Become a choir member
Sing as part of the Berlin Cathedral Choir
Prospective candidates looking to sing with the Berlin Cathedral Choir should have both a good voice and solid choir experience. Those who can sing at sight have an easier time getting to grips with the extensive programme.
The Berlin Cathedral Choir welcomes singers up to the age of 40 years. Any decision regarding exemptions, e.g. for newcomers, is made by the Choirmaster. Following an audition the Choirmaster decides on the person's potential membership to the choir, which typically finishes at the end of a person’s 60th year of life.
Berlin Cathedral Choir consists of several groupings. The primary grouping is the Oratorio Choir, which rehearses on a weekly basis and is open to all applicants who meet the set requirements. The Cantata Choir, the Chamber Choir, the Schola and the A-cappella Choir are selective choirs.
The Choir Council bears responsibility for the choir's work. Individual details are covered by the Choir Regulations.
Rehearsal location:
Berliner Dom, Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin (bus 100/200, suburban railway (S-Bahn) stop. Hackescher Markt)
in the Sophie-Charlotte-Saal
Rehearsal time:
weekly on Mondays from 7:15 PM to 9:45 PM,
rehearsal for the sub-choirs or the Cantata Choir as required from 9 PM to 9:45 PM
Additional choir groupings:
Choirs A and B
regularly support the Cathedral’s services of worship.
The Cantata Choir
rehearses for the cantata services as well as for the oratorios which require a smaller group. Individuals with a special vocal and musical aptitude can be asked to join the Oratorio Choir.
The A-cappella Choir
rehearses at weekends for Cathedral Vespers and a cappella concerts in and beyond Berlin. It is also a selective choir. The A-cappella Choir has recorded a CD on four occasions. Following the double CD with music for the ‘Genevan Psalter’ under the guidance of Herbert Hildebrandt, a CD was recorded in 2008 with choral works by Albert Becker (1834-1899) under the direction of Tobias Brommann. Go to CD overview.
The Schola
and other project choirs convene for special projects.
Sing along with the Berlin State and Cathedral Choir
At present the Berlin State and Cathedral Choir is providing training to approximately 250 choirboys and 75 young men in 11 different choir groups. The groups have different tasks and age profiles depending on the skills and abilities of the singers.
Precise information about the individual choir groups can be found here.
The State and Cathedral Choir promotes gifted boys through the provision of a free, foundation musical education. During one-on-one and group lessons, a select number of teaching staff from the Berlin University of the Arts offer training and support to future concert singers.
While the boys in the junior groups get the chance to gain some early experience during smaller performances, the advanced singers frequently sing in concerts and during services, both on the radio and television.
The Berlin State and Cathedral Choir Boys’ Choir takes regular opportunity to showcase its work with the next generation of singers in a concert held at the Berlin University of the Arts: Choral groups perform and the choirmaster reports on the choir's work. Thereafter follows the opportunity for an introduction with the voice coaches and the chance to apply for admission to the choir. The children sing a song out loud and are tested for their voice and listening skills. It is solely about the ability to hit individual notes and re-sing simple melodies. If candidates are deemed sufficiently talented, a free and qualified musical training to become a singer with the Berlin State and Cathedral Choir is possible.
Boys aged between 5 and 7 years (prior knowledge and training not required) are welcome, as well as older boys with previous musical training. Even lateral entrants are most welcome to join! Those who missed the final application date or who were unable to attend can schedule an individual interview appointment at any time.
Join in with The English Choir Berlin
The English Choir Berlin warmly invites singers of all pitches (SATB including counter-tenor) to audition. Prerequisites includes a passion for English cathedral music, solid choral experience, good sight reading and a singing voice which is able to blend.
Choir rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 6.30 PM – 8.45 PM in Berlin Cathedral. Every now and then additional rehearsals are held. Given the pace of practice and the amount of material that has to be worked through for the performances held every month, regular and reliable attendance by choral singers to both rehearsals and performances is expected. It is also expected that choral singers practice and prepare for performances as needed in their own time.<br/> <br/>We are an international choir. The rehearsals are in English, but most choir members also speak German.
Contact via www.englishchoirberlin.com