Past events
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Choirs wanted: Vielstimmig III – Bringing the Humboldt Forum to life on April 18 and 19, 2026

Choirs will sing their repertoire in exhibitions and perform new pieces together in the large foyer: After two successful editions, the third edition of the Vielstimmig festival with choirs from Berlin will take place at the Humboldt Forum in April 2026.

What is it like to sing surrounded by houses from Oceania? How does it feel to sing in front of the centuries-old mural “The Buddha’s Sermon” by Chinese court painter Ding Guangpeng? How does the large foyer sound when a choral work resounds from all sides?

The Humboldt Forum, together with the Berlin Choir Association, is looking for ten Berlin choirs who will get to know the entire building as a “sound space” in spring 2026, meet for several rehearsal weekends, and sing throughout the building on April 18 and 19.

Thematically, the 2026 festival is inspired by the Humboldt Forum’s annual theme: “Beziehungsweise: Familie” (Relationships: Family). Whether a haven of peace and security or a breeding ground for conflict and trauma, family touches everyone and leaves no one indifferent. The third edition of Vielstimmig musically illuminates the changing web of relationships that the complex system of family triggers in us humans – even if only through its absence. We are looking for songs about the nuclear family, family celebrations, and patchwork families: the repertoire of compositions dedicated to this complex of themes seems endless. The Humboldt Forum invites interested choirs to explore this theme and express themselves individually. We warmly invite you to a melodious, polyphonic, and unifying choir weekend!

We are looking for ten Berlin choirs representing as wide a variety of genres and line-ups as possible. We invite you to engage in a mutual exchange and explore the Berlin Palace and the annual theme “beziehungsweise: Familie” (relationships: family) through music. The project consists of two concert days on the weekend of April 18 and 19, as well as joint rehearsals on site at the Humboldt Forum, including in the public areas of the Humboldt Forum – see schedule.

In addition to these public rehearsals, a second, central part of the rehearsal work will be the development of three joint works with all participating choirs under the artistic direction of Anna-Lena Bolz. These pieces will then be performed several times in the large foyer on the final weekend.

Are you interested? Do you have a passion for singing and the time needed to participate in the project? Do you sing a cappella, would you like to network with other choirs, think beyond the boundaries of your own genre and repertoire, and get to know this special venue in all its diversity? Then get in touch with us by September 29, 2025, and we will be happy to provide you with further information. An expense allowance is provided for the participating choirs.

Join us in bringing the Humboldt Forum to life with song!

Vielstimmig III – Rehearsal schedule

Anfang Dezember 2025

Early December 2025

Meeting with choir directors: inspection of performance venues

January 17–18, 2026
Kick-off meeting of all choirs at the HUF and first rehearsals at the Humboldt Forum

March 14–15, 2026
Rehearsals at the Humboldt Forum

April 13, 2026

Main rehearsal at the Humboldt Forum

April 16, 2026

Dress rehearsal at the Humboldt Forum

April 18/19, 2026
Final event weekend VIELSTIMMIG III

Registration until September 29, 2025

Artistic director: Anna-Lena Bolz
Dramaturgy & moderation: Kaspar v. Erffa
Artistic coordination: Hannah Ginsburg

For registration and questions, please contact the CVB office at [email protected].

Participants

Partners

A collaboration with the Berlin Choir Association

The Berlin Choir Association (Chorverband Berlin e.V.) is the largest amateur music organisation in the capital and the most important forum for Berlin’s amateur choir scene.

With its diverse activities, it works intensively as a professional association, event organiser and funding body to promote grassroots, popular and youth work, creating the necessary conditions for excellence within its own ranks.

Chorverband Berlin
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