Daily Schedule
Astona’s daily schedule is rigorous. Practise times are programmed (around 4 hours daily, give or take according to age), chamber music takes place every day with coaching (ca. 2 hours), and the orchestras rehearse every other day (standard repertoire for string orchestra) during the middle 10 days of the course, culminating in the concert in Zurich. Rehearsals for the house-concerts are arranged with the piano faculty and the student’s private teacher.
Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. and work starts at 8 a.m. There are two morning periods (8:00 to 10:00 and 10:30 to 12:30) with a half-hour break from 10:00 to 10.30. Fruit, coffe, tea, and other beverages are provided for students and teachers during the break.
Lunch is at 12:30. There is free time (also often used for rehearsals for concert performances) until the afternoon period, which begins at 14:30 and lasts for two hours. This is usually occupied by either chamber music with coaching or orchestra rehearsal.
The house concert is a central feature of Astona’s program, and it is obligatory for all students and teachers to attend. It begins (nearly every day) at 17.15.
The evening meal is at 18.45. Thereafter there is either free time or activities as announced.
Nighttime curfews are supervised by the dormitory personell, and all students are expected to cooperate.
Astona is supported by the Lyra Foundation