German Choral Conducting Award
Highlight and conclusion of the promotion of young talented choral conductors by the Forum Dirigieren
The German Choral Conducting Award – an initiative of the German Music Council in collaboration with the RIAS Kammerchor – is the highlight and culmination of the Forum Dirigieren’s efforts to support young, talented choral conductors. The RIAS Kammerchor, one of the world’s leading professional choirs, is the partner in awarding the prize every two years.
Final Concert: Saturday, 10 October 2026, 7 p.m. CET
St. Elisabeth-Kirche, Berlin-Mitte
They have become choir directors at the Stuttgart State Opera or the Salzburg State Theatre, deputy choir directors at the Semperoper Dresden or chief conductors of the SWR Vokalensemble - the careers of the finalists of the previous German Choral Conducting Awards are as varied as they are impressive.
Programme 2026
Johann Hermann Schein (1586 – 1630):
Turn, O Lord, and Have Mercy on Me, from: Israelsbrünnlein
Hugo Wolf (1860 – 1903):
Resignation, from: Six Sacred Songs, No. 3
Murray Schafer (1933 – 2001):
Chant to Make Fences Fall Down, from: Magic Songs, No. 2
Selection:
Max Reger (1873–1916):
Schweigen, Op. 39, No. 1
Johann Hermann Schein (1586–1630):
Teach Us to Reflect, from: Israelsbrünnlein
Hugo Wolf (1860–1903):
Last Request, from: Six Sacred Songs, No. 4
Exaltation, from: Six Sacred Songs, No. 6
Murray Schafer (1933–2001):
“Chant to Make the Magic Work”, from: Magic Songs, No. 9
Selection:
Albert Becker (1834–1899):
“O Shepherd of Israel, Hear”, Op. 89, No. 2
Johann Hermann Schein:
Rejoice in the Woman of Your Youth, from: Israelsbrünnlein
Hugo Wolf:
Aufblick, from: Six Sacred Songs, No. 1
Einklang, from: Six Sacred Songs, No. 2
Murray Schafer:
Chant to Bring Back the Wolf, from: Magic Songs, No. 1
Selection:
Cyrillus Kreek (1889–1962):
Taaveti laul 22 “Mu Jumal! Mu Jumal!” (Psalm 22 “My God, my God”)
Finalists 2026
Bobin Kim
Assistant Choir Director, Bavarian State Opera
Benedikt Kantert
Artistic Director, TU Dresden University Choirs
Nikolaas Schmeer
Conductor, freelance
RIAS Kammerchor
The RIAS Kammerchor Berlin, founded 78 years ago, is one of the world's leading professional choirs. 34 professionally trained singers make up the multinational ensemble, which is known for its precise sound. The repertoire ranges from historically informed performances of Renaissance and Baroque music to new interpretations of Classical and Romantic works and regular world premieres. With up to 50 concerts per season on stages in Germany and around the world, it ranks among the most important touring choirs in the country.
Jury 2026
Awards
The German Choral Conducting Award is endowed with
5.000 euros
sponsored by unisono, the German Music and Orchestra Association,
and the VdO — Association of German Opera and Dance Ensembles.
In addition, the awardee receives an engagement with the RIAS Kammerchor, the SWR Vocal Ensemble, the WDR Rundfunkchchor and the MDR-Rundfunkchor.
All finalists will receive a sponsorship prize from the Bärenreiter publishing house in the form of a music voucher worth 300 euros each.
Furthermore, the Ursula Lübbe Foundation is sponsoring the audience award, worth 500 euros, and the live stream.
Impressions from the 2024 German Choral Conducting Award
Sponsors of the German Choral Conducting Award
Winners since 2014
Katharina Morin
Awardee of the German Choral Conducting Award 2024
Hyunju Kwon
Awardee of the German Choral Conducting Award 2022
John Lidfors
Awardee of the German Choral Conducting Award 2021
Hsin-Chien Fröhlich
Awardee of the German Choral Conducting Award 2018
Hannes Reich
Awardee of the German Choral Conducting Award 2016
Manuel Pujol
Awardee of the German Choral Conducting Award 2014
