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.
Bobin Kim wins the seventh German Prize for Choral Conducting and, at the same time, the Audience Award
The seventh German Choral Conducting Award has been awarded to Bobin Kim. She has been Deputy Choral Director at the Bavarian State Opera since the 2026/27 season. She emerged victorious from a field of three finalists at the German Choral Conducting Award. The prize is awarded by Forum Dirigieren, a project of the German Music Council, and the RIAS Chamber Choir Berlin. The prize money of 5,000 euros is sponsored by the German Music and Orchestra Association ‘unisono’ and the Association of German Opera and Dance Ensembles. In addition, the winner will receive engagements with the RIAS Chamber Choir Berlin, the SWR Vocal Ensemble, the WDR Radio Choir and the MDR Radio Choir.
The Ursula Lübbe Foundation also awarded the audience prize of 500 euros to Bobin Kim on Saturday evening. Furthermore, the Ursula Lübbe Foundation made it possible to livestream the concert. Bärenreiter Publishers presented all three finalists with vouchers for sheet music worth 300 euros each.
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
Selection:
Max Reger (1873–1916):
Schweigen, Op. 39, No. 1
Murray Schafer (1933 – 2021):
Chant to Make Fences Fall Down, from: Magic Songs, No. 2
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
Selection:
Albert Becker (1834–1899):
“O Shepherd of Israel, Hear”, Op. 89, No. 2
Murray Schafer (1933–2021):
“Chant to Make the Magic Work”, from: Magic Songs, No. 9
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
Selection:
Cyrillus Kreek (1889–1962):
Taaveti laul 22 “Mu Jumal! Mu Jumal!” (Psalm 22 “My God, my God”)
Murray Schafer:
Chant to Bring Back the Wolf, from: Magic Songs, No. 1
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 German Choral Conducting Award 2026
Sponsors of the German Choral Conducting Award
Winners since 2014
Bobin Kim
German Choral Conducting Award 2026
Katharina Morin
German Choral Conducting Award 2024
Hyunju Kwon
German Choral Conducting Award 2022
John Lidfors
German Choral Conducting Award 2021
Hsin-Chien Fröhlich
German Choral Conducting Award 2018
Hannes Reich
German Choral Conducting Award 2016
