Chamber Choir of the Carl von Ossitzky University Oldenburg

Conductor: Silja Stegemeier

The University of Oldenburg Chamber Choir has been in existence since 2022 and is a spin-off of the University Choir, which can look back on 30 years of existence. In its beginnings in 1990, the choir set itself the task of giving student and local composers and musicians a forum for performances. A composition competition was organised every two to three years and was eventually continued by the Oldenburg composer Violeta Dinescu.

The change in leadership after the coronavirus years has led to a reorganisation of the UniChoir's work under the direction of Silja Stegemeier. Both University Choirs are aimed at people from all Institutes of the university and also guests from outside the university with the aim of providing basic vocal training and leading the choir to create pieces from different eras and genres. The UniChoir is open to people who have no previous musical training.

The chamber choir aims to learn and develop musical skills for singers with previous choral and singing experience, e.g. as part of their music studies. After an audition, singers are accepted into the choir who are able to work on challenging choral works in a short space of time. The repertoire of the chamber choir includes works from various stylistic periods. The choir portrayed music by contemporaries of the university's namesake. Using the vocal painting method, the choir approaches improvisation and has developed improvisations for a sound installation. Sacred works are performed in churches in Oldenburg, as well as works with choir and orchestra together with the University Orchestra. In the 50th anniversary year of the Carl von Ossietzky University, pop songs from every decade were sung.
The chamber choir is actively involved in the university's international activities, for example the choir performed music from the countries of the partner universities in a concert. Visits from the partner university Granada led the choir to sing flamenco sounds, and a visit from a choir from Eswatini allowed the choir to work on traditional songs and dances from southern Africa in joint workshops. The choir is characterised by a colourful palette of choral music that broadens the musical horizons of the singers. Due to its integration into the teacher training programme, the chamber choir helps prospective teachers to bring this experience and knowledge into society.

It is in the nature of university work that the members are constantly changing, as the students only spend a few years at the university. When working with students at the C.v.O. University, the openness to learning new things and the commitment to working towards a common goal. Thanks to the choirmaster, the chamber choir has developed into a qualitatively outstanding ensemble in a very short space of time, with the mostly young voices and excellent intonation creating a very unique sound. The musical versatility of the students and other choir members is a major plus. Many also play instruments and are active in various other ensembles.

Alongside the big band, percussion ensemble and pop and jazz choir, the chamber choir is developing into another flagship of the Institute of Music.

The winter semester 25/26 is dedicated to the co-operation with the partner university Nelson Mandela in Ggeberha/South Africa. Works by German composers from various eras and South African music will be interwoven in a work by composer and lecturer in music theory Krystoffer Dreps, among others, and placed under the theme of peace and international understanding, a tribute to the two namesakes of the universities, both Nobel Peace Prize winners. The focus is intended to prevent the dark past from being forgotten, while at the same time focussing positively on a future of respect and understanding.

If you are interested, please contact the choir director ( ) for an audition.