A total of 12 ensembles provide for a vibrant musical presence at the Folkwang University of the Arts. All the ensembles work on a continuous basis and with changing musicians. You will find more information on the ensembles below.
The Folkwang University of the Arts Symphony Orchestra comprises members of all instrumental courses. Here prospective professional musicians work on repertoires encompassing all stylistic periods. The orchestra has existed ever since the founding of the Folkwang School in 1927Orchesterbrett
The Folkwang University of the Arts Chamber Orchestra focuses on performing baroque and classical works as well as more modern musical literature. In some cases, the smaller amount of musicians allows the orchestra to play without a conductor, the concertmaster leading from his desk. The rather lean sound produced compared to the Symphony Orchestra is particularly suited for collaboration with soloists. Playing in a chamber orchestra is equivalent to playing chamber music in an orchestral framework. During the rehearsals and performances, the young up-and-coming musicians of the Folkwang University of the Arts interact intensively on a personal level with soloists and conductors, from whose rich international experience they are able to learn. It is for this reason that the projects of the Chamber Orchestra are realised preferredly with guests and visiting professors as well as selected soloists from within the university, who present themselves within the framework of the concert programme.
In dem Ensemble Folkwang BAROCK finden sich zweimal pro Semester Studierende der Fachgruppe Alte Musik an der Folkwang Universität der Künste zusammen. Die Besetzung ist variabel, das Repertoire reicht von Kammermusik bis hin zur groß besetzten Orchesterliteratur des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts. Die historische Aufführungspraxis auf Originalinstrumenten wird bei öffentlichen Konzerten hörbar gemacht. Die Leitung liegt wechselweise bei den Instrumentallehrenden der Fachgruppe.
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 to be formed at a German conservatory. Its earliest appearances included at four international football matches, where the band played the national anthem. The Director of the Folkwang BRASS BAND is Heinrich Schmidt.
There are various choral ensembles at the Folkwang University of the Arts, each with different tasks, subjects of focus and aims. The Choral Singing syllabus comprises the following topics: choral vocal training, sight-singing, aural training, choral practice, repertoire studies and presentation of the resulting pieces as part of internal music lessons and public concert projects.
There are also students in the Folkwang CONCERT CHOIR, who, going beyond their study course commitments, develop their own interest in ensemble singing, vocal and artistic challenges as well as stylistic diversity. This vocal ensemble consists of between 16 and 40 singers depending on project and programme. The repertoire comprises works ranging from early vocal polyphonic compositions up to the present day. The key requirements for both participation in the ensembles and the success of working together are commitment as well as readiness for intensive rehearsals and individual initiative.
The artistic director of the Folkwang KONCERT CHOIR is Prof. Jörg Breiding, Professor of Conducting | Choral Direction at the Folkwang University of Arts since 2005.
> More information on the composition of the choir at Folkwang
The Folkwang Vocal Ensemble was founded in October 2009 by Prof. Jörg Breiding, emerging from the Folkwang University of the Arts Concert Choir. The young singers are students or graduates of the Folkwang University of the Arts and have studied School Music, Church Music, Instrumental or Vocal Pedagogy with Vocal Studies as the main subject. In addition, all the members of the ensemble can call upon many years of choral experience. For example, they have sung in the Girls Choir at Essen Cathedral or in the NRW Youth Choir and – for the most part – have already taken on soloist assignments.
The repertoire consists of spiritual and secular works ranging from the Renaissance period up to the modern day, as well as traditionals, folk songs, close harmony and pop arrangements. The ensemble has taken part in master courses with Peter Philips / Tallis Scholars (April 2010) and the Hilliard Ensemble (May 2011). The performance of the Folkwang Vocal Ensemble as part of the »!Sing Day of Song 2010« was broadcast live on WDR3.
In 2012, the Folkwang Vocal Ensemble performed a concert as part of the International A-Cappella Week in Hanover. The »FOLKWANG VOCAL« CD with recordings made by the Folkwang Vocal Ensemble has appeared in the FOLKWANG CD EDITION series.
_Contact
breiding@folkwang-uni.de
Gleichstimmiges Vokalensembles der Folkwang Universität der Künste
Das Ensemble „Upper Voices“ wurde von ausgewählten Sängerinnen aus dem Folkwang Frauenchor und Studierenden der Klasse Prof. Werner Schepp an der Folkwang Universität der Künste gegründet.
Das Repertoire des solistisch besetzten Ensembles umfasst Werke des Frühbarock bis zur Moderne. Einen deutlichen Schwerpunkt bildet die Interpretation der Werke skandinavischer und englischer Komponisten.
Seit seiner Gründung im Jahre 2016 konnte das Ensemble in zahlreichen Konzerten und außergewöhnlichen Programmen mit geistlicher und weltlicher Musik überzeugen.
Die Leitung des Ensembles liegt in den Händen von Werner Schepp, Professor für Singen mit Kindern und Jugendlichen | Chorleitung an der Folkwang Universität der Künste.
_Kontakt
schepp(at)folkwang-uni.de
The Folkwang Musical Pop Combo is an ensemble made up of students in both the Musicals and Jazz study courses and has a long-standing tradition at Folkwang. Every year in the spring, several concerts take place both in and outside the university.
All the students in the Jazz course take their turn playing in the Folkwang JAZZ ORCHESTRA. The band gives numerous concerts, both within and outside the university, playing a repertoire that covers the entire literature of classic jazz.
Since its sounding in 2005, the folkwang modern Ensemble has been dedicated to the interpretation of contemporary music and the Folkwang University of the Arts ensemble for Contemporary Music. Under the artistic direction of the composer and university teacher Prof. Günter Steinke, the young ensemble has – within a short time – succeeded in developing into a professional orchestra and ensemble. Since 2005, Eva Fodor has been the resident conductor of the ensemble. In addition, it has also worked with a variety of alternating guest conductors. The programme includes not only works by modern masters but also premieres of young composers. Since 2007, the folkwang modern Ensemble has regularly performed in the region – for example, in the Essen Philharmonia and at the Zeche Zollverein World Cultural Heritage Site – and guests at numerous cooperation projects.