Peter Habermann was a member of the Dresden Kreuzchor, studied singing and vocal pedagogy and worked for 40 years as a singing teacher at what is now the Landesgymnasium für Musik in Wernigerode. He conducted several choirs, including the children's choir at the Landesgymnasium Wernigerode and the Wernigerode Radio Youth Choir for over 20 years, with which he won first prizes and awards at national and international choir competitions. He founded the Kammerchor Wernigerode from former members of this choir, which achieved nationwide fame by winning the Grand Prix of Choirs on ZDF. By directing the Drübeck male choir, he also demonstrated his commitment to amateur music-making. Several CD recordings of his ensembles as well as concert tours alongside other tasks as a juror for various singing and choir competitions, as a lecturer, arranger and speaker rounded off his varied activities until 2021. He has been Artistic Director of the International Johannes Brahms Choir Festival & Competition in Wernigerode for five years.

RoxorLoops, also known as Senjka Danhieux, is one of the pioneers of modern beatboxing and the first-ever Vice World Champion. With a background in vocal music and a deep love for rhythm, he has spent the past two decades pushing the boundaries of what the human voice can do. He has a long history of working with choirs and vocal groups, bringing beatboxing into vocal music in a playful and powerful way. RoxorLoops has performed with artists like Bobby McFerrin, Zap Mama, the Swingle Singers, the Real Group, and Eivør and has also represented Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest with a song he composed for his a cappella group. These days, he performs in the duo RoxorLoops & Jasmin, blending beatboxing and vocals in creative pop arrangements. He’s also a passionate teacher and workshop leader, helping singers and choirs explore new ways to use their voices—especially rhythmically. Whether on stage or in a rehearsal room, RoxorLoops brings energy, playfulness, and a strong sense of musicality.

Jan Míšek,born 1976, gained his first experience as choirmaster by leading the preparatory section of Boni pueri. His professors of conducting were Jiří Skopal (University of Hradec Králové) and Vlastislav Novák (Conservatory Pardubice). He is a particpant of several masterclasses (Gert Frischmuth, Gábor Hollerung, Friedrich Krell, Robert Sund, Jerry Jordan, Petr Vronský) including masterclasses at the Bachakademie Stuttgart with Helmuth Rilling. He went on to found the choir of the J. K. Tyl School in 1993 and then took his place at the head of the Kantiléna Chamber Choir before prompting the establishment of the Hradec Králové Male Chorus. He is a founder and leader of the BONIFANTES Boys Choir, Pardubice. Jan Míšek has been awarded with a number of awards for outstanding conducting performances. He and his choirs have won dozens of gold medals at various international competitions.

Address: Schönebecker Str. 129, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

The Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg offers excellent conditions for the performance of classical chamber music ranging from baroque to contemporary and modern. As a municipal " Haus der Musik" (House of Music), the chamber music venue plays a central role in cultivating music in Saxony-Anhalt’s capital city of Magdeburg. This corresponds to the ideas of the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who designed the house entirely in the spirit of the city’s founders as a venue for entertainment, festivities, and concerts. The two halls of the Gesellschaftshaus make the performance of a wide range of musical programs possible by providing versatile acoustics suited for both instrumental and vocal ensembles of various styles. With the Center for Telemann Care and Research, the Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg is home to a research institute of international repute. Thanks to these excellent facilities, four subscription series of baroque, piano and chamber music as well as the Central German Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra to date have been held in the Gesellschaftshaus. Additionally, the house plays host to various festivals with the participation of internationally renowned performers, a series of children’s concerts, and CD productions. Last but not least, the Gesellschaftshaus offers its rehearsal and performance venues to gifted amateur ensembles.

Photos: Gesellschaftshaus

Address: Johannisbergstraße 1, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

The church was first referred to under the name of Sankt Johannis in 1160. The oldest merchant's church in Germany was destroyed several times and rebuilt time after time and became known primarily through the sermon of the reformer Martin Luther on June 26, 1524, with which Protestantism entered Magdeburg. On September 28, 1944 and January 16, 1945, the church was severely damaged during air raids on Magdeburg during World War II. After the war, clean-up began in 1953. In 2004, successive repairs were completed and the church was fully restored. Since then it has been used as a festival and concert hall of the city of Magdeburg. The bronze statue of Martin Luther in front of the church was created by Emil Hundrieser in 1886. For a time, the inscription "Doctor Martin Luther +1524+" was located at the base of the monument. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Germany in 1989, the monument received the inscription " Gottes Wort mit uns in Ewigkeit" ("God's word with us forever").

Photos: Andreas Lander

Wednesday, September 16
6:00 PM | Johanniskirche

The official start of the international competition and festival. A first meeting of arriving choirs with musical performances and speeches.

Address: Johannisbergstraße 1, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

Wednesday, September 16
8:00 PM | Hasselbachplatz

How about a musical nighttime excursion following the Opening Concert?

Join in singing and comradery with choirs from the region and abroad in local bars and pubs.

Listen in a relaxed atmosphere, engage in international exchange, and sing together in the heart of Magdeburg.

Interested to join? Contact us for the details!

Address: Hasselbachplatz, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

Thursday, September 17
8:00 PM | Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen (Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption)

Lux Aeterna – Sound. Space. Light.

An extraordinary concert experience awaits you in the church of the monastery: Lux Aeterna, an immersive, all-encompassing piece of artistry that combines solo violin, vocal ensemble, electronics, and video art.

Violinist Miranda Cuckson, Auditiv Vokal under Olaf Katzer, and visual artist Korvin Reich create an impressive fusion of sound and image based on concepts by C. René Hirschfeld and Korvin Reich.

The compositions resound in varying directions, and the space itself becomes an instrument adorned with projections that transform architecture into a fluctuating landscape of light and sound. The finale, Hirschfeld's Lux Aeterna for violin, three choir groups, and electronics, was composed specifically for the architecture and acoustics of the church of the monastery.

Address: Regierungsstraße 4-6, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

Friday, September 18
7:00 PM | Hyparschale Magdeburg

Celebrate the diversity of choirs and intercultural exchange between ensembles in a concert where there is something for everyone, here in the Hyparschale Magdeburg.

The Hyparschale Magdeburg is an extraordinary concert venue for the Long Night of Choirs. Featuring distinctive architecture, open spatial design, and clear acoustics, it brings the diversity of choral sound vividly to life and helps create a special sense of belonging between choirs and audiences.

The ensembles and choirs participating in this concert will be selected for this occasion.

The choir party – immediately following the Long Night of Choirs in the Hyparschale – will be an opportunity to toast all the moving performances and competition achievements, as well as to have meaningful exchanges, to celebrate together, to dance, and to enjoy the company of all the attending choirs.

All choirs participating in the festival are invited!

Address: Kleiner Stadtmarsch 7, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany

Saturday, September 19
11:00 AM | Old Town Hall, Hundertwasser House, Leiterstrasse (Leiter Street), SWM-Nachbars Garten (SWM Neighbor’s Garden), Allee-Center

Melodies in Minutes – experience the colorful world of choral music in miniature concerts.

Choirs of all backgrounds and ages are invited to present a program of 15-20 minutes.

The program will begin in the Empress Adelheid Foyer in Magdeburg’s former Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), then continue in various locations throughout the city – such as in the courtyard of the Hundertwasser House, in Leiterstrasse, at the SWM-Nachbars Garten, and in the Allee-Center.

Saturday, September 19
7:00 PM | Theater Magdeburg – Opera House

This year, the choral symphony concert – a true classic of the International Choir Festival – invites you on a musical journey through the world of film.

The evening will offer fascinating insight into the entire cinematic spectrum of singing and choral sound – from intimate solo moments to powerful choral movements: an evening that lets great emotions, iconic melodies, and unforgettable film scenes flourish and bloom.

Surround yourself in a soundscape of harmonies and journey to Middle Earth (the Lord of the Rings), command the roaring seas (Pirates of the Caribbean) explore new frontiers (Star Wars, Winnetou, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly) and enjoy top-hits and tearjerkers alike (“Paint it Black” Wednesday, “Gabriella’s Song” As It Is in Heaven).

Address: Universitätspl. 9, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

Saturday, September 19
9:30 PM | Theater Magdeburg – Opera House

Join in a sing-along concert to round out the last evening of the festival. All singing enthusiasts and alike are invited into the theater after the choral symphony concert to sing evening songs together. Admission is free-of-charge.

Address: Universitätspl. 9, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

Sunday, September 20
3:00 PM | Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg

The family concert at the close of the International Choir Festival serves as an interactive concert format that gives families the opportunity to approach choral music in a playful way and to make music together with participating choirs.

Children’s and youth choirs are especially encouraged to apply and participate in this afternoon activity, which should include at least 1-2 sing-along pieces per choir.

Address: Schönebecker Str. 129, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany