Hochschule für Musik Detmold

The main building, 2008
Hochschule für Musik Detmold

The University of Music Detmold (German: Hochschule für Musik Detmold) is one of Germany's leading university-level schools of music, situated in Detmold, Germany.

Academics

The Hochschule offers performance degrees in composition, all orchestral instruments, piano, voice, opera, art-song, conducting, as well as degrees in church music and music education. Artistic Music Production - 'Musik-Tonmeister' - is also offered at the Erich-Thienhaus-Institut.

Structure

In 2007 there were 594 students matriculated, plus an additional 22 junior students. The Hochschule offers about 300 concerts per year. The present Director is Professor Martin Christian Vogel. In 2008 he was re-elected to a further appointment. Associate Directors are professors André Stärk and Norbert Stertz. Hans Bertels was appointed Chancellor in May 2007. In December 2006 the Hochschule für Music Detmold Foundation was formed to help finance extraordinary activities. An Alumni Association was founded in October 2006, present chairman is Prof. Martin Christoph Redel.

History

After initial planning that started in 1944, the Hochschule was founded in 1946 as Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie Detmold. In 1956 the name was officially expanded to Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie Detmold, Staatliche Hochschule für Musik. After the Hochschule in Münster and Dortmund were officially merged with the Detmold Hochschule, the name was changed again in 1972 to Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Westfalen-Lippe. Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie Detmold, with campuses in Münster and Dortmund. In 1987 the present name was given: Hochschule für Musik Detmold. In 2003, the Münster campus separated and became the Musikhochschule Münster and part of the Westfalian Wilhelms University of Münster. The Dortmund campus was closed in 2004. The first director was Professor Wilhelm Maler from 1946 to 1959. The second director was Dr. Martin Stephani from 1959 to 1980. Stephani was also professor of conducting and conductor of the Hochschule Orchestra.

Campus

The Hochschule has ten specifically equipped buildings at its disposal, which are arranged as a campus in and around the imposing Palais Gardens: string-players, wind-instruments, singers and percussionists have their own buildings; pianists and organists reside in the historic palace, where rehearsals and concerts for larger chamber music groups also take place. The musicologists work in an Art Nouveau building at the outskirts of the gardens, whereas music-education students and future music teachers hold their academic seminars in the technically excellently equipped Pädagogikhaus.

Also at the fringe of the campus, opera students may use the historic Sommertheater, to gain concert experience and the taste of a fully staged opera performance. The Erich-Thienhaus-Institute is built directly onto the large concert hall, which lies in the shadow of magnificent trees. The concert hall is equipped with a unique spatial audio rendering technique (Wave Field Synthesis). About 180 artists and teachers as well as the many national and international partners work at the Hochschule, laying an optimal foundation for the musical education of their students. Students from Detmold are very often found among prize-winners in competitions. They are represented not only in the contemporary classical music scene in all important opera houses and orchestras, but also work worldwide in prominent positions as teachers in universities, academies and music schools.

Mission statement

The Commission of the Hochschule für Musik Detmold approved the following mission statement in the Senate on Dec. 1, 2003:

The Hochschule für Musik Detmold combines in its capacity as whole-university 'Vollhochschule', artistic, educational and scientific competence at the highest level. The yardstick of all musical work is artistic excellence. This contributes internationally and also acts as a central carrier of culture for the city and the region. At the same time, the Hochschule für Musik Detmold is an active part of national and international cultural life. It reacts to its developments and changes in a creative way and with the necessary profiling of its training goals. It sees it as its duty to provide constructive contributions to the musical aesthetic education and takes responsibility for music appreciation and teaching of music in our society. Music training is dedicated to the individual promotion of musical excellence as well as the establishment of balanced, artistic and educational qualifications. The teachings take place in a creative environment and in a personal atmosphere. In doing so the students are always at the centre of all work. The courses allow the students to determine individual points of focus and thus promote their strengths. The content related fine tuning of the subjects, the cross linkage of the study courses and disciplines as well as the collaboration with universities and other cultural institutions in the region secure a high practical relevance and allow for attractive degrees. The Hochschule für Musik Detmold sees itself as an institution of cooperation. It conveys the friendly and cosmopolitan atmosphere of an internationally oriented university campus. Openness, helpfulness and tolerance are basic principles of coexistence in the university. The individuality, personality and the performance of teachers, students and staff are widely respected. This mutual respect creates a basis where all members of the university feel part of a community and identify themselves with their different tasks.

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

International relations

The Hochschule für Musik Detmold partners with the following institutions:

See also

External links