50 years of the Lucerne Jazz School
In 1972, a handful of young jazz musicians in Lucerne began to pass on their skills to young people and adults. What was then the Lucerne Jazz School Association (VJSL) became today's Institute for Jazz and Folk Music at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
As a self-organized school without state support and diploma recognition, the then jazz school offered courses in theory and instrumental lessons. In its founding year, 60 students had already enrolled and soon after, interested students came from all over Switzerland. The school fees covered the small salaries of the teachers, who were initially self-employed and had no social security.
From 1977, 20 teachers were employed. The Jazz School Lucerne received its first official recognition in 1985 when it was awarded the Vestag Culture Prize of 10,000 francs. In 1990, the first class of twelve students was able to start with a state-recognized professional qualification. A short time later, the number of students in the general department exceeded 400.
In 1999, the Lucerne Jazz School was granted university of applied sciences status. At the same time, the three music institutes - the Lucerne Jazz School, the Conservatory and the Academy for School and Church Music - were merged to form today's Lucerne School of Music.
