Chamber Choir of Carl von Ossitzky University, Oldenburg

Conductor: Silja Stegemeier

The Oldenburg University Chamber Choir was founded in 2022 and is a spin-off of the University Choir, which can look back on 30 years of existence. In its early days in 1990, the choir set itself the task of providing a platform for student and local composers and musicians to perform their works. A composition competition was organised every two to three years and was eventually continued by the Oldenburg composer Violeta Dinescu.

The change in leadership following the Covid years has led to a reorganisation of the UniChor’s work under the direction of Silja Stegemeier. Both University Choirs are open to people from all Institutes of the university, as well as to guests from outside the university, with the aim of providing fundamental vocal training and guiding the choir in performing pieces from various eras and genres. The University Choir is open to people with no prior musical training whatsoever.

The Chamber Choir aims to develop and enhance the musical skills of singers with prior choral and vocal experience, including those studying music. Following an audition, singers are accepted into the choir who are able to master even challenging choral works within a short space of time. The Chamber Choir’s repertoire features works from various stylistic periods. The choir has performed music by contemporaries of the university’s namesake. Using the ‘Vocal Painting’ method, the choir explores improvisation and has developed improvisations for a sound installation. Sacred works are performed in churches across Oldenburg, whilst pieces for choir and orchestra are rehearsed in collaboration with the University Orchestra. During the anniversary year marking the 50th birthday of the University of Oldenburg, pop songs from every decade were performed.
The chamber choir plays an active role in the university’s international activities; for example, the choir performed music from the countries of its partner universities in a concert. Visits from the partner university in Granada inspired the choir to sing flamenco pieces, whilst a visit by a choir from Eswatini led the choir to explore traditional songs and dances from southern Africa in joint workshops. The choir is characterised by a colourful repertoire of choral music that broadens the singers’ musical horizons. Through its integration into the teacher training programme, the Chamber Choir helps ensure that trainee teachers carry these experiences and knowledge out into society.

It is in the nature of university life that the choir’s membership is constantly changing, as students spend only a few years at university. What is particularly noteworthy in working with students at C.v.O. University is their openness to learning new things and their commitment to working towards a common goal. Thanks to the choir director, the chamber choir has developed into an ensemble of outstanding quality within a very short space of time, with the predominantly young voices and excellent intonation creating a sound all of its own. A major advantage here is the musical versatility of the students and other choir members. 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 becoming another flagship ensemble of the Institute of Music.

The theme for the winter semester 25/26 is co-operation with our partner university, Nelson Mandela University in Ggeberha, South Africa. Works by German composers from various eras and South African music will be interwoven, amongst other things, in a piece by the composer and lecturer in music theory Krystoffer Dreps, and placed under the theme of peace and international understanding – a tribute to the two figures after whom the universities are named, both Nobel Peace Prize laureates. The aim is to prevent the dark past from being forgotten, whilst at the same time looking positively towards a future of respect and understanding.

Anyone interested in joining is asked to contact the choir director ( ) to arrange an audition.