Planting trees at the Verbier Festival 2023
© Janosh Ourtilane
Harmonic Progression is a Swiss-based, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to sustainability in classical music.
Working internationally, we aim to inspire the entire classical music community – from institutions and musicians to audiences – to embrace environmental action. We believe the vast majority of people in classical music want to do good and help protect our planet but face common barriers: questioning their impact, lacking awareness of environmental facts, or struggling to find time for change. We bridge this gap through eco-workshops, resource-sharing initiatives, and digital campaigns.
Our mission is to empower the classical music community with knowledge, practical solutions, and a supportive network. Through collaborative initiatives, we're transforming individual and institutional actions into industry-wide environmental impact. Harmonic Progression is here to help turn good intentions into meaningful change.
Our Campaigns aim to give people in classical music a chance to start helping today.
Strings4All
Strings4All is an awareness campaign that addresses sustainability in classical music through practical action. We collect used instrument strings from musicians in Europe, the USA, and Australasia, and give them new life by distributing them to musicians in need across Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, and Thailand. With over 15,000 strings distributed to date, we're helping prevent musicians from having to stop playing due to the high cost of strings whilst promoting sustainability through reuse. Our vision is to have collection boxes in concert halls worldwide. Click here to find out how you can get involved.
Eco Workshops
Harmonic Progression's founder Sam Goldscheider leads specially developed, free workshops for music conservatoires, concert organisers, artist agencies and ensembles, providing a unique platform for dialogue about sustainability in classical music. In 2024, we delivered 13 successful workshops at institutions including the Verbier Festival, Zurich University of the Arts, IMG Artists London, and Royal College of Music Stockholm.
Over 18 more workshops are planned for 2025 across Switzerland, UK, US, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Click here to learn more about our workshops and how to organise one for your institution.
One Task a Month
One Task a Month is a digital campaign empowering classical musicians to take environmental action. Through monthly challenges, we provide accessible ideas and create supportive communities for sustainable practices. Each participant's journey is showcased across our digital platforms, inspiring industry-wide change through small, meaningful actions. Join our growing network of musicians making a difference for our planet.
Online Networking Meetings
Join our online community meetings where representatives from Swiss music institutions exchange insights on sustainable practices in classical music. We're creating a robust network to drive ecological innovation across the sector. If you're a Swiss music institution interested in participating, contact us for more information about upcoming sessions.
Climate Concerts
Interactive concert formats that combine musical performances with elements from Eco Workshops. These free events create a unique space for exchanging ideas about sustainability – both through dialogue with the audience and among participating local musicians. The concerts feature specially selected repertoire focussing on climate, nature and environmental themes. Audiences are encouraged to actively ask questions, share ideas and engage in discussions about sustainability. More information about our 2025 climate concerts will be announced soon.
Harmonic Progression is led by a dedicated Board of Directors. The founder, Sam Goldscheider, has worked in classical music management for over 14 years. He started Harmonic Progression to help more people in the classical music world think about and take action for our planet.
Since 2016, he has held the position of Orchestra Manager at the Verbier Festival, where he initiated the Green Project in 2019 to reduce the festival's environmental impact. Sam's career includes significant roles within major musical organisations across Europe, including IMG Artists London, the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sony Classical Berlin. Before settling in Switzerland, he held the position of Executive Assistant to Jasper Parrott at the international artist management group Harrison Parrott. Originally from the United Kingdom and of Czech heritage, Sam holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Cambridge. In 2024, he officially established the Harmonic Progression association, dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and action within the classical music industry.
What does he really think will help? More people realising that their actions do count, that they have the power to inspire those around them, and that we’re all connected, rather than more important than, and disconnected with, the rest of the world.
Sofia Livotov joined Harmonic Progression as Administrative Coordinator in November 2024. As a freelance opera singer and graduate of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, she brings valuable artistic insight to her role. Working as an independent contractor, she coordinates the association's key initiatives including Strings4All, Eco Workshops, Climate Concerts and the One Task a Month campaign. Her responsibilities span administrative support, fundraising coordination, sustainability research and project management. She brings her knowledge of the classical music industry as well as extensive experience in fundraising, administration and sustainability initiatives to the role.