Ensembles at the Folkwang University of the Arts

A total of eleven ensembles makes for a lively musical presence at the Folkwang. All ensembles operate on an ongoing basis and with changing memberships.


Ensemble in Residence

The title of Folkwang Ensemble in Residence was awarded for the first time in 2008/2009 by the Folkwang University and the Dr. Josef and Brigitte Pauli Foundation. The express intention was to encourage young ensembles that have promising futures and are poised to establish themselves in international concert life. The Folkwang Ensemble in Residence is the flagship for the Folkwang Hochschule’s artistic chamber music training and is considered to be an honour for and an appreciation of chamber-music interpretations at the highest level. The Gémaux Quartett is the Ensemble in Residence in 2010/2011.


Folkwang Symphony Orchestra

The Folkwang Symphony Orchestra is made up of members from all the instrumental classes. Here prospective professional musicians  work on repertoire from every stylistic period. The orchestra has been in existence since the founding of the Folkwangschule in 1927.

To the digital Orchestra board

Folkwang Brass Band

The Folkwang Brass Band was set up in Winter Semester 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 it played the national anthem. The Folkwang Brass Band is directed by Heinrich Schmidt.


Folkwang Hochschule Big Band

All students in the Jazz program take their turn in playing in the Folkwang Hochschule Big Band. The Band gives numerous concerts both within and outside the Hochschule, in with a repertoire covering the whole of the classic Jazz literature.


Folkwang Concert Choir

Students who take part in this ensemble bring to it a particular interest in ensemble singing, in vocal and artistic challenges and a wide range of styles. The repertoire of the ensemble, which was founded in 2005 by Prof. Jörg Breiding, includes works from early vocal polyphony to the present.


More Information about the choir structure

Musical/Pop Combo

The Musical/Pop-Combo is a shared ensemble of students from the Musicals and Jazz courses and has a long tradition at the Folkwang Hochschule. Several concerts are held in the spring of every year, both within and outside the Hochschule. Prof. Wolf Burbat is the director.


Further information on the Musical-Combo

folkwang modern

folkwang modern is a permanent ensemble for new music. In addition to the important pieces and composers of the 20th century, its repertoire is oriented mainly towards the music of the present. The still-young ensemble gave its first full-length public concert at the end of 2006. The founder and director is Prof. Günter Steinke.