On 7 September 2026, the Gürzenich-Orchestra was awarded the »Healthy Orchestra« certificate. In doing so, we are setting an example for the health and long-term wellbeing of our musicians and embedding the concept of health promotion even more firmly into our orchestra’s day-to-day life.
A key part of the process leading to certification was the training of Ms Hiemeyer and Ms Richartz as health mentors. We warmly congratulate them both on successfully completing their training!
What is the »Healthy Orchestra« project all about?
The project has been run by the Schloss Kapfenburg Foundation since 2014. It is funded by the »mhplus« health insurance scheme.
Professional musicians perform at the very peak of their physical and mental abilities. To be equipped to meet these professional demands, orchestra musicians need the right tools – both physiologically and psychologically. After all, only those who feel physically and mentally well can realise their full potential and play music without discomfort.
The »Healthy Orchestra« project is dedicated to strengthening the health literacy and resilience of musicians in professional orchestras and promotes a mindful approach to managing their own physical and mental resources. This helps to prevent illnesses that specifically affect musicians.
The aim of the project is to embed preventive measures and health promotion sustainably within professional orchestras. This ensures that the potential of orchestra members is fully realised and that their health is promoted and maintained in the long term.
As part of the project, mentors are trained who, upon completion of their training, act as health mentors within the orchestra. Their role is to raise awareness of health issues amongst their colleagues and offer advice, to integrate preventive measures into the day-to-day routine of rehearsals, and to provide support in the area of workplace health promotion.
What qualifies us as a »healthy orchestra«?
Our certification process to become a »healthy orchestra« consisted of two stages.
In the first stage, two musicians, Ms Hiemeyer and Ms Richartz, completed the mentor training programme at Kapfenburg Castle. The content of the certified training programme is specifically tailored to the needs of professional orchestras and is led by experts in the relevant fields. Topics covered during the training included musicians’ health and health promotion, the health of orchestra musicians, body awareness, hearing protection, implementation in orchestral work, ergonomics when playing an instrument, and occupational health and safety.
