Music Forum Gurgl
A symphony of music, nature, & community
When passion for music meets alpine inspiration. Music Forum Gurgl pursues a clear goal: connecting people through music and community. And it does so in Gurgl, one of the most inspiring places in the Alps. The Forum is led by Theresa Clauberg, violinist, cultural manager and heart of the entire project. She has not only great organizational talent but also a keen sense for people. "For us, it's not about perfection, but about the joy of making music together," she states. In the following blog post you can read how music, nature and community merge into a unique melody.
Forum for music & people
"Felix Kupfer asked me if I would like to take on project management. Initially, I didn't really want to take care about another project, but it sounded so good that I could not say no," confirms project manager Theresa Clauberg. Today, she not only oversees the artistic direction but also organizational matters and communications at Music Forum Gurgl.
From the very beginning, it was clear: the Music Forum should be more than just a course. It should be a place where people come together, share music and experience community. "It's so important to me that everyone feels truly welcome and comfortable here, regardless of their musical level," explains Clauberg.
Variety & instinctive feeling
To make this a success, the Music Forum relies on a well-coordinated team of instructors. "I was looking for a conductor with a sensitive touch. And I found Tobias Grabher. He challenges without being overwhelming - after all, people are on holiday and they don't want to be yelled at." This balance between challenge and enjoyment is crucial. The other instructors were also carefully selected, such as chamber music professional Mátyás András and the married couple Anna and Michael Jurecka.
"All the instructors are fully committed to the project. It is not just a summer job for them, but a labor of love." This is also reflected in the program: section rehearsals, tutti sessions, chamber music. Everyone can follow their favorite option. And the grand finale - the closing concert - is more than just a concluding moment. "Without a concert, it would be like baking a cake and then not putting it in the oven," Clauberg sums it up.
Music meets nature
It is no coincidence that the Forum is taking place in Gurgl. "The location is simply incredibly special. It makes a difference whether you are looking at the wall of a building in the practice room or whether you are looking at the mountains just outside the window." This backdrop also shapes the sound. Conductor Tobias Grabher regularly encourages his musicians: "Imagine you are standing on top of a mountain while letting your gaze wander."
"You immediately feel how the sound changes when the participants play with this inner attitude," enthuses the Music Forum's project manager. Even nature sometimes gets involved: horses galloping on the pastureland or the interplay of fog and sun in the sky. "If we are lucky, the weather is bad," laughs Clauberg, "then very special moods arise."
Community in harmony
What defines the Music Forum is not just the sheet music and rehearsals, but the people. "Every year, I am touched by how deeply the participants get involved. Without any help, they organize small gifts for the instructors or nice cards with signatures - simply as a token of appreciation."
Some stories are particularly moving: last year, an 86-year-old violinist attended the Forum together with his daughter. This summer, the daughter traveled alone as her father has since passed away. This year's closing concert was dedicated to him - a really moving moment that shows how the Music Forum connects people beyond music. "It's a welcoming place where age doesn't matter. People from their early 20s to their mid-80s make music together," Clauberg says.
a side program in tune with the mountains
In addition to the music, Gurgl offers an accompanying program similar to a colorful musical score:
- Hiking tours to alpine pastures and peaks
- E-bike tours through the high alpine landscape
- Via ferrata and climbing tours for the adventurous
- Yoga sessions that harmonize breathing and posture
"The recreational program is important to us. It gives participants the unique opportunity to come together outside of rehearsals. These shared activities bring the group much closer together," explains Clauberg.
Thus, the Music Forum becomes a symphony of sound, nature and encounters. Music and mountains merge into an experience that will stay in the participants' memory for long.
Save the Date
The next Music Forum Gurgl will take place from 01 to 16 August 2026. Returning once again: the proven team of instructors, exciting works by Bartók and Piazzolla and perhaps even a few new program items - such as a yodeling workshop for the choir. The festival will conclude with a joyful closing concert at Gurgl Carat. A finale that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
