Contact person for church music at the castle church
Castle Church Cantor KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch
Telephone: 03491-5069-315
eMail:
Introduction by KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch → Musical (un)retirement at the Wittenberg Castle Church
Philipp Spielmann, Director of Studies and Castle Church Cantor
Telephone: 03491-5069-314
Email:
Church Music Ensembles of the Castle Church
The choirs and instrumental ensembles of the Castle Church give witness to a spirited faith life of the church in worhsip and concerts through word and music. They invite visitors from near and far to take part in this spirit. A wide array of musical expressions, from traditional to contemporary, can be heard in the performances of the Schola Cantorum Adam Rener, the Gospel Choir, the Handbell Choir and the Brass Ensemble of the Castle Church.
Schola Cantorum Adam Rener
The choir owes its name to Adam Rener (c. 1482–1520), court Kapellmeister of Frederick the Wise. As a liturgical chamber choir, the Schola performs church services and evensongs, with a focus on a cappella literature. Special emphasis is placed on programs performed in collaboration with orchestra and soloists. After many years of leadership by Sarah Herzer and Thomas Herzer, Ulrich Hirtzbruch has been the director since November 2024.
Do you enjoy singing? We cordially invite you to our rehearsals in the Preachers' Seminary auditorium. They take place on Fridays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dates: August 29 | September 12 | September 20 (subject to availability) | September 26 | October 10 | October 29 (subject to availability)
Information from the Castle Church Cantor, KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch →
Gospelchor der Schlosskirche
Going 60 members strong, the Gospel Choir is the largest ensemble of the Castle Church and outfitted in „Gospel Choir purple“ not to be overlooked! The Gospel Choir has specialized in traditional gospel music and spirituals as well as new gospel music from the United States. Through its two choir tours to the United States, giving many concerts and taking part in workshops, the choir has grown immensely. In Wittenberg and the surrounding area, they lead worship and give concerts in various settings.
Choral Director: Castle Church Cantor KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch • The choir owes its name to the court conductor Adam Rener (around 1482 - 1520), who worked under Frederick the Wise. As a liturgical chamber choir, the Schola organizes church services and evensongs; one focus is on a cappella literature. Special emphasis is placed on programs in collaboration with orchestra and soloists. After many years of leadership by Sarah Herzer and Thomas Herzer, Ulrich Hirtzbruch has been in charge since November 2024.
Rehearsals take place every Saturday in the seminary auditorium from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dates: August 30th | September 13th | September 20th (postponed) | September 27th (postponed) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | October 11th | October 30th (postponed) Director: Castle Church Cantor KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch • eMail:
www.wittenberger-gospelchor.de
Handbell Ensemble of the Castle Church
Through the initiative of a Handbell Choir in California and the generosity of a Lutheran congregation in California, the Castle Church was able to found its own Handbell ensemble in 2011. Handbells - well-known instruments in the United States - are played in a „choir“. Each player has 2-4 bells to play. The now 12 players of our ensemble play these special instruments with joy and add that special touch to worship and concerts.
Rehearsals take place every Wednesday at the Christine Bourbeck House from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Director: Lukas Schulze (
Brass Ensemble of the Castle Church
The Brass Ensemble of the Castle Church adds a fresh sound to hymn accompaniments and worship music in its unique instrumentation – from trumpets and trombones to saxophones. They can be heard in festal worship services - such as the reformation day service – as well as in concerts and at festivals in and around the Castle Church. Rehearsals by appointment!
Ensemble Director: Klaus Vogelsang (
The organs of the Castle Church
The historic Ladegast organ built in 1863 can be found in the rear balcony. A complete modernisation of this romantic instrument in 1935 including the addition of an electro-pneumatic system and the addition of some new ranks, was not of lasting quality. In 1994 a complete restoration of the instrument and the addition of the third manual was carried out by the organ building company Eule from Bautzen. The organ now has a moveable console, a new electric action, 2 manuals and pedal, 18 ranks and 1400 pipes. The installation work in 2016 was also done by Schuke of Potsdam.
>> Disposition of the Ladegast organ (PDF-Document)
Clips
>> Rudnick - Bach - 1. Satz - Maestoso
The chancel organ was originally built in 1965 by the organ building company Schuke of Potsdam and had its place in the great hall of the Protestant Preaching Seminary. Due to the move of the Seminary into the Castle building, the organ was moved and installed behind the choir stalls in the Castle Church in 2016. The organ now has a moveable console, a new electric action, 2 manuals and pedal, 16 ranks and 1111 pipes! The installation work in 2016 was also done by Schuke of Potsdam.
>> Disposition of the chancel organ (Schuke, Potsdam) - (PDF-Document)
Clips