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. The association covers the costs 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!

Membership

Collegium Musicum Schloss Pommersfelden is a summer music academy for the promotion of young talent. At the academy, gifted young musicians have the opportunity to further their musical studies, develop their personalities and collaborate with other artists.
The castle’s baroque marble hall provides a unique setting for the young artists, who are given the opportunity to perform for an audience in orchestras and chamber music ensembles. In the inspiring atmosphere at Schloss Pommersfelden, young musicians who meet at the academy are sure to make a positive and personally enriching experience. Jenö Nyári is artistic director and manager of the event.
On the basis of a decision by the Bamberg finance department dated 25 September 1980, Collegium Musicum Schloss Pommersfelden, a registered association founded in 1958, is recognized as a non-profit organization and is therefore exempt from corporate tax pursuant to Corporate Tax Act (Körperschaftsteuergesetz KStG) § 5, para. 1, item 9, and from trade tax pursuant to Commercial Tax Act (Gewerbesteuergesetz GewStG) § 3, item 6. The professional development of talented young musicians is recognized as particularly worthy of promotion pursuant to the Income Tax Implementation Regulations (EStDV) Section A, no. 4, proviso 1 of Art. 48. Donation receipts for tax purposes may therefore be issued for donations made to the Collegium Musicum Schloss Pommersfelden.

Two types of memberships:
The minimum annual membership fee is € 50 for individual members and € 76 for organizations under public or private law. Every year, members receive the program by mail 14 days before tickets go on sale – and an opportunity to secure the best seats before they are made available to the public.
The minimum annual membership fee for supporting members is € 200. Supporting members receive the program as described above and also benefit from preferred seating from a reserved section up to three weeks before the start of the concert series.
Fees and donations should be transferred to the following account with Raiffeisenbank Ebrachgrund (IBAN: DE46 7706 9091 0000 1262 25.)
Membership fees and donations are tax deductible.

Directions

How to find us
If travelling by car, the Pommersfelden freeway exit is the shortest route to Schloss Pommersfelden.