Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden & Amarcord
Biography Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden & Amarcord
Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden
The children's choir owes its foundation to an initiative of the then chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Kurt Masur, in 1967 and thus looks back on a history of more than fifty years. Today, the Dresden Philharmonic Children's Choir is one of the best-known and most successful children's choirs in Germany. The continuous professional work with the children is supported by the close cooperation with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The diverse musical spectrum ranges from the Renaissance to works of the 21st century and is also repeatedly presented in joint concerts.
With its a cappella repertoire, the choir can be experienced throughout Germany and internationally. In the fall of 2019, it traveled to central cities in the USA and Canada under the motto "Many Voices - One World" for the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The choir can also look back on concerts and workshops in Australia, Africa, the USA, the United Arab Emirates and Japan, among other places. Radio, film and television productions as well as numerous CD recordings round off the choir's diverse activities.
The prerequisite for the choir's high artistic level is intensive and comprehensive training. It can begin as early as preschool age; at the age of five, a child can be accepted and learn how to handle the voice, rhythm and notes. It starts playfully in the first two years, gradually the learning results increase, and approximately at the age of ten a child can sing in the big children's choir, participate in tours, master the whole spectrum of the children's choir repertoire. The careful training encourages each child and challenges them to show their ability. Currently, about 140 children sing in the various formations of the choir. Since 2012, it has been led by choir director Prof. Gunter Berger.
The Philharmonic Children's Choir has been awarded first prizes at numerous national and international competitions. In its hometown of Dresden, it hosts the biennial "International Children's Choir Festival".
