and professionals are welcome
Experience in choral singing is required
It is necessary to be able to read music
Proficiency in English is required for communication
Good ability to read at first glance is an advantage.

Ad hoc choir – basic level

Relatively simple repertoire
Sample excerpts:
- Thomas Tallis: If ye love me
- William Byrd: Ave verum corpus

Ad hoc choir – advanced level

More challenging repertoire
Sample excerpts:
- Gustav Holst: Nunc Dimittis
- Robert Lucas Pearsall: Lay a Garland

Practice makes perfect

Evidence

Mornings are generally devoted to rehearsals. During the morning sessions you will work with your choir on the pieces that will be performed during Evensong. Nigel Short and other Academy teachers will join you in the musical work.
Workshop

Afternoons are reserved for workshops. Topics include ensemble singing, vocal technique, choir conducting, improvisation and composition, among others.
Evensong

Evensong is an evening liturgical service set to music that combines sung prayers, psalms and hymns in a contemplative experience. This tradition, particularly rooted in Britain, is valued for its understated beauty and spiritual depth. All Evensongs are open to the public.
Concerts

In addition to their own musical activities, participants have the opportunity to hear other choirs, ensembles and musicians. The Tenebrae Choir will give two concerts during Academy week, along with other artists included in the festival program.

Daily schedule

SundayOctober 4, 2026
Arrival day. Get to know the course leaders and other participants in a relaxed atmosphere.
MondayOctober 5, 2026
Rehearsals, workshops and Evensong. Rehearsal for final concert (optional).
TuesdayOctober 6, 2026
Rehearsals, workshops and Evensong. Rehearsal for final concert (optional).
WednesdayOctober 7, 2026
Arrival day for the short academy. Rehearsals, workshops, Evensong.
ThursdayOctober 8, 2026
Rehearsals, workshops, Evensong. Concert by the Tenebrae Choir in the evening.
FridayOctober 9, 2026
Rehearsals, workshops, Evensong. Concert by the Tenebrae Choir in the evening.
SaturdayOctober 10, 2026
Various concerts in the streets of Ascona/Locarno. Closing concert in the evening.
SundayOctober 11, 2026
Departure day.

Participation

For the choirs

Participation with choir (12-24 singers)

Participation fee: Fr. 250 per choir member

You enroll in the academy together with your choir.

Rehearsal
Workshop
Evensong
Concerts
Dvořák final concert Stabat Mater (optional, to be prepared)

The Ascona Choral Academy 2026 is fully booked for choirs. Choirs interested in participating in the 2027 edition are welcome to express their interest by emailing choralacademy@classicascona.ch.

For the singers

Participation as a singer

Participation fee: Fr. 250

You sign up as an individual and sing in one of three ad hoc choirs.

Rehearsal
Workshop
Evensong
Concerts

There are still openings for male voices in the classicAscona ad-hoc choir. If you’re interested, please send an email to choralacademy@classicascona.ch with some information about yourself and your singing experience.

For conductors

For choir conductors

Participation fee: free of charge

Participate as a conductor and lead one of three ad hoc choirs. Specific workshops for conductors are also planned.

Rehearsal
Workshop
Evensong
Concerts

Workshop

Workshops are generally held in the afternoon and offer participants the opportunity to actively work with faculty on a wide range of topics related to choral singing.

Deep Listening

with Anna Semple
Exclusive to Academy participants

Discover the concept of “Deep Listening,” a practice that encourages conscious and active listening to oneself, others and one’s surroundings. It is an engaging and enjoyable way to improve listening skills while being deeply restorative.

Improve your listening skills
Sing along with the others
Learn how singing can promote well-being

Connection through Performance

with Johnny Howard
Exclusive for Academy participants.

It matters not only what we sing, but also how we share it. This workshop explores small changes that singers can adopt to transform the way audiences connect to and perceive their performance.

Increase the impact of your musical performance
Find out what really makes music communication effective
Learn how to design concert programs
Acquire tools for storytelling, rhythm and emotional construction

Tenebrae Effect

with Nigel Short
Exclusive for Academy participants.

This workshop offers an in-depth look at Nigel Short ‘s work and explores what makes Tenebrae’s sound and interpretation so unmistakable.

Learn the fundamental skills for a Tenebrae-style performance
Focus on Tenebrae’s founding values: passion and precision
Work on team spirit and communication

Teachers

Nigel Short,

Formerly a member of the renowned vocal group The King’s Singers, Nigel founded Tenebrae in 2001, a virtuoso choir that combines the passion of a cathedral choir with the precision of a chamber ensemble. Under his direction, Tenebrae has collaborated with internationally renowned orchestras and instrumentalists and now enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s best vocal groups. Nigel has conducted the choir in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Rheingau Musik Festival, and the Sydney Festival.
To date, Nigel has conducted most of the major British orchestras, including the Academy of Ancient Music, the Aurora Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Britten Sinfonia, the English Concert, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Other orchestral recordings include Mozart’s Requiem with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. In addition, Nigel has appeared as guest conductor with the BBC Singers, the MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig, and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble.
Nigel has extensive recording experience and has conducted for many of the world’s leading labels, including Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, LSO Live, and Signum. He has also contributed to a number of high-profile film scores. In 2018, he received a Grammy nomination in the ‘Best Choral Performance’ category for Tenebrae’s album featuring songs from the British Isles, *Music of the Spheres*. As a Gramophone Award-winning producer, Nigel collaborates with many of Britain’s leading professional choirs and vocal groups, including Alamire, Ex Cathedra, Gallicantus, and The King’s Singers.

Anna Semple,

Anna Semple is a London-based singer and composer. After earning a master’s degree in composition from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021, she works freelance as a solo, ensemble, and studio singer. She also serves as a Teacher-Singer at the Pimlico Musical Foundation, where she teaches violin and music theory.

Olivia Shotton,

Olivia is an award-winning conductor and singer based in London. She earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from the Royal Academy of Music with honors. In addition to the “DipRam” for excellence in the final recital, she received the Sir Thomas Armstrong Choral Leadership Prize. Subsequently, she was appointed a Fellow of the Academy, where she conducted a series of concerts featuring works by female composers from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Jonathan Howard,

For 15 years, Johnny has been among the world’s most sought-after choristers. As the bass and creative director of the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble The King’s Singers, he has performed in more than 60 countries, giving more than 1,400 concerts. He has appeared on nearly every major stage in the world, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

Ivo Antognini,

Ivo Antognini earned his piano diploma in Lucerne in 1985, having initially studied with Roberto Braccini and later with Nora Doallo at the school that later became the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. A self-taught composer, he has loved composing and improvising on the piano since childhood. From 1990 to 1991, he studied at the Swiss Jazz School in Bern, a formative period that led to the release of three CDs as a composer and performer. Between 1990 and 2004, he collaborated with several Swiss filmmakers, composing several soundtracks.

Frequently asked questions

Is food included?
No, in principle, food is paid for by the participants. However, in the canteen of Papio College it is possible to eat for Fr. 15-20. Before Evensongs is a good opportunity to socialize with other participants.
Are there any recommended accommodations?
Yes. Below you will find a list of accommodations near the rehearsal and concert halls.

List of hostels

YH Palagiovani Hostel (Locarno)
Old Town Pension (Locarno)
EasyRooms Dell’Angelo (Locarno)
Moscia House (Ascona)
Eden Hostel (Ascona)

List of hotels

Miralago Locarno Easy Rooms
E-Rooms Minusio
Ibis Hotels

List of group accommodations

Hermitage Madonna della Fontana (Ascona)
Where do rehearsals and concerts take place?
Many activities take place around Ascona’s Papio College. Among other things, Evensongs are held there every evening. Rehearsals and workshops are held in various places in Ascona (St. Peter and Paul Church, Evangelical Church, Teatro Materno, Teatro Gatto, etc.). The final concert is held in the Church of San Francesco in Locarno.
Is the academy suitable for children's and youth choirs?
Learning and performing new literature on a daily basis is quite challenging for children. The academy is less suitable for children’s choirs but is suitable for ambitious youth choirs.
How many participants will there be?
A total of eight choirs will participate in the academy. The goal is to bring together five existing choirs and three ad hoc choirs.
Do all choirs participate in the final concert?
Due to space limitations, only a selection of choirs will be able to sing Dvořák’s Stabat Mater. Those not participating will show their skills during street singing.
Is the fee reduced for the shortened week?
No, the participation fee remains unchanged and mainly covers administrative costs for coordinating participants.
Which ad hoc choir should I join?
Ask yourself whether you could learn the sample pieces with minimal individual preparation during a two-hour choral rehearsal. If so, this is the right choir for you.
My choir is enrolling in the academy. Should I also register separately as a singer?
No. Communication occurs directly between you and your choir.
Is there a selection procedure?
Yes, since the number of participants is limited, a selection is made for both choirs and singers. Final participation will be announced at the time of registration.
Who organizes the Ascona Choral Academy?
The Ascona Choral Academy is an initiative of the new artistic director of the Ascona Music Weeks, Christoph Müller, and Thomas Märki. It is organized as part of the festival in close collaboration with the London-based Tenebrae Choir. The academy’s project management is entrusted to Julia Mäder.

Other projects

All projects

Three Master Classes With Artists-in-Residence

Lecturers: Julia Lezhneva, soprano – Sept. 20 to 23; 2026 Vilde Frang, violin – Sept. 25 to 28; 2026 Sol Gabetta, cello – Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, 2026

Participants: Students and young professional musicians

Offered: Public lectures and concerts

Lezione di musica con clavicembalo e flauto.

Ascona Baroque Academy

September 22 – 27, 2026

Lecturers: Maurice Steger, Recorder; Ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro, conductor (baroque violin, baroque viola, baroque cello): Zefira Valova, Violin; Stefano Marcocchi, Viola; Ludovico Minasi, Cello; Vanni Moretto, Double Bass; n.n., Harpsichord, accompaniment, ensemble direction
Participants: Students and young professional musicians
Offered: lectures, workshops, public concerts
Orchestral training for the creation of the “Ascona Baroque Academy Orchestra” Tuning: 415 Hz, historical baroque instruments

Concert for PEACE

October 10, 2026

YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE rehearsal week and concert with Oksana Lyniv, conductor and Nigel Short (Tenebrae Choir)

The final concert of the festival is also the final concert of the Ascona Choral Academy. The internationally acclaimed Youth Symphony Orchestra Ukraine, conducted by its principal conductor, has been living in exile since the beginning of the war and depends on residential collaborations for its rehearsal spaces. Through this collaboration, we wish to send a signal of solidarity and humanity.

«Preludio Lungolago»

3 outdoor concerts on the stage of Ascona’s Lungolago, featuring ensembles from the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. The “Preludio Lungolago” concert series provides a platform for local music schools and educational projects in Canton Ticino. It is held before the main concerts at Collegio Papio, and admission is free (with collection).

Live experience

All Academy concerts are free admission, a reservation is necessary.

Discern musical development, knowledge transmission and young voices in the very place where they take shape.

Reserve a place

Ascona Choral Academy

Project Overview

Structure

General requirements

Ad hoc choir – basic level

Ad hoc choir – advanced level

Practice makes perfect

Evidence

Workshop

Evensong

Concerts

Daily schedule

Participation

For the choirs

Participation with choir (12-24 singers)

For the singers

Participation as a singer

For conductors

For choir conductors

Workshop

Deep Listening

Connection through Performance

Tenebrae Effect

Teachers

Nigel Short,

Anna Semple,

Olivia Shotton,

Jonathan Howard,

Ivo Antognini,

Frequently asked questions

Is food included?

Are there any recommended accommodations?

Where do rehearsals and concerts take place?

Is the academy suitable for children's and youth choirs?

How many participants will there be?

Do all choirs participate in the final concert?

Is the fee reduced for the shortened week?

Which ad hoc choir should I join?

My choir is enrolling in the academy. Should I also register separately as a singer?

Is there a selection procedure?

Who organizes the Ascona Choral Academy?