Collegium Musicum – Schloss Pommersfelden

Christian Thielemann, Klaus Thunemann, Marie-Luise Neunecker, Hans-Jörg Schellenberger, Roswitha Staege, Rainer Kussmaul, Othmar Mága, Lutz Herbig, Imogen Cooper…! All these world-famous musicians have taken part in the Summer Academy Collegium Musicum Schloss Pommersfelden, either as students, teachers, or conductors. They all have contributed to the summer academy’s recognized place on the music scene. It is known as the third oldest event of its kind in Europe. Since its inauguration in 1958 by Dr. Karl Count of Schönborn-Wiesentheid, the International Summer Academy has enjoyed an outstanding reputation worldwide.
Every year, young musicians aged 18 to 28 are invited to apply for participation. The selected applicants receive classes as well as room and board, free of charge. The association, also subsidized by the DAAD and the State of Bavaria, covers the cost of their stay. Schloss Weissenstein in Pommersfelden has been turned into a museum, and its owners, the Count and Countess of Schönborn-Wiesentheid, open its doors for the entire duration of the Summer Academy.

The “Music Academy-Orchestra”

At the beginning of the summer academy, a practice session for string and wind instrument players takes place with a piece of their choice to determine the concertmaster, the section leaders and the placement of lecterns. The young musicians have the opportunity to work with experienced conductors and music teachers. The program is not only designed for pleasure, it also carries a pedagogical value and enables the students to experience the life of professional musicians for four weeks.
Every week, a different program is rehearsed and presented to an audience at weekends.

Life at the castle

Schloss Weissenstein was built as a Baroque summer residence for the prince-bishop and archbishop Lothar Franz of Schönborn at the beginning of the 18th century. The castle, a renowned tourist destination, is still used as a private summer residence by Paul Count of Schönborn and his family and hosts the summer academy for four weeks.

Leisure time

The unique atmosphere of the castle, the beautiful park and its deer, and the rural landscape enchant anyone with an eye for beauty and artistic sensitivity. It is ideally situated for daily excursions to Bamberg or Nürnberg. Students can also relax at the local lake and nearby swimming pool.

Room & Board

Participants are accommodated in the castle and its adjoining buildings. They have to pay for their own travel expenses. An enthusiastic kitchen staff is responsible for preparing delicious meals. Free beverages, a washing machine, dryer and iron are at the students’ disposal whenever needed!

Conductors and Lecturers 2026

Conductors

Tadeusz Wojciechowski, Poland: Music Director, Copenhagen and Warsaw Opera

Prof. Dorian Keilhack, Germany/England

Raul Grüneis, Germany; Principal Conductor, Pomeranian Philharmonic Orchestra in Bydgoszcz, GMD Regensburg, Freiberg and Ankara (Turkey)

Irene Delgado-Jiménez, Spain       

Lecturers

Prof. Aleksei Dambrouski, Bassoon/Woodwind (Belarus); Principal Bassoonist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Morocco

Prof. Pablo Amoras, Piano (Spain); Director of the Ciudad de Málaga International Piano Competition

Prof. Herwig Zack, Violin (Germany); University of Music Würzburg

Prof. Jürgen Weber, Viola (Germany); Former Principal Violist of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and University of Music Munich

Prof. Ramon Jaffe, Cello (Latvia/Germany/Israel); University of Music Dresden

Prof. Márta Gulyás, Piano (Hungary); Liszt Ferenc Academy in Budapest, Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía

Prof. Roman Spitzer, Viola (Israel); Principal Violist of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Tel Aviv Academy/Rotterdam Codarts University

Prof. Damiano Scarpia, Cello (Italy); Principal Cellist of the Fondazione Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Steffani Conservatory of Music in Castelfranco Veneto

Prof. Eva Bindere, Violin (Latvia); Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and Accademia Perosi Biella, Italy

Prof. Christoph Eß, Horn (Germany); Principal Horn of the Bamberger Symphoniker, Professor of Horn at the University of Music Würzburg

Prof. Dorian Keilhack, Artistic Director of Collegium Musicum Schloss Pommersfelden (Germany/England) and Innsbruck State Conservatory/Mozarteum Salzburg, Innsbruck department

Registration 2027

The application form for the 70th International Summer Academy in Pommersfelden:

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