This commemorative publication examines the past and present of church music education in Halle from various perspectives. Franziska Seils reflects on the eventful history of the university in the post-war period and the GDR era up to the political change in 1989 and the founding of the university in 1990, both from an institutional and political perspective and with regard to the specific training conditions in relation to an ever-changing educational and artistic profile.
Matthias Jacob, himself a former student at the church music school, traces various facets of organ training from the school's founding in Aschersleben in 1926 to the end of the GDR. He addresses questions of pedagogy and the various organ schools, as well as the changing repertoire over time and the instruments available for training in Halle.
In three articles, Erik Dremel focuses on the former and current liturgical life of the Halle Church Music School and describes the history and present state of the training areas of hymnology and liturgical singing, two central subjects in church music education.
In a conversation with Hans-Jürgen Wulff, President of the Directors' Conference for Church Music, Peter Kopp, the current director of the University of Church Music in Halle, discusses the current profile, problems, opportunities and future prospects of both church music education and the profession of church musician. In further contributions, the current teachers of the choir and orchestra conducting department present this important area of practical music education in short statements, former students portray their organ teachers, and nine former and current students give insights into their respective studies and transition to professional life in short interviews. A chronicle of 100 years of church music education in Halle rounds off this diverse and richly illustrated commemorative publication.
