Alphorn Events
Descriptions of alphorn events in North America and Switzerland
North American Alphorn Retreat (August, Utah USA)
Hosted by the Alphorn Institute, this event is designed for anyone who has an interest in the alphorn, including professionals, enthusiasts and novices alike.
https://www.alphorninstitute.com/north-american-alphorn-retreat
Northwest Alphorn International Festival (May, Leavenworth, WA USA)
The Leavenworth Alphorn Association hosts this gathering of alphorn players in the beautiful Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth, WA. Performances by professional players and an alphorn workshop in which players of all levels can receive professional instruction.
Jodlerfest (June-July, Switzerland)
Steeped in Swiss tradition, Jodlerfests are annual events that draw tens of thousands of spectators. They are organized by regional chapters of the Swiss National Federation of singers, alphorn players and flag swingers (the "holy trinity" of traditional Swiss folk music). Participants wear traditional Swiss clothing, and the events are joyous celebrations of music and camaraderie. Jodlerfests take place in different locations around Switzerland each year. There are 5 regional Jodler associations that each meet once every three years, at which Alphorn players perform and receive scores based on their playing. Those with excellent scores can participate in the national Jodlerfest, which happens once each three years, and that attracts over 100,000 people and is nationally televised!
https://www.jodlerverband.ch/de/jodlerfeste
Here are some recordings from the last National Jodlerfest, 2023 in Zug (https://jodlerfestzug.ch/):
The Gala Concert:
https://www.tele1.ch/sondersendung/festakt-eidgenoessisches-jodlerfest-zug-152093241
The Parade (alphorns @ 35 min mark): https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/potzmusig/video/live-vom-31--eidgenoessisches-jodlerfest-zug?urn=urn:srf:video:a9378a45-dfc1-4c16-af4b-22fefa2bc169
The International Alphorn Festival of Nendaz (July, Switzerland)
Annual July alphorn playing competition that attracts the world's best alphorn players to Nendaz, a beautiful mountain area in the south of Switzerland.
Tahoe Alphorn Experience (October, Tahoe CA USA)
The Sierra Alphorn Players host this experience playing alphorns in a group setting in the Lake Tahoe area. There will be an emphasis on playing musically and listening to the group for cohesion and timbre.
Midwest Alphorn Retreat
(Summer, Midwest USA)
A great opportunity for alphorn enthusiasts from all over the United States to gather for five days of "total immersion" in the alphorn.
https://midwestalphornretreat.us/