The foremost goal: personal development
The SJMW sees its task as encouraging broad participation and supporting talented young musicians. Its foremost goal, however, is personal development. The demands of modern society and working life are higher than ever. Acting on this understanding is a priority. Intensive engagement with music and active music-making can contribute to developing personality and acquiring the skills needed for modern society.
For example, years of purposeful practice on an instrument have been shown to have a positive effect on young people’s personal development. Thanks to perseverance, determination and diligence, they are successful in their later careers — not only in music, but just as often in technical and scientific fields.
Numerous patrons and sponsors, as well as the public sector, support young people with the goal of providing a sound education and broad personal development. Without their support, it would not be possible to run the SJMW professionally.
Main partners
Federal Office of Culture
The Federal Office of Culture (FOC), responsible for the Confederation’s cultural policy and for promoting, preserving and communicating cultural diversity, supports cultural creation in areas such as art and film, manages museums and collections, supports the preservation of historic monuments and is committed to cultural education. To fulfil these tasks, the FOC is organised into the areas “Cultural Heritage and Outreach” and “Cultural Creation and Cultural Diversity”.
Hirschmann-Stiftung
The Hirschmann Foundation is committed to the vocational education of young adults. Through its commitment to the Swiss Youth Music Competition, it also focuses on the musical education of young people. The Hirschmann Foundation’s board is convinced that supporting young people’s musical development has a positive effect not only on their lives, but also on society as a whole.
Fondation SUISA
The Fondation SUISA receives its financial resources through an annual allocation of 2.5% of SUISA’s income from performance and broadcasting rights in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Since 1989, the Fondation SUISA has supported Swiss musical creation in all genres. It supports projects by Swiss composers and music publishers that promote the work of Swiss composers. It also edits and distributes recorded anthologies of all musical genres to ensure as broad an offering as possible in Swiss musical creation. Its activities also include promoting Swiss music at home and abroad, for example by organising appearances at trade fairs.
All Swiss cantons
- With the support of the Republic and the canton of Neuchâtel
- Principality of Liechtenstein
Loterie Romande
Visit website (opens in a new window)Founders since the foundation was established in 1999
Founders
SUISA, Cooperative Society of Music Authors and Publishers
Visit website (opens in a new window)Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich
Visit website (opens in a new window)Swiss Wind Band Association SBV
Visit website (opens in a new window)Swiss Music Schools Association VMS
Visit website (opens in a new window)Ruth and Ernst Burkhalter Foundation
Visit website (opens in a new window)Conference of Swiss Music Universities KMHS
Visit website (opens in a new window)Swiss Music Pedagogical Association SMPV
Visit website (opens in a new window)SONART – Swiss Musicians Association
Visit website (opens in a new window)Ruth Burkhalter
Ruth Burkhalter (1930–2025) supported the SJMW for many years. Through her passion for music and her commitment to young Swiss musicians (also through the Ruth and Ernst Burkhalter Foundation), she made a substantial contribution to enabling the SJMW to be held to a high standard.
Further partners 2025/2026
Further partners
Dr. Adolf Streuli-Stiftung
Fondation Johanna Dürmüller-Bol
Fuchs-Eugster Stiftung
Hans Eggenberger-Stiftung
Heinrich Mezger Stiftung
IDEA Helvetia Stiftung
Max Wiederkehr-Stiftung
Octapharma-Stiftung
RHL Foundation
Schüller Stiftung
Steinegg Stiftung
Ruth and Ernst Burkhalter Foundation
Stiftung STAB
2025/2026 · Organisers
Entrada
Musikschule Arbon
Visit website (opens in a new window)Conservatoire de musique neuchâtelois
Visit website (opens in a new window)Conservatoire Populaire de musique danse et théâtre Genève
Visit website (opens in a new window)Musikschule Unterägeri
Visit website (opens in a new window)Konservatorium Winterthur
Visit website (opens in a new window)Pôle musique Sion
Visit website (opens in a new window)Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
Visit website (opens in a new window)Final
Musikschule Konservatorium Zürich
Visit website (opens in a new window)Cooperation partners
EMCY – European Union of Music Competitions for Youth
Visit website (opens in a new window)Swiss Music Council SMR
Visit website (opens in a new window)Swiss Music Review
Visit website (opens in a new window)Special-prize donors
Together with our partners, we have developed a varied and extensive range of special prizes and musical projects. These are available to support our prizewinners over the long term. These opportunities are intended to make a meaningful contribution to participants’ musical development beyond the competition.