In 1963 he achieved one of his greatest ambitions by setting up a boarding school in England, the Yehudi Menuhin School. Intended for promising young musicians, it was based on the concept of the Central School of Moscow, where the students receive both their scholastic and musical education under one roof. In 1977 he founded the International Menuhin Music Academy for young graduate string players in Gstaad, Switzerland. The Academy became the site of the Menuhin Music Festival, of which he was artistic director for 40 years. For his contribution he was awarded Swiss citizenship.