Ensembles, workshops and competitions

University ensembles and choirs

The performing and teaching work at the University is presented to the public by various ensembles and choirs. The famous madrigal choir comprises about 45 students who are studying singing, school music and church music. Since the choir's foundation, over 450 singers have worked on a wide range of repertoire which will be a great resource for them to use when they become choral directors of their own choirs.

All those studying orchestral instruments at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich are required to play in the University's Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra works on four or five concert programmes per academic year, and in addition, regular weekly repertoire rehearsals take place.

Guest conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Sergiu Celibidache, Sir Colin Davis, Krzysztof Penderecki, Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel and Mariss Jansons have worked with the orchestra.

The "ensemble oktopus für musik der moderne" specialises in 20th century and contemporary repertoire for chamber ensemble and orchestra. Those studying jazz at the University have the opportunity of playing in the U.M.P.A. jazz orchestra.

As well as these ensembles, there are numerous smaller chamber music groups which perform frequently within the University and further afield.

Competitions

In association with various foundations, the University organises the "International Jan Koetsier Competition for Brass Chamber Music" and the "Günter Bialas Competition for Chamber Music Composition"; the "Internationale Harfenwettbewerb der Josef Reinl-Stiftung" [International Harp Competition organised by the Josef Reinl Foundation] takes place alternately at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich and in Vienna. There is an annual competition for students for the "Musikpreis des Kulturkreis Gasteig e.V.", and the "Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender Wettbewerb" for baritones takes place from time to time at the University.

Workshops and courses

Regular lessons are complemented by workshops and courses, in which renowned international soloists work together with students. Examples include regular master courses given by the pianist András Schiff, courses given by the Deutsches Streichtrio and voice professors from the Juilliard School, the guitarists Alvaro Pierri and Roberto Aussel, violinist Mauricio Fuks and a songwriting workshop with Konstantin Wecker etc.; there are regular exchanges with partner conservatoires with reciprocal participation in classes and the stimulus which joint activities can offer. There is a particular emphasis on the Munich master courses in Montepulciano, where professors from the University work intensively with selected students, who subsequently go on to perform in concerts.

Publications

The University of Music and Performing Arts Munich produces a series of CDs recording the artistic quality and breadth of training it offers. Now extending to 45 CDs, the repertoire covered at the University ranges from early Gregorian music to the 21st century. Two regularly-published series of writings document the musicological and music education research work of the University. Individual volumes have been published on the University's main buildings in Arcisstraße 12 and the site at Luisenstraße 37a by the Munich publishing company Allitera Verlag.

Partnerships

The most important partner for the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich is the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding with our jointly-run courses in theatre subjects. There are close links with the Heinz Bosl Foundation, YEHUDI MENUHIN Live Music Now, Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, museums in the Munich arts quarter including the Pinakotheks, Lenbachhaus and Glyptothek, the Deutsches Museum, Münchner Stadtmuseum and Siemens Arts Program etc.