Kammerchor Berlin triumphs at international choir event in Ireland!

Kammerchor Berlin triumphs at international choir event in Ireland!

On May 23, 2025, the Collegium Musicum Berlin will look back on an exciting time, characterized by success and musical exchange. The chamber choir of the Collegium Musicum recently won first prize at the renowned Fleischmann International Trophy Competition. This competition took place as part of the Cork International Choral Festival takes place in Ireland, one of the most important choral concerts in the world.

Under the direction of Donka Miteva, the members of the chamber choir captivated audiences with a demanding repertoire that included works by composers such as Wilhelm Berger, Heinrich Schütz, Michael Ostrzyga and Selga Mence. Winning this prize strengthens the international reputation of Berlin University Music and demonstrates the high musical quality of the ensemble.

Upcoming events at the Collegium Musicum

The Collegium Musicum Berlin is planning a friendship concert on May 31, 2025 at 6 p.m., which will take place in the Henry Ford Building at the Free University of Berlin. This concert provides a platform for the Collegium Musicum Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the Orchester Universitaire de Strasbourg. The two orchestras will perform under the direction of Donka Miteva and Mauro Mariani and present works by European composers.

Scheduled performances include Dora Pejačević's 1st Symphony (4th movement), Ethel Smyth's Overture to "The Wreckers" and Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" Overture. The Orchester Universitaire de Strasbourg will also perform Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony.

Long-term partnerships and future plans

The collaboration between the university orchestras has existed since 2018 and began as part of the “European Student Orchestra Festival” (ESOF). Future plans include a return visit by the Berliner Ensemble to Strasbourg in 2026. The Collegium Musicum is a joint institution of the Free University of Berlin and the Technical University of Berlin and offers students and alumni numerous opportunities for musical activity with a total of five ensembles.

New contributors are always welcome and information on how to get started with Collegium Musicum is available on the official website.

The importance of the Cork International Choral Festival

The Cork International Choral Festival not only offers a competition, but also a variety of festival activities. The organization stipulates that selected choirs do not take part in events such as the Choral Trail or the closing gala. Such a format promotes exchange among international choirs who travel from all over the world to present their art. Further information about these activities can be found on the website European Choral Association to find.

Applications for the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition 2026 are already open, motivating numerous amateur international choirs to take up the challenge. For participants, the experience in Cork includes not only the competition, but also an extensive network of contacts and experiences in the field of choral music.