Ensemble playground
A unique playing experience: in the summer semester of 2024, music education students were invited to the EnsembleSpielPlatz at the University of Music. This was an opportunity to deepen your own love of music and to rediscover and live out the joy of playing music together - with or without previous knowledge. The focus was on playful enjoyment: Playing on and with the instrument, playing together in small ensembles, guided and accompanied by the music education students. The focus was less on virtuosity and more on the joy of discovery and creative exchange in an open, relaxed and inspiring atmosphere.
After a joint introduction with everyone, the focus was on playing in smaller ensembles. One group familiarised themselves with the piece "Styx" by Anestis Logothetis and, building on this, composed their own work with graphic notation. Another group set two very different pictures to music in a creative way: one was "Der Erlkönig" by Moritz von Schwind, which was brought to life with instruments and spoken text (by Wolfgang von Goethe). And another group played an improvisation game with playing instructions on cards, with individual participants slipping into the role of conductor.
Statements from participants and students
- "The ensemble playground lived up to its name - because the participants clearly enjoyed discovering and improvising with the instruments and in the group." - J.K.
- "It was really worth trying something new and appealing to a different audience - adults who didn't necessarily have any previous musical knowledge. And you realised that this really isn't absolutely necessary to make music together." - M.S.
- "The project was very harmonious! All the participants were able to learn something new and take something away for themselves: discovering, getting to know and trying out new instruments and experimenting with new sounds, noises and playing techniques. The social aspect also played a very important role. Many of the participants played music with other people for the first time, which led to new social experiences, joy and fun in connection with music." - D.U.
- "That was just mega sweet. Yes, I thought so too, and it was really fun!" J.H. and E.B.
- "It was very original and stimulating. I was able to take away new experiences and impressions." anonymous
Experiencing Music! Evening Program at the University of Music Karlsruhe
The Experiencing Music! Evening Program at the University of Music Karlsruhe is aimed at all those interested in music who want to learn more about the subject. Since 2017, participants have worked two evenings per semester with students under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Cornelia Wild und Prof. Dr. Eveline Unruh (Music Education) and Professor Edith Metzner (Music Theory). Items are chosen for two separate concert programs, including solo recital, symphonic concert, and grand opera. In this way, two appealing choices are proposed: an interdisciplinary seminar for students, in which the respective content is prepared in terms of music theory and methodology and didactics, while new fields of adult education are explored. In addition, an additional range of events, inspiring interchange and innovative opportunities for all, lead to better understanding of music at evening concerts that the class attends together, with questions addressed for these who seek background information and context about music.
Vespers Church Choir
Inspired by the Karlsruhe Vesperkirche, the Vesper Church Choir project began in 2016 in cooperation with the university’s master's degree program in music education. Conducted with enthusiasm and pedagogical skill, the Vesper Church Choir now numbers over 50 singers and heartens audience in different performances. Each week enthusiastic singers, Vesperkirche visitors and guests as well as volunteers and friends, meet to sing together, experiencing community and contentment.
Experiencing Music! in the Stephanienstift Geriatric Center
In 2016, cooperation with the Stephanienstift Geriatric Center began with a multi-string harp program. Participants become acquainted with, touch, and experiment with musical instruments while listening and participating. The group listens with interest to different instrumental and vocal samples, information about the history and construction of different instruments, and sing folk songs enthusiastically with students at regularly scheduled Experiencing Music! sessions.
