Participate
For those who want to do more than just listen.
Our participation opportunities allow active involvement in cultural life, creating participation structures and networking. Here, amateurs and professionals make music together on stage and we open our doors to young people who want to bring their own perspectives and ideas.
Club ohne Namen
We are committed to involving young people in cultural life. Therefore, young people between the ages of 14 and 20 have the opportunity to be creative in a newly founded club. In the group, you will visit rehearsals and concerts, and also accompany processes behind the scenes with your perspective. We open our doors, you decide: How often do you want to meet? Which musicians and team members do you want to meet? How would you like to be creative? Which of our topics should be put to the test? You decide what the club, currently without a name, will be called in the future.
Register and Information
If you are interested, please register using the online form.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at musikvermittlung(at)guerzenich-orchester.de
Eva Binkle
0173 8872978
Cologne Citizens' Choir
Singing is pure joy – especially when you sing together. And even more so when you can light up the Cologne Philharmonic Hall together with an orchestra. We want to make this wonderful experience accessible to as many people as possible, which is why we founded the Bürgerchor (Citizens' Choir). Here, people from all walks of life come together and prepare for a concert with the Gürzenich Orchestra.
Find out more about the Cologne Citizens' Choir in our mini-series – from the first rehearsals to the big performance at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall.
contact
Matthias Mehl
Anna Zirr
Jule Hardtmann
koelnerbuergerchor(at)gmail.com
Registration
Participation in this offer is free of charge. If you are interested, please register using the online form.
Registration
FAQ Citizens' Choir
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Friday, 11 september 2026, 8 p.m. | Season opening at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall
Sunday, 13 september 2026, 11 a.m. | Season opening at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall
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The exact rehearsal schedule is still to be announced.
The first rehearsals will take place on 22nd/23rd May 2026 and the rehearsal weekend on 12th/13th June 2026. -
As a singer in the citizens' choir, you should be able to sing! Ideally, you should already have choral experience. Regular and committed attendance at rehearsals is a prerequisite for participation in the citizens' choir. The minimum age is 18, but the most important requirement is of course to enjoy making music together.
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You can register using the form below starting March 16.
Apply now
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After submitting your application form, you will receive a confirmation email from us including an invitation to audition. Only after the audition will we let you know whether you have been selected for the citizens' choir. You will find out everything else during the audition on site.
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Anyone who is at least 18 years old can take part in the citizens' choir.
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The Bürgerchor will be conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada in the concert itself and shortly before the concert. However, the rehearsals will be conducted by someone else: after many years of collaboration with Michael Ostrzyga, Nico Köhs will take over the direction of our choir. We are looking forward to the upcoming projects with him and would like to thank Michael Ostrzyga for his valuable work.
Cologne Citizens' Orchestra
Playing in an orchestra – for many people in Cologne, this wish comes true in the Cologne Citizens' Orchestra. This initiative is a matter of the heart for the musicians of the orchestra. More than 40 of them work with the participants on the pieces and support them in preparing for the joint concert at the Cologne Philharmonie. Playing side by side with the professionals is a great motivation and a lot of fun. Because in the rehearsals, you not only learn a lot – there is also a lot to laugh about!
The musical level of the amateur musicians varies greatly. Passages that are too difficult are simplified, and the experienced musicians help the less experienced ones. The philosophy is: There is no competition.
FAQ Cologne Citizens' Orchestra
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The concert will take place on June 21, 2026, at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall.
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As a musician in the Bürgerorchester, you should have a good command of your instrument. Ideally, you will already have experience playing in an ensemble or orchestra. Regular and committed participation in rehearsals is a prerequisite for joining the Bürgerorchester. The minimum age is 16. But the most important requirement is, of course, enjoying making music together.
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Registration has expired
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After submitting your application using the form, you will receive a confirmation email from us stating that your application has been received. We will contact you after the registration deadline has passed.