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für Sänger:innen mit Erfahrung

Kammerchor der Uni Köln

Overview

Overview

Overview

The University of Cologne Chamber Choir, founded in 2008, is composed of students, staff, and alumni from all faculties of the University of Cologne and brings together music enthusiasts with choral experience and prior singing skills. The cornerstones of its repertoire are 20th- and 21st-century music (including numerous world premieres), small-scale oratorios, and early music.

The ensemble has performed at the “Long Night of Cologne’s Museums” as well as at the “Kölner Chorstimmen” festival and has presented world premieres at the “Acht Brücken | Musik für Köln” festival. As part of the “GegenSätze” program conceived by the Collegium musicum at the University of Cologne, the chamber choir has already collaborated with conductors from the U.S., Canada, the Czech Republic, and Latvia.

Concert tours have taken the ensemble to Boston, New York City, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Prague, Milan, Lucerne, and Antwerp, as well as to Bonn, Limburg, Münster, and Hanover in Germany; to the renowned “Night of the Choirs” in Hamburg; and to the Rheingau Festival.

Since December 2015, the recording of Mozart’s Requiem—completed by Duncan Druce and performed together with the chamber orchestra—has been available on CD. Works by Martin Herchenröder and Friedrich Jaecker have been recorded on CD, as have the soundtrack for the film “Holy Meat” (2024) and the arte documentary “Johannes Calvin – Reformer and Controversial Figure” (2009). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the choir produced numerous videos, including experimental ones, such as those created as part of an international collaboration with ensembles from the U.S. funded by the Goethe-Institut. In addition to its own concerts, the University of Cologne Chamber Choir is frequently booked, including on multiple occasions for the “Heute Show” on ZDF, for film music concerts with the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, and for concerts with the Gürzenich Orchestra. In the summer of 2025 and spring of 2026, the ensemble traveled as “Coro Piccolo” to perform “Carmina Burana” with the Gürzenich Orchestra and the Cologne Citizens’ Choir at the “Rheingau Music Festival,” as well as to Lucerne and Antwerp.

Conductor

University Music Director Michael Ostrzyga

Contact: Matthias Richter (SHK)
Tel: 0221 - 470 90 984

Program

  • September–December 2026
    Traditional Christmas Music
    In collaboration with the Madrigal Choir and Chamber Orchestra of the University of Cologne, featuring concerts at Cologne City Hall.
    Conductors: Gerhard de Buhr | Clara Smith | Albert Rundel
     
  • October–December 2026
    The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Live with the Film)
    In collaboration with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and WDR Radio Choir, the University of Cologne Choir, the Cologne Cathedral Choir, and the Cologne Cathedral Girls’ Choir, with concerts at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne and Oberhausen.
    Conductors: Ludwig Wicki | Rehearsal Director: UMD Michael Ostrzyga
     
  • October–January 2026
    Home Alone (Live with the Film)
    In collaboration with the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen and the University of Cologne Choir, with concerts in Frankfurt and Cologne (Philharmonie).
    Rehearsal Director: UMD Michael Ostrzyga
     
  • October 2026 – March 2027
    St. Matthew Passion (J.S. Bach)
    In collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra and Madrigal Choir of the University of Cologne, as well as the Chamber Choir of the University of Tübingen, with concerts at the Trinitatis Church in Cologne. Most of the rehearsals will not begin until January.
    Conductor: UMD Michael Ostrzyga
     
  • February – May 2027
    The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams / Recording of modern choral music
    Film music concerts in collaboration with the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, featuring concerts in Frankfurt (Alte Oper), Cologne (Philharmonie), Düsseldorf (Tonhalle), Hanover (Kuppelsaal). At the same time, rehearsals will be held for a professional recording of modern choral music and a joint concert with a choir from Mendoza (Argentina). An expense allowance will be provided.
    Conductor: UMD Michael Ostrzyga | Benjamin Pope
     
    • Film Music Pieces
    • Friedrich Jaecker: TOTENBUCH
    • Arvo Pärt: NUNC DIMITTIS
    • Trevor Weston: ASHES

Rehearsals

There are usually several projects each semester; some last only a weekend, while others last several months. Rehearsal times vary by project, but are usually on Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the music room. You can find the rehearsal schedules for upcoming projects below.

Next opportunity to join: September/October 2026 (Early Christmas Music / St. Matthew Passion)

Oder auch in gebündelter Form im KLIPS-Kalender.

Auditions / Getting Started

The chamber choir is open to experienced singers. Auditions are held primarily at the start of the semester, though they may also be held during the semester in individual cases; however, in most cases, new members will not join until the next project. The choir is open to both university members and non-university members.

After a successful audition, you can decide anew for each project whether or not you want to sign up. Some project phases last a weekend; others last several months. To ensure a sufficient level of vocal quality, participants are generally allowed only one absence (with prior notice) per project phase.

What happens during the audition? 

  • Exercises
  • Any prepared piece of your choice (please bring sheet music for piano accompaniment if desired)

Please arrive about 10 minutes before your appointment if you’d like to warm up, and wait outside the office door until you’re invited in. You’ll receive immediate feedback afterward on whether you’ve been accepted. Auditions take place in the Collegium musicum offices; a piano is available. Audition appointments can be booked here shortly before the start of each semester:

If all slots are already filled, please contact us by email to schedule an appointment outside the regular schedule during the first rehearsals. 

For more information: Matthias Richter (SHK)

Upcoming Concerts

05Dec

Alte Weihnachtsmusik

Köln | Rathaus | 18.00 Uhr

06Dec

Alte Weihnachtsmusik

Köln | Rathaus | 18.00 Uhr

07Dec

Kevin allein zuhaus - Live zum Film

Frankfurt | Alte Oper | 19.30 Uhr

19Dec

Der Herr der Ringe - Die Gefährten

Köln | Lanxess-Arena | 18.30 Uhr

20Dec

Der Herr der Ringe - Die Gefährten

Oberhausen | Rudolf-Weber-Arena | 17.00 Uhr

02Jan 2027

Kevin allein zuhaus - Live zum Film

Köln | Philharmonie | 15.00 Uhr

20Mar 2027

J. S. Bach - Matthäus-Passion

Köln | Trinitatiskirche | Uhrzeit: tba.

21Mar 2027

J. S. Bach - Matthäus-Passion

Köln | Trinitatiskirche | Uhrzeit: tba.

13May 2027

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams

Düsseldorf | Tonhalle | 19.30 Uhr

14May 2027

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams

Düsseldorf | Tonhalle | 19.30 Uhr