A cultural trademark

Evening Events

With 300 events every year - ranging from lectures, concerts and exhibitions to elaborate opera productions - the Folkwang University of the Arts offers the public a varied program. These events may take place on our six in-house stages or in collaboration with the numerous cultural institutions in the Region such as the Philharmonie in Essen, the Schauspielhaus Bochum, Musiktheater im Revier in Gelsenkirchen, the Duisburg Philharmonic, the theatres in Wuppertal, the Ruhr Festival in Recklinghausen and many more.

Ensembles

At the Folkwang University of the Arts there are eight musical ensembles, reflecting the university's stylistic diversity, practical orientation and high standards:

Folkwang Ensemble in Residence

The title of Folkwang Ensemble in Residence was first awarded in 2008 by the Folkwang University of the Arts and the Dr. Josef and Brigitte Pauli Foundation. It is intended specifically to foster young ensembles that have a promising future ahead of them and are on the verge of establishing themselves in international concert life. The Folkwang Ensemble in Residence is the public face of the chamber music program at the Folkwang University of the Arts, and the award stands as a recognition and an appreciation for chamber music interpretation at the highest level.

Folkwang University of the Arts Orchestra

The Folkwang University of the Arts' orchestra is made up of participants from all of the instrumental courses. Here prospective professional musicians work on repertoire from all stylistic periods. The orchestra has been in existence since the founding of the Folkwang School in 1927 and has been conducted since 1998 by Prof. David de Villiers.

Folkwang Brass Band

The Folkwang Brass Band was founded in the winter semester of 2005 to support and foster brass instrumental training. It is the first brass band at a German conservatorium. Its earliest appearances included four international football matches, where the band played the national anthem. The leader of the Folkwang Brass Band is Heinrich Schmidt.

Folkwang University of the Arts Big Band

All students in the Jazz course take their turn playing in the Folkwang University of the Arts' Big Band. The band gives numerous concerts, both within and outside the university, playing a repertoire that covers the entire classic jazz literature.

Folkwang Concert Choir

Students with a special interest in ensemble singing, in meeting a vocal and artistic challenge, and in a whole spectrum of musical styles take part in this vocal ensemble. The repertoire of the ensemble, which was founded in 2005 by Prof. Jörg Breiding, extends from works of early polyphony to the present.

Musical/Pop Combo

The Musical/Pop Combo is an ensemble made up of students in both the Musicals and Jazz programs and has a tradition of many years' standing at the Folkwang University of the Arts. In spring of every year several concerts take place both in and outside the university. Prof. Wolf Burbat is the director.

folkwang modern

folkwang modern is a permanent ensemble for new music. Its repertoire is primarily oriented to the music of the present day as well as the significant works and composers of the 20th century. The ensemble, which is still new, presented its first full-length public concert program at the end of 2006. The founder and director is Prof. Günter Steinke.

Folkwang Dance Studio (Folkwang Tanzstudio or FTS)

The Folkwang Dance Studio is a company that works internationally, currently employing 10 professional dancers from around the world. Its home is at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. First founded in 1928 by Kurt Jooss, it can look back on an 80-year success story and many changes during that time. Over the years, choreographers such as Pina Bausch, Susanne Linke, Reinhild Hoffmann, Urs Dietrich, Mark Sieczkarek and most recently - from April 1999 to September 2008 - Henrietta Horn have been decisive in shaping the profile of the FTS with their choreographic works. Pina Bausch was artistic director of the Folkwang Dance Studio until her death in June 2009. From July 2009 the Folkwang Dance Studio is working under the artistic direction of Lutz Förster and Rodolpho Leoni.

ICEM

The inter-departmental Institute of Computer Music and Electronic Media (ICEM for short) was founded in 1990 and is still unique for a school of the arts in Germany. It arose from the studio for live electronic music that was set up at beginning of the 1970s. In addition to four electronic studios, the Institute has a recording studio, a studio for audio, video and media and a project studio for the jazz course. With the finest possible equipment and meeting the highest of standards, composers of the future become familiar in ICEM with contemporary forms of musical/media composition. Interdisciplinary projects of international significance that span the whole of the Hochschule's areas of activity are brought into being here.

Folkwang Prize

The Folkwang Prize is awarded by the GFFF (Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer der Folkwang Hochschule e.V - Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Folkwang University of the Arts). Each carrying prize money of €2,500 are awarded to students in the summer semester every year for their artistic performance in the following areas: music, Performing Art, Composition or Jazz (alternating year by year) and for a concept concert (every two years).