Swiss Instrument Funds
The Swiss Instrument Funds (SIF) offers young musicians the opportunity to borrow a high-quality instrument thus giving them the chance to grow in their musical development. The instruments in the fund come from a variety of sources. These include generous donations from private individuals, violin- makers and violin dealers. These valuable instruments are either historic or modern, built by the most renowned contemporary violin makers.
Regulations
Application criteria
The Swiss Instrument Fund (SIF) is supported by the YOUTH CLASSICS association. It promotes talented musicians in Switzerland by providing high-quality string instruments – violins, violas, and cellos – on loan for a period of two years. The SIF aims to help at talented musicians between the ages of 12 and 30 who have the appropriate musical qualifications. They must be residents of Switzerland or studying at a music college in Switzerland.
Selection process
Interested musicians submit the online application form along with their artistic CV, a recording, and a letter of motivation. A panel of experts selects suitable candidates and invites them to an audition. Those selected for a loan instrument can choose from several instruments, depending on availability. The instrument should be a good fit for the young musicians to optimally support them in their musical career. This audition and the subsequent allocation take place every year in the fall. In individual cases, allocation is also possible at other times, depending on urgency and availability.
Organizational matters
The YOUTH CLASSICS association acts as an intermediary between the young musicians (borrowers) and the owners or authorized representatives of the instruments (lenders). It organizes the allocation of instruments and strives to ensure that 10 to 20 high-quality instruments are available each year. Borrowing the instrument is free of charge; only the insurance costs are borne by the borrower. All instruments are insured by Sinfonima Swiss; this insurance is mandatory. Each instrument must be presented to a SIF-authorized violin maker at least once a year.
Communication
Musicians who have received a string instrument on loan from the SIF are expected to mention the instrument in concert programs and in their CVs, naming the SIF and, if applicable, the owner.
Dates and registration
The next audition will take place in spring 2026 in the main concert hall of the Bern Hochschule der Künste. A panel of experts will decide on participation. The following documents must be submitted to register for the audition:​
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Instrumental Audition Duration
20 minutes, individual
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Artistic Performance
Candidates must prepare a program consisting of three movements from works of different musical periods, including at least one slow movement.
The examination panel will select up to 15-20 minutes from this program to be performed during the audition.
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Suitability Interview
Following the audition, there will be an interview with the panel.
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Examination Panel
The jury consists of principal subject professors from Swiss universities of music as well as two representatives from the field of violin making.
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Accompaniment
Candidates are responsible for arranging their own piano accompaniment.
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Access
The audition is not open to the public. Only members of the jury and the candidate with piano accompaniment are permitted to enter the hall
The online application form with artistic CV, a sound recording and a letter of motivation can be submitted. Details regarding the dates will be announced at the beginning of 2026.
Instruments
The string instruments described below are currently available for loan. They have been entrusted to the SIF by private owners, violin dealers, and violin makers.
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More instruments will gradually be added to this list in order to have 15-20 violins, violas and cellos available for the auditions in November 2025.
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Violins
Léonie und Stephan von Baehr, Paris, Frankreich
Label: Joseph Guarnerius fecit
Cremone anno 1735
Body length: 35.3 cm
Lender: SVB fine violins- Stephan von Baehr
Remarks: Branded stamp of Stephan von Baehr on the inside back
Violine Bernardo Calcanius, Genua, Italy
Label: Bernardus Calcanius fecit
Genoa in 1755
Body length: 35.5 cm
Lender: Anonymous
Philip Ihle, London, UK
Note: Philip Valentin Ihle
London 2014
Body length: 35,7 cm
Lender: Phillip Ihle, London
Remarks:
Made in 2014, this violin was the first instrument I built after setting up my own workshop in London. It is based on the Schneeberger Stradivari, whose warm an rich sound it reminds me of.
Several players have described it as the perfect Mozartviolin, due to its delicate yet flexible sound and playability. The violin is responsive and has good articulation making the playability feel rather effortless.
Violine Julia Pasch, Vienna, Austria
Label: Julia Maria Pasch fecit
Viennæ anno 2025
Body length: 35.3 cm
Lender: Julia Pasch, Vienna
Violine Dominik Wlk, Rosenheim, Germany
Label: Dominik Josef Wlk
fecit London 2024
Rosenheim, Bavaria
Body: 35.6 cm
Lender: Dominik J. Wlk, Master luthier
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Violas
Gaspare Lorenzini, Piacenca, Italien
Label: Gaspare Lorenzini fecit Piacencae anno 1758
Body length: 39.2 cm
Lender: Anonymous
Notes: This instrument was played as solo viola in the Philharmonia Orchestra London until a few years ago
Violoncelli
C.A. Testore, Milano, Italien
Label: Carlo Antonio Testore figlio maggiore del fu Carlo Giuseppe in Contrada Marga al fegno dell‘ Aquilla. 1752
Body length: 68.9 cm
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Lender: Anonymous
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