NEWS
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NEWS ***
January 2027
Masterclass in germany - draganov back in “Haus Marteau”!
Masterclass with Philip A. Draganov at Haus Marteau
Apply now for a place (limited to 10 participants) at Philip A. Draganov’s masterclass at prestigious “Internationale Begegnungsstätte Haus Marteau”
January 4th - January 8th, 2027
Lichtenberg, Germany
application here
PRIVATE AUDITION DAYS
January 23 & 24, 2027
On January 23 and 24, 2027, the Private Audition Days will take place for candidates wishing to apply for a place of study for the 2027/28 academic year (starting in September 2027) with Prof. Philip A. Draganov at the Bern University of the Arts (HKB) or the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).
Bern Academy of the Arts
The violin entrance examinations for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes will take place from April 19–23, 2027.
Application deadline: March 15, 2027
Zurich University of the Arts
The date of the violin entrance examination for the PreCollege Music programme (May 2027) will be announced at a later date.
Application deadline: March 1, 2027
Private Auditions & Trial Lessons
During the Private Audition Days in January, candidates may have the opportunity to perform a private audition with brief feedback or, by personal invitation, attend a trial lesson with Philip A. Draganov.
Due to the very high number of applications, trial lessons are offered exclusively by personal invitation. Interested candidates are kindly asked to submit a video recording to Philip Draganov in advance. For scheduling and further information, please write to: Philip@Draganov.ch
JULY 2026
SWISS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMy (SIMA) 2026 - IMPRESSIONS
©Photos by Marco Blessano | www.blessano.ch
Concert Highlights 2026/27 – check out the calendar!
Kulturhaus Helferei - Nov 15th, 2026
Charity concert supporting the “Foundation Sonnenschein”
Yehudi Menuhin Forum & Musikzentrum Florhof - March 6th & 7th, 2027
Concerts with the orchestra of the Academy of the Arts Bern (HKB)
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz - May 9th & 16th, 2027
September 2026
SePtember Highlights
Améline Bischof, precollege student of Philip A. Draganov’s violin class (ZHdK) performing Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in d minor with orchestra.
September 8th, 2026, 19:30
Kulturhaus Helferei Zürich
Free entrance - collection - place reservation here
JUNE 2026
news from the job market
present and Former students of the violin class
Laura-Delia Knecht has successfully won the audition for a permanent position in the First Violin section of the renowned Gürzenich Orchestra at the Cologne Opera House.
Naomi Onaka has successfully won the audition for a position in the Orchestra Academy of the prestigious Musikkollegium Winterthur for the 2026/27 season.
Valentina Brodbeck wins the audition for the Orchestra Academy of prestigious Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich for the 2026/27 season.
Silvan Dezini has been appointed as violin teacher at the Bern Conservatory, starting with the 2026/27 season
Laurent Bourquin wins the audition for the substitute position at the Philharmonia Zurich (Opera Zurich).
Valentina Paetsch has successfully completed her 14-month probationary period with the DSO (Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin) and is now a permanent member of one of Germany’s leading orchestras.
International Competition success
Roman Červinka, bachelor student of Philip A. Draganov’s violin class, wins 1st prize and special prize for the best performance of the compulsory piece by Vasa Príhoda at the 15th International Vasa Príhoda Violin Competition in České Budejovice (Czech Republic).
Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
Performing as soloist with the bern symphony orchestra
Estelle Presler, Precollege-student of Philip A. Draganov’s violin class, performing Tchaikowsky’s violin concerto with the Bern Symphony orchestra after winning the soloist competition at the Bern university of the Arts (HKB).
Congratulations on the stunning performance at the Casino Bern!
April 2026
Wonderful achievements by the pre-university violin students of Philip A. Draganov’s class at The FINALS of the Swiss National Competition (SJMW).
🏆 Age Group I
🥇 Lucinda Szypura – 1st Prize with distinction (the only participant in her age group to win a distinction)
🏆 Age Group III
🥇 Améline Bischof – 1st Prize with distinction
🥇 Sofia Emilsson – 1st Prize
🥇 Estelle Presler – 1st Prize with distinction
🥇 Zoja Syguda – 1st Prize with distinction
🏆 Age Group IV
🥇 Emma Bischof – 1st Prize with distinction (ONly 2 distinctions awarded in this age category)
🥈Selina Disch – 2nd Prize
Bravo and congratulations for the dedication, love, and passion for music. 🎶👏
MARCH 2026
Results at the Entrada of the Swiss National Music Competition (SJMW).
🏆 Age Group I
🥇 Lucinda Szypura – 1st Prize with distinction
🏆 Age Group III
🥇 Améline Bischof – 1st Prize with distinction
🥇 Sofia Emilsson – 1st Prize with distinction
🥇 Estelle Presler – 1st Prize with distinction
🥇 Zoja Syguda – 1st Prize with distinction
🏆 Age Group IV
🥇 Emma Bischof – 1st Prize with distinction
🥇 Selina Disch – 1st Prize
July/August 2026
MaSterclass at keshet eilon
Prof. Philip A. Draganov, faculty member of the renowned Keshet Eilon International Mastercourse 2026:
Due to the current uncertain political situation in Israel, the masterclasses will take place in Altea, Spain.
Only 50–60 places are available for all instruments combined.
For more information please visit:
www.keshetei.org.il
JULY 2026
Masterclass at the 16th Swiss International Music Academy (SIMA) 2026
International masterclass with Prof. Philip A. Draganov at the 16th Swiss International Music Academy (SIMA) 2026
July 10th - 19th, 2026
JULY 2025
competition success!
Ukrainian violinist Alla Ternova, Master student of Philip A. Draganov’s violin class at the Bern Academy of the Arts (HKB) winning 1st prize with her “Arola String Quartet” at the International Janáček Competition in Brno, Czech Republic.
Congratulations!
16-year-old Swiss violinist marleen gujer, member of philip A. Draganov`s violin class at the bern academy of the arts (HKB) won 1st prize at the “histria international violin competition” in pula, croatia. In addition, Marleen received the “dallapiccola special prize” for the best interpretation of the obligatory piece by luigi dallapiccola.
congratulations!
JUNE 2025
News from the job market
present and former students from the violin class
Elizaveta Zubenko has successfully won the audition for a position in the Orchestra Academy of the renowned Musikkollegium Winterthur, Switzerland’s oldest orchestra, founded in 1629.
Hani Song has successfully won the audition for a permanent position in the First Violin section of the renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.
Ladina Casutt has been appointed to the First Violins of the Zurich Opera House on a temporary contract for the 2025/26 season.
MAY 2025
JURY MEMBER AT THE “CANTUS FIRMUS” INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION IN SOFIA, BULGARIA.
April 2025
Draganov conducts the chamber orchestra of The Bern Academy of the arts (HKB) with pieces by piazzolla and schubert - IMPRESSIONS
FEBRUARY 2025
INTERVIEW WITH PHILIP A. DRAGANOV on ESTA INFO
INTERVIEW
ESTA INFO has interviewed Prof. Philip A. Draganov, board member of the ESTA (European String Teacher Association).
Read full article here
JANUARY 2025
Philip A. Draganov elected as new board member of the European String Teachers Association (ESTA)!
DECEMBER 2024
Masterclass in Beijing - IMPRESSIONs
Video impressions from the SIMA 2023
philip a. draganov’s Interview With the schweizer musikzeitung
An interview about the impact of academies on young musicians - Read the full article here.
Tchaikovsky violin concerto
Bowings and Fingering by Philip A. Draganov
Published by the Gilgenreiner Verlag
Foreword by Prof. Igor Ozim
ORDER HERE
with Josef Gilgenreiner (Gilgenreiner Verlag)
Review on the edition in “Das Orchester” : open here!
masterclass dvd series
Philip A. Draganov works with Madelene Berg on the first movement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G major, K. 216.
Philip A. Draganov works with Sumina Studer on Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64.
Videos by: Mapiart Production
order form for dvd:
New CD Release: The violin battle
Label: Solo Musica
Distributor: SONY MUSIC
The advantages of old master violins against modern violins - or vice versa - is one of the most discussed issues in the world of string instruments. A year can barely pass without a new scientific study, in which they claim to be able to definitely prove which one is better. For the most part, these supposed sensations reveal only one dimensional thinking, which can hardly ever be appropriate when defining a complex phenomenon such as the finite qualities of a string instrument.
Philip Draganov plays Bach and Ysaÿe