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. Exceptions, for example, such as new arrivals are approved by the Cathedral Choirmaster. Following an audition the decision is made about the person's potential membership to the choir, which typically finishes at the end of a person’s 60th year of life.

Choirmaster Herbert Hildebrandt founded the Berlin Cathedral Choir immediately after the construction of the Berlin Wall in October 1961. At this point in time, Choirmaster Hildebrandt had not just lost his original choir but also the Cathedral. The State and Cathedral Choir, which up until this time had organised concerts and services at Berlin Cathedral, had its headquarters in the west of the city.

Concerts, church services and rehearsals are naturally part of the regular calendar of events for a choir member – in the same way as are choir celebrations, choir festivals and our monthly so-called ‘choir beer’. Some of our singers have been faithful to the choir for many years. Friendships are created as the result of a shared love of music. You can learn more about our choir community here.

Music at Berlin Cathedral can have an uplifting, reassuring and even inspiring effect on its listeners. It is the numerous works of choir music that are as good as tailor-made for Berlin Cathedral; its outstanding acoustics and near-professional amateur ensemble – the Domkantorei or “Berlin Cathedral Choir”.

The Berlin Cathedral Choir elects a Choir Council from its members. It represents the link between the choir and choirmaster and supports him in primarily non-artistic tasks. The Council decides the Choir Regulations, promotes the choral community and is the point of contact for all singers. The Choir Council consists of six members, who were elected in June 2016: Gislind Heinecke, Frederike Schmidt (soprano), Birgit Hottenbacher, Josefine Häßler (alto), Wilhelm Furian, Björn Kruse (bass).

Choirmaster Herbert Hildebrandt founded the Berlin Cathedral Choir immediately after the construction of the Berlin Wall in October 1961. At this point in time, Choirmaster Hildebrandt had not just lost his original choir but also the Cathedral. The State and Cathedral Choir, which up until this time had organised concerts and services at Berlin Cathedral, had its headquarters in the west of the city.

Choir work not only requires committed and regular practice, but also costs (a significant amount of) money. The Berlin Cathedral Choir is predominantly funded by the Berlin Cathedral, but also frequently requires additional support. The sponsoring association ‘Förderkreis der Berliner Domkantorei’ has been registered as a charitable association since 2002. The Association is also made up of friends and concert enthusiasts – some of whom have been involved for several decades – in addition to many choir members.

Cathedral Choir CDs can be purchased from the Cathedral shop, or you can simply send an order email to the Office of the Berlin Cathedral Choir: domkantorei@berlinerdom.de

Albert Becker: Psalms and liturgical music for the ‘Genevan Psalter’ (double CD)
Choir music for the Advent and Christmas period
Spiritual music spanning 500 years

During the coming season you will once again have the opportunity to purchase your annual subscription for four, five or six concerts by the Cathedral Choir. The price for the tickets is thereby reduced by 20%. The prices for all five subscription concerts are between €32,- and €163,20 depending on the category. More information about applying for a subscription can be found here.