Stefan Escher to become new director of the CSMJ Foundation
At its meeting on January 29, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Swiss Youth Music Competition (SYMC) elected Stefan Escher from Zurich as its new Director. He succeeds Valérie Probst.
Stefan Escher comes from a family of musicians and has been familiar with the music scene for 15 years as an artist agent and concert organizer. From 2015 to 2019, he directed the Meisterinterpreten concert series at Zurich's Tonhalle, and since 2020, he has been an artist agent at IMG Artists, responsible for international instrumentalists and conductors. He also brings experience in the banking sector and holds a Master's degree in Arts Management. The Foundation Board is delighted to entrust Stefan Escher with the management of the Foundation, and wishes him every success and pleasure in his new role.
Stefan Escher succeeds Valérie Probst. She will be leaving the Foundation at the end of February 2025, to take up new challenges. During her 18 years with the Foundation, Valérie Probst has made a decisive contribution to the development of the CSMJ competition, thanks to her great commitment. Under her leadership, incentive projects have been implemented, offering valuable opportunities for prizewinners and providing them with lasting experiences. In this context, Valérie Probst has always been a reliable and inspiring companion for up-and-coming musicians.
The Foundation Board deeply regrets this departure and warmly thanks Valérie Probst for her long-standing and extremely valuable commitment to Switzerland's next generation of musicians, and for the constructive and fruitful collaboration. The Foundation Board wishes her all the best for the future and every success in her new projects.
Andreas Wegelin, CEO of SUISA, the Zurich-based Cooperative of Music Authors and Publishers, now chairs the Foundation Board.
